A hydrogen-based subsurface microbial community dominated by methanogens.

TitleA hydrogen-based subsurface microbial community dominated by methanogens.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsChapelle FH, O'Neill K, Bradley PM, Methé BA, Ciufo SA, Knobel LRL, Lovley DR
JournalNature
Volume415
Issue6869
Pagination312-5
Date Published2002 Jan 17
ISSN0028-0836
KeywordsBacteria, DNA, Archaeal, DNA, Bacterial, Ecosystem, Euryarchaeota, Exobiology, Hydrogen, Molecular Sequence Data, Phylogeny, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Water Microbiology
Abstract

The search for extraterrestrial life may be facilitated if ecosystems can be found on Earth that exist under conditions analogous to those present on other planets or moons. It has been proposed, on the basis of geochemical and thermodynamic considerations, that geologically derived hydrogen might support subsurface microbial communities on Mars and Europa in which methanogens form the base of the ecosystem. Here we describe a unique subsurface microbial community in which hydrogen-consuming, methane-producing Archaea far outnumber the Bacteria. More than 90% of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequences recovered from hydrothermal waters circulating through deeply buried igneous rocks in Idaho are related to hydrogen-using methanogenic microorganisms. Geochemical characterization indicates that geothermal hydrogen, not organic carbon, is the primary energy source for this methanogen-dominated microbial community. These results demonstrate that hydrogen-based methanogenic communities do occur in Earth's subsurface, providing an analogue for possible subsurface microbial ecosystems on other planets.

DOI10.1038/415312a
Alternate JournalNature
PubMed ID11797006