Proliferation of hydrocarbon-degrading microbes at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Mariana Trench is the deepest known site in the Earth's oceans, reaching a depth of ~ 11,000 m at the Challenger Deep. Recent studies reveal that hadal waters harbor distinctive microbial planktonic communities. However, the genetic potential of microbial communities within the hadal zone is poorly understood.

Results

Here, implementing both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, we perform extensive analysis of microbial populations and their genetic potential at different depths in the Mariana Trench. Unexpectedly, we observed an abrupt increase in the abundance of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria at depths > 10,400 m in the Challenger Deep. Indeed, the proportion of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria at > 10,400 m is the highest observed in any natura

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6460516 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature