Chemosynthetic Environments University of Dayton化学合成的环境戴顿大学.ppt

Chemosynthetic Environments Katrina Pekar What is it? Chemosynthesis: The synthesis of organic compounds by energy derived from chemical changes or reactions Autotrophic bacteria synthesize the organic compounds Other animals either have a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria or prey upon other fauna Two Major Examples Hydrothermal vents Mid-ocean ridges Cold seeps Trenches, oil/natural gas rich areas of sea floor, brine pools, areas of methane hydrate Comparison Hydrothermal vents Sulfide-rich High temps High pH (2.8) Associated with black smokers Cold seeps Methane-rich Very low temps Normal ocean pH Can be anywhere methane seeps out Hydrothermal vent fauna (modern) Blind shrimp, giant white crabs, bivalves, a variety of tube worms “Naked” snails: High pH prevents shell formation Specialized characteristics Metal-binding proteins in body systems Metal expelling mucus in tubeworms Cold Seep fauna (modern) Similar to vent fauna Higher diversity Less harsh environment or less limited dispersal Still have autotrophic bacteria at the base of the food web Ancient fauna example from Silurian Bacteria, again Brachiopods and monoplacophorans Relatives of tube worms Example from Yaman Kasy mine in the Urals of Russia: volcanogenic massive sulfide In conclusion… Thought to be origins of life on the Earth Many life forms unique to environment (300+ species to date, 95% new to science) Some have changed little from ancient relatives Several fossilized analogs exist and are being studied * * /~carr/2003Lecture%2015%20MOR.pdf /efc/living_species/ default.asp?inhab=199 /news/news_releases/2002/oct17_vrijenhoek.html /~carr/2003Lecture%2015%20MOR.pdf http://www.nhm.ac.uk/mineralogy/intro/project5/