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Lookup NU author(s): Dr William Reid, Dr Christopher Sweeting
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Hydrothermal sediments are those in which hydrothermal fluid is discharged through sediments and are one of the least studied deep-sea ecosystems. We present a combination of microbial and biochemical data to assess trophodynamics between and within hydrothermal and background areas of the Bransfield Strait (1050 – 1647m depth). Microbial composition, biomass and fatty acid signatures varied widely between and within hydrothermally active and background sites, providing evidence of diverse metabolic activity. Several species had different feeding strategies and trophic positions between hydrothermally active and inactive areas and stable isotope values of consumers were not consistent with feeding morphology. Niche area and the diversity of microbial fatty acids was lowest at the most hydrothermally active site, reflecting trends in species diversity. Faunal uptake of chemosynthetically produced 29 organics was relatively limited but was detected at both hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal sites, potentially suggesting hydrothermal activity can affect trophodynamics over a much wider area than previously thought.
Author(s): Bell JB, Reid WDK, Pearce DA, Glover AG, Sweeting CJ, Newton J, Woulds C
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Biogeosciences
Year: 2017
Volume: 14
Pages: 5705-5725
Print publication date: 20/12/2017
Online publication date: 01/08/2017
Acceptance date: 06/11/2017
Date deposited: 06/11/2017
ISSN (print): 1726-4170
ISSN (electronic): 1726-4189
Publisher: Copernicus GmbH
URL: https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-5705-2017
DOI: 10.5194/bg-14-5705-2017
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