Journal
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
Volume 382, Issue -, Pages 1-21Publisher
INTER-RESEARCH
DOI: 10.3354/meps07972
Keywords
Chemosynthesis; Organic carbon input; Microbial degradation; Sediment; Bone; Cold seep; Hydrothermal vent
Categories
Funding
- National Undersea Research Center Alaska, NOAA
- USA National Science Foundation
- Biological Oceanography Program [OCE 0096422]
- Max Planck Society, the University of Hawaii at Manao
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
- School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa [7748]
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Deep-sea whale falls create sulfidic habits Supporting chemoautotrophic communities, but microbial processes underlying the formation Of Such habitats remain poorly evaluated. Microbial degradation processes (sulfate reduction, methanogenesis) and biogeochemical gradients were studied in a whale-fall habitat created by a 30 t whale carcass deployed at 1675 m depth for 6 to 7 yr on the California margin. A variety of measurements were conducted including photomosaicking, microsensor measurements, radio-tracer incubations and geochemical analyses. Sediments were Studied at different distances (0 to 9 in) from the whale fall. Highest microbial activities and steepest vertical geochemical gradients were found within 0.5 m of the whale fall, revealing ex situ sulfate reduction and in vitro methanogenesis rates of up to 717 and 99 mmol m(-2) d(-1), respectively. In sediments containing whale biomass, methanogenesis was equivalent to 20 to 30%, of sulfate reduction. During in vitro sediment studies, sulfide and methane were produced within days to weeks after addition of whale biomass, indicating that chemosynthesis is promoted at early stages of the whale fall. Total sulfide production from sediments within 0.5 m of the whale fall was 2.1 +/- 3 and 1.5 +/- 2.1 mol d(-1) in Years 6 and 7, respectively, of which similar to 200 mmol d(-1) were available as free sulfide. Sulfate reduction in bones was much lower, accounting for a total availability of similar to 10 mmol sulfide d(-1). Over periods of at least 7 yr, whale falls can create sulfidic conditions similar to other chemosynthetic habitats Such as cold seeps and hydrothermal vents.
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