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Prokaryotic cells of the deep sub-seafloor biosphere identified as living bacteria

Author

Listed:
  • Axel Schippers

    (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources)

  • Lev N. Neretin

    (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources
    Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Jens Kallmeyer

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
    GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam)

  • Timothy G. Ferdelman

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

  • Barry A. Cragg

    (Cardiff University)

  • R. John Parkes

    (Cardiff University)

  • Bo B. Jørgensen

    (Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology)

Abstract

Digging deep for bacteria Sediments beneath the seafloor do not sound a promising habitat, yet it has been estimated from microscopic cell counts that sub-seafloor sediments account for over half of all eukaryotic cells on Earth. That figure does not differentiate live cells from dead, but a new study based on ribosomal RNA detection does. The data suggest that many of the cells are alive, even in 16-million-year-old sediments 400 metres beneath the seabed. All the detectable living cells are bacteria, and they seem to be thriving as they have a turnover rate comparable with those seen in surface sediments.

Suggested Citation

  • Axel Schippers & Lev N. Neretin & Jens Kallmeyer & Timothy G. Ferdelman & Barry A. Cragg & R. John Parkes & Bo B. Jørgensen, 2005. "Prokaryotic cells of the deep sub-seafloor biosphere identified as living bacteria," Nature, Nature, vol. 433(7028), pages 861-864, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:433:y:2005:i:7028:d:10.1038_nature03302
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03302
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    Cited by:

    1. Martins, Irene & Colaço, Ana & Dando, Paul R. & Martins, Inês & Desbruyères, Daniel & Sarradin, Pierre-Marie & Marques, João Carlos & Serrão-Santos, Ricardo, 2008. "Size-dependent variations on the nutritional pathway of Bathymodiolus azoricus demonstrated by a C-flux model," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 217(1), pages 59-71.
    2. Stolpovsky, Konstantin & Martinez-Lavanchy, Paula & Heipieper, Hermann J. & Van Cappellen, Philippe & Thullner, Martin, 2011. "Incorporating dormancy in dynamic microbial community models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(17), pages 3092-3102.

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