Habitability of the marine serpentinite subsurface: a case study of the Lost City hydrothermal field.

ABSTRACT: The Lost City hydrothermal field is a dramatic example of the biological potential of serpentinization. Microbial life is prevalent throughout the Lost City chimneys, powered by the hydrogen gas and organic molecules produced by serpentinization and its associated geochemical reactions. Microbial life in the serpentinite subsurface below the Lost City chimneys, however, is unlikely to be as dense or active. The marine serpentinite subsurface poses serious challenges for microbial activity, including low porosities, the combination of stressors of elevated temperature, high pH and a lack of bioavailable ∑CO2. A better understanding of the biological opportunities and challenges in serpentinizing systems would provide important insights into the total habitable volume of Earth's crust and fo

SUBMITTER: Lang SQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7015304 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature