Stable Isotope Studies in Marine Chemoautotrophically Based Ecosystems: An Update

Dover, Cindy Lee Van

doi:10.1002/9780470691854.ch8

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…Both vent and seep assemblages are fuelled by chemoautolithotrophic bacteria and archaea. However, the carbon fixation pathways and sources can differ at vents and seeps, and often yield distinct isotopic signatures [47]. Carbon fixation fuelled by sulphide oxidation is the most widespread metabolic pathway in both ecosystems, and usually generates intermediate d 13 C signatures from 222 to 235 ‰.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hydrothermal seep on the Costa Rica margin: middle ground in a continuum of reducing ecosystems

et al. 2012

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Upon their initial discovery, hydrothermal vents and methane seeps were considered to be related but distinct ecosystems, with different distributions, geomorphology, temperatures, geochemical properties and mostly different species. However, subsequently discovered vents and seep systems have blurred this distinction. Here, we report on a composite, hydrothermal seep ecosystem at a subducting seamount on the convergent Costa Rica margin that represents an intermediate between vent and seep ecosystems. Diffuse flow of shimmering, warm fluids with high methane concentrations supports a mixture of microbes, animal species, assemblages and trophic pathways with vent and seep affinities. Their coexistence reinforces the continuity of reducing environments and exemplifies a setting conducive to interactive evolution of vent and seep biota.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hydrothermal seep on the Costa Rica margin: middle ground in a continuum of reducing ecosystems

et al. 2012

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“…The main technique that has been used to identify the type of chemosynthesis-based energy consumed by these communities is stable isotopic analysis (Van Dover et al 2007), although fatty acid (FA) analysis can provide additional information as to the diet of different species (Dalsgaard et al 2003). Due to enzymatic preferential incorporation of 12 C over 13 C, both metabolic substrate and fixation pathways impart a distinctive, although sometimes overlapping, carbon isotopic signature.…”

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confidence: 99%

Microbes, macrofauna, and methane: A novel seep community fueled by aerobic methanotrophy

Thurber

Levin

Rowden

et al. 2013

Limnology & Oceanography

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During the discovery and description of seven New Zealand methane seep sites, an infaunal assemblage dominated by ampharetid polychaetes was found in association with high seabed methane emission. This ampharetid-bed assemblage had a mean density of 57,000 6 7800 macrofaunal individuals m 22 and a maximum wet biomass of 274 g m 22 , both being among the greatest recorded from deep-sea methane seeps. We investigated these questions: Does the species assemblage present within these ampharetid beds form a distinct seep community on the New Zealand margin? and What type of chemoautotrophic microbes fuel this heterotrophic community? Unlike the other macro-infaunal assemblages, the ampharetid-bed assemblage composition was homogeneous, independent of location. Based on a mixing model of species-specific mass and isotopic composition, combined with published respiration measurements, we estimated that this community consumes 29-90 mmol C m 22 d 21 of methane-fueled biomass; this is . 290 times the carbon fixed by anaerobic methane oxidizers in these ampharetid beds. A fatty acid biomarker approach supported the finding that this community, unlike those previously known, consumes primarily aerobic methanotrophic bacteria. Due to the novel microbial fueling and high methane flux rates, New Zealand's ampharetid beds provide a model system to study the influence of metazoan grazing on microbially mediated biogeochemical cycles, including those that involve greenhouse gas emissions.

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“…Reliance on chemoautotrophic production fueled by hydrocarbon seepage rather than photosynthetically derived carbon may be dictated by differences in fluid flow rates and seepage (Van Dover, 2007), as thermogenic hydrocarbons are known to be widespread in the surface sediments throughout the continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico (MacDonald and others, 1989).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stable isotope analysis has proven useful in discerning nutritional modes and can provide basic information about primary carbon sources fueling seep communities (see reviews in Conway and others, 1994;Van Dover, 2007). Different carbon fixation pathways involve distinct carbon isotopic fractionation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deepwater Program: Studies of Gulf of Mexico lower continental slope communities related to chemosynthetic and hard substrate habitats

Ross¹,

Demopoulos²,

Kellogg³

et al. 2012

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Stable Isotope Studies in Marine Chemoautotrophically Based Ecosystems: An Update

Cited by 14 publications

References 111 publications

A hydrothermal seep on the Costa Rica margin: middle ground in a continuum of reducing ecosystems

A hydrothermal seep on the Costa Rica margin: middle ground in a continuum of reducing ecosystems

Microbes, macrofauna, and methane: A novel seep community fueled by aerobic methanotrophy

Deepwater Program: Studies of Gulf of Mexico lower continental slope communities related to chemosynthetic and hard substrate habitats

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