Cowen, James P.; Giovannoni, Stephen J.; Kenig, Fabien; Johnson, H. Paul; Butterfield, David; Rappe, Michael S.; Hutnak, Michael; Lam, Phyllis (2003): Fluids from aging ocean crust that support microbial life. American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC, United States, Science, 299 (5603), 120-123, georefid:2003-021712

Abstract:
Little is known about the potential for life in the vast, low-temperature (<100 degrees C) reservoir of fluids within mid-ocean ridge flank and ocean basin crust. Recently, an overpressured 300-meter-deep borehole was fitted with an experimental seal (CORK) delivering crustal fluids to the sea floor for discrete and large-volume sampling and characterization. Results demonstrate that the 65 degrees C fluids from 3.5-million-year-old ocean crust support microbial growth. Ribosomal RNA gene sequence data indicate the presence of diverse Bacteria and Archaea, including gene clones of varying degrees of relatedness to known nitrate reducers (with ammonia production), thermophilic sulfate reducers, and thermophilic fermentative heterotrophs, all consistent with fluid chemistry.
Coverage:
West: -127.4526 East: -127.4526 North: 47.4556 South: 47.4556
Relations:
Expedition: 168
Site: 168-1026
Data access:
Provider: SEDIS Publication Catalogue
Data set link: http://sedis.iodp.org/pub-catalogue/index.php?id=10.1126/science.1075653 (c.f. for more detailed metadata)
Data download: application/pdf
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