Characterization of microbial community structure in Gulf of Mexico gas hydrates: comparative analysis of DNA- and RNA-derived clone libraries.

ABSTRACT: The characterization of microbial assemblages within solid gas hydrate, especially those that may be physiologically active under in situ hydrate conditions, is essential to gain a better understanding of the effects and contributions of microbial activities in Gulf of Mexico (GoM) hydrate ecosystems. In this study, the composition of the Bacteria and Archaea communities was determined by 16S rRNA phylogenetic analyses of clone libraries derived from RNA and DNA extracted from sediment-entrained hydrate (SEH) and interior hydrate (IH). The hydrate was recovered from an exposed mound located in the northern GoM continental slope with a hydrate chipper designed for use on the manned-submersible Johnson Sea Link (water depth, 550 m). Previous geochemical analyses indicated that there was incr

SUBMITTER: Mills HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1151803 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature