Cold Seep Research

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Cold Seep Research at MBARI S. Goffredi and V.
Orphan
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Scientists at MBARI are involved in many
different projects, including.
Ecology - both Midwater and Benthic Benthic
Biology Biological Oceanography Microbiology
(Picoplankton Studies) Molecular
Biology Protozoan Biology Toxicology
Studies Phytoplankton Studies Biogeochemistry
(Upper Ocean and Benthic) Coastal Upwelling
Research
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The Benthic Ecology group studies areas known as
cold seeps,
122 30'
122 20'
122 10'
122 00'
121 50'
Monterey Bay
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S a n t a C r u z
Cold Seeps
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Mt. Crushmore
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Invert Cliff


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Tubeworm City
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Clam Flat


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Clam Field
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Axial Valley
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10 km
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122 30'
122 20'
122 10'
122 00'
121 50'
within Monterey Bay.
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What is a cold seep?
Places where energy-rich fluids are out of
the ocean floor due to the geology of the
underlying sediments or due to the physiological
functioning of the subsurface microbial
community.
seeping
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What is a cold seep?
Places where energy-rich fluids are out of
the ocean floor due to the geology of the
underlying sediments or due to the physiological
functioning of the subsurface microbial
community.
seeping
In the late 1970s scientists discovered novel
deep-sea ecosystems fueled primarily by hydrogen
sulfide oxidation (chemosynthetic), rather than
by plant photosynthesis. In Monterey Bay,
sulfide-rich systems, teeming with
chemosynthetically supported life were first
discovered in the 1980's near 3200 meters depth.
Since then, scientists have focused on a number
of shallower cold seep areas in Monterey Bay
where dense invertebrate communities have been
found.
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Cold Seeps in Monterey Bay
Most life on earth is fueled directly or
indirectly by sunlight. There are, however,
small ecosystems, such as the seeps in Monterey
Bay, that depend on bacteria whose life
functions are fueled not by the sun but by
simple inorganic chemicals, like hydrogen
sulfide.
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Cold Seeps in Monterey Bay
Most life on earth is fueled directly or
indirectly by sunlight. There are, however,
small ecosystems, such as the seeps in Monterey
Bay, that depend on bacteria whose life
functions are fueled not by the sun but by
simple inorganic chemicals, like hydrogen
sulfide.
The dominant members of the animal community in
these areas are often those living in
association with bacterial symbionts, and
encompass a wide range of phyla, including worms
and clams.
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What types of questions are MBARI researchers
asking about these environments?
?
?
?
?
Free living bacteria
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MBARI scientists study the chemistry of the deep
sea world
Here, the ROV deploys a device used to capture
seawater Scientists can collect this water and
analyze it for chemical compounds back in the
laboratory.
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How do we study the bottom of the ocean?
Remotely operated vehicles -ROVs allow us to
send our brain (and hands) to the sea floor
Here, scientists are collecting sediment samples
using the ROV manipulator
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Once the sediment cores have been brought to the
surface by the ROV, scientists process the cores
for chemical and microbiological analyses.
Here, an MBARI researcher cuts the core into
sections inside a no-oxygen atmosphere glove
box
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Sediment Core from a methane-rich Monterey cold
seep
This is a chemistry profile from the core
Bacteria feed on methane and sulfate
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See How
H2S
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments is utilized by
anaerobic bacteria
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments is utilized by
anaerobic bacteria
18
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments is utilized by
anaerobic bacteria
19
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments is utilized by
anaerobic bacteria
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
As energy-rich seawater sulfate diffuses into
sediments, it is consumed by anaerobic bacteria
along with methane

Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
As energy-rich seawater sulfate diffuses into
sediments, it is consumed by anaerobic bacteria
along with methane

Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
As energy-rich seawater sulfate diffuses into
sediments, it is consumed by anaerobic bacteria
along with methane

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4 METHANE
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
As CH4 and SO4 are consumed, large amounts of
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are produced
CH4 METHANE
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
As CH4 and SO4 are consumed, large amounts of
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are produced
CH4 METHANE
25
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
As CH4 and SO4 are consumed, large amounts of
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are produced
CH4 METHANE
CO2
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
H2S HYDROGEN SULFIDE

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
As CH4 and SO4 are consumed, large amounts of
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are produced
CH4 METHANE
CO2
27
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
H2S HYDROGEN SULFIDE

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
As CH4 and SO4 are consumed, large amounts of
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are produced
CH4 METHANE
CO2
28
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
H2S HYDROGEN SULFIDE

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
As CH4 and SO4 are consumed, large amounts of
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are produced
CH4 METHANE
CO2
29
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
H2S HYDROGEN SULFIDE

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
As CH4 and SO4 are consumed, large amounts of
hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are produced
CH4 METHANE
CO2
30
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM COMMUNITIES
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
H2S HYDROGEN SULFIDE

SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
EXCUSE ME!
H2S
CH4 METHANE
CO2
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How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CLAM SYMBIONTS CAN THEN USE THE SULFIDE PRODUCED
BY THE BACTERIA (plus oxygen) TO LIVE
O2 OXYGEN
SO4 SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
H2S HYDROGEN SULFIDE
SO4
Methane-oxidizing Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
EXCUSE ME!
H2S
CH4 METHANE
CO2
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How do other organisms take advantage of
bacterially produced sulfide?...
Its called chemosynthesis
The process in which carbohydrates are
manufactured from carbon dioxide and water using
chemical nutrients as the energy source, rather
than the sunlight used for energy in
photosynthesis.
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How do other organisms take advantage of
bacterially produced sulfide?...
Its called chemosynthesis
The process in which carbohydrates are
manufactured from carbon dioxide and water using
chemical nutrients as the energy source, rather
than the sunlight used for energy in
photosynthesis.
During Photosynthesis - green plants produce
organic carbon compounds from carbon dioxide and
water, using sunlight as energy. These
compounds can then enter the food chain.
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How do other organisms take advantage of
bacterially produced sulfide?...
Its called chemosynthesis
The process in which carbohydrates are
manufactured from carbon dioxide and water using
chemical nutrients as the energy source, rather
than the sunlight used for energy in
photosynthesis.
During Photosynthesis - green plants produce
organic carbon compounds from carbon dioxide and
water, using sunlight as energy. These
compounds can then enter the food chain.
During Chemosynthesis - hydrogen sulfide is the
energy source and it is either taken up by
free-living bacteria or absorbed by the host
invertebrates, and transported to the symbionts.
The bacteria use the energy from sulfide to fuel
the same cycle that plants use, again resulting
in organic carbon compounds
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How do other organisms take advantage of
bacterially produced sulfide?...
Its called chemosynthesis
The process in which carbohydrates are
manufactured from carbon dioxide and water using
chemical nutrients as the energy source, rather
than the sunlight used for energy in
photosynthesis.
During Photosynthesis - green plants produce
organic carbon compounds from carbon dioxide and
water, using sunlight as energy. These
compounds can then enter the food chain.
During Chemosynthesis - hydrogen sulfide is the
energy source and it is either taken up by
free-living bacteria or absorbed by the host
invertebrates, and transported to the symbionts.
The bacteria use the energy from sulfide to
fuel the same cycle that plants use, again
resulting in organic carbon compounds
What kinds of organisms in Monterey Bay use
chemosynthesis for survival?...
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Large bacterial mats use sulfide for energy
Scientists study these bacterial mats in order
to determine the taxonomy, morphology,
environmental setting, and ultrastructure of
these fascinating organisms.
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Scientists at MBARI study these bacteria using a
variety of microscopic techniques, including.
Fluorescence microscopy
Scanning electron microscopy
Light microscopy
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Large communities of clams and worms also use
sulfide for energy
MBARI scientists are studying these animals to
better understand the physiology, ecology, and
energetics of these animal communities.
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These clams and worms dont have stomachs or
mouths!! How do they survive?
Its called symbiosis
Living together of organisms of different
species. The term usually applies to a dependent
relationship that is beneficial to both members
(also called mutualism). Symbiosis may occur
between plants, animals and/or bacteria
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These clams and worms dont have stomachs or
mouths!! How do they survive?
Its called symbiosis
Living together of organisms of different
species. The term usually applies to a dependent
relationship that is beneficial to both members
(also called mutualism). Symbiosis may occur
between plants, animals and/or bacteria
At seep sites, it is common for bacteria and
animals to form symbiotic associations. Young
animals acquire their bacterial symbionts either
from their parents or from swallowing them in sea
water.
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These clams and worms dont have stomachs or
mouths!! How do they survive?
Its called symbiosis
Living together of organisms of different
species. The term usually applies to a dependent
relationship that is beneficial to both members
(also called mutualism). Symbiosis may occur
between plants, animals and/or bacteria
At seep sites, it is common for bacteria and
animals to form symbiotic associations. Young
animals acquire their bacterial symbionts either
from their parents or from swallowing them in sea
water.
42
These clams and worms dont have stomachs or
mouths!! How do they survive?
Its called symbiosis
Living together of organisms of different
species. The term usually applies to a dependent
relationship that is beneficial to both members
(also called mutualism). Symbiosis may occur
between plants, animals and/or bacteria
At seep sites, it is common for bacteria and
animals to form symbiotic associations. Young
animals acquire their bacterial symbionts either
from their parents or from swallowing them in sea
water.
Gulp!
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These clams and worms dont have stomachs or
mouths!! How do they survive?
Its called symbiosis
Living together of organisms of different
species. The term usually applies to a dependent
relationship that is beneficial to both members
(also called mutualism). Symbiosis may occur
between plants, animals and/or bacteria
Once inside, the bacteria and animal host become
partners. The bacteria multiply within the host,
eventually integrating completely. The animal
benefits from food produced by the bacteria and
the symbiont benefits from the shelter and stable
environment provided by the host.
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Seep clams are no ordinary clams!!
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Seep clams are no ordinary clams!!
Ordinary clam
Clam chowder - yum -
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Seep clams are no ordinary clams!!
Ordinary clam
Extraordinary clam
Clam chowder - yum -
Rotten eggs - yuck -
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Adductor muscles
Mantle
Gills (symbionts)
Foot
Siphons
Unlike other animals, these clams must take up
carbon dioxide (through their enlarged gills)
and sulfide (through their foot) in order meet
the needs of their symbionts.
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In addition to strictly seep animals, a variety
of other animals benefit from foraging within
seep sites. These include.
Sea urchins
Crabs
Sea cucumbers
King crabs
Brittle stars
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MBARI researchers continue to study Monterey
Bay using an interdisciplinary approach,
combining biology, with chemistry, geology, and
engineering, in hopes of gaining a better
understanding of our worlds oceans