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Microbial endolithic colonization and the geochemical environment in young seafloor basalts
DOI:
10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.09.015
Authors:
Charles S.
Cockell
(Open University)
,
Peter
Van Calsteren
(Open University)
,
Fred W.
Mosselmans
(Diamond Light Source)
,
Ian
Franchi
(Open University)
,
Iain
Gilmour
(Open University)
,
Laura
Kelly
(Open University)
,
Karen
Olsson
(Open University)
,
Diane
Johnson
(Open University)
,
Jc24
Shipboard Scientific Party
Co-authored by industrial partner:
No
Type:
Journal Paper
Journal:
Chemical Geology
State:
Published (Approved)
Published:
October 2010
Abstract: The colonization and weathering of young seafloor basaltic glass from the mid-Atlantic Ridge was examined. Microorganisms were localised to fractures in the surface of the basalt and grew on the surfaces of material in the fractures. XAS, Raman Spectroscopy and NanoSIMS analysis of the fracture-filling material shows that it contains non-crystallised iron-enriched altered glass and poorly ordered iron oxides. Organisms, which in places develop into contiguous biofilms, develop on the surface of the material. No putative biogenic alteration textures were observed in the basaltic glass at the fracture boundaries suggesting that the microbial community is restricted to the secondary alteration products. Microbial culturing shows the presence of heterotrophic bacteria including Sufitobacter and Halomonas consistent with observations of photic zone detritus associated with fracture-filling material. These data show that the interior of fresh basaltic glass is an endolithic habitat for microorganisms, but that the glass itself is not a primary source of cations or energy for the developing communities.
Journal Keywords: Basaltic Glass; Endoliths; Palagonite; Mid-Atlantic Rift; Bacteria
Subject Areas:
Environment,
Chemistry
Instruments:
I18-Microfocus Spectroscopy
Added On:
07/10/2010 08:22
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