An examination of protist diversity in serpentinization-hosted ecosystems of the Samail Ophiolite of Oman.

ABSTRACT: In the Samail Ophiolite of Oman, the geological process of serpentinization produces reduced, hydrogen rich, hyperalkaline (pH > 11) fluids. These fluids are generated through water reacting with ultramafic rock from the upper mantle in the subsurface. On Earth's continents, serpentinized fluids can be expressed at the surface where they can mix with circumneutral surface water and subsequently generate a pH gradient (∼pH 8 to pH > 11) in addition to variations in other chemical parameters such as dissolved CO₂, O₂, and H₂. Globally, archaeal and bacterial community diversity has been shown to reflect geochemical gradients established by the process of serpentinization. It is unknown if the same is true for microorganisms of the domain Eukarya (eukaryotes).

SUBMITTER: Howells AEG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10192764 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature