Saturated CO<sub>2</sub> inhibits microbial processes in CO<sub>2</sub>-vented deep-sea sediments
This study focused on biogeochemical processes and microbial activity in sediments of a natural deep-sea CO<sub>2</sub> seepage area (Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal system, Japan). The aim was to assess the influence of the geochemical conditions occurring in highly acidic and CO<sub&...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2013-08-01
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| Series: | Biogeosciences |
| Online Access: | http://www.biogeosciences.net/10/5639/2013/bg-10-5639-2013.pdf |
| Summary: | This study focused on biogeochemical processes and microbial activity in sediments of a natural deep-sea CO<sub>2</sub> seepage area (Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal system, Japan). The aim was to assess the influence of the geochemical conditions occurring in highly acidic and CO<sub>2</sub> saturated sediments on sulfate reduction (SR) and anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM). Porewater chemistry was investigated from retrieved sediment cores and in situ by microsensor profiling. The sites sampled around a sediment-hosted hydrothermal CO<sub>2</sub> vent were very heterogeneous in porewater chemistry, indicating a complex leakage pattern. Near the vents, droplets of liquid CO<sub>2</sub> were observed emanating from the sediments, and the pH reached approximately 4.5 in a sediment depth > 6 cm, as determined in situ by microsensors. Methane and sulfate co-occurred in most sediment samples from the vicinity of the vents down to a depth of 3 m. However, SR and AOM were restricted to the upper 7–15 cm below seafloor, although neither temperature, low pH, nor the availability of methane and sulfate could be limiting microbial activity. We argue that the extremely high subsurface concentrations of dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> (1000–1700 mM), which disrupt the cellular pH homeostasis, and lead to end-product inhibition. This limits life to the surface sediment horizons above the liquid CO<sub>2</sub> phase, where less extreme conditions prevail. Our results may have to be taken into consideration in assessing the consequences of deep-sea CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration on benthic element cycling and on the local ecosystem state. |
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| ISSN: | 1726-4170 1726-4189 |