Deep-sea Hydrothermal Sulfide Research Articles

Research on Transient Electromagnetic Positioning Method of Underwater Towed Array Source for Moving Small Target on the Seabed

Different from the large-scale delineation and exploration of oil and gas resources and deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposits, small targets moving on the seabed require fine and accurate trace detection and higher positioning accuracy. Although the towed single source transient electromagnetic (TEM) device can detect the poisition of the static target body, but cannot determine the poisition of the moving target, the array source TEM device can effectively solve the problem of fine detection and accurate positioning of moving small targets on the seabed, and improve the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution. In this paper, an array source transient electromagnetic positioning method based on underwater towed platform is proposed for moving small targets on the seabed. At the same time, in view of the underwater towed body and array source transient electromagnetic coil, its attitude changes cause the problem of target body positioning error. Through the simulation calculation and error analysis, the results show that the calculation error of attitude angle had a great influence on positioning accuracy. In practical engineering application, attitude correction is necessary to eliminate positioning error.

Microbial biosignatures in ancient deep-sea hydrothermal sulfides.

Deep-sea hydrothermal systems provide ideal conditions for prebiotic reactions and ancient metabolic pathways and, therefore, might have played a pivotal role in the emergence of life. To understand this role better, it is paramount to examine fundamental interactions between hydrothermal processes, non-living matter, and microbial life in deep time. However, the distribution and diversity of microbial communities in ancient deep-sea hydrothermal systems are still poorly constrained, so evolutionary, and ecological relationships remain unclear. One important reason is an insufficient understanding of the formation of diagnostic microbial biosignatures in such settings and their preservation through geological time. This contribution centers around microbial biosignatures in Precambrian deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposits. Intending to provide a valuable resource for scientists from across the natural sciences whose research is concerned with the origins of life, we first introduce different types of biosignatures that can be preserved over geological timescales (rock fabrics and textures, microfossils, mineral precipitates, carbonaceous matter, trace metal, and isotope geochemical signatures). We then review selected reports of biosignatures from Precambrian deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposits and discuss their geobiological significance. Our survey highlights that Precambrian hydrothermal sulfide deposits potentially encode valuable information on environmental conditions, the presence and nature of microbial life, and the complex interactions between fluids, micro-organisms, and minerals. It further emphasizes that the geobiological interpretation of these records is challenging and requires the concerted application of analytical and experimental methods from various fields, including geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and microbiology. Well-orchestrated multidisciplinary studies allow us to understand the formation and preservation of microbial biosignatures in deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide systems and thus help unravel the fundamental geobiology of ancient settings. This, in turn, is critical for reconstructing life's emergence and early evolution on Earth and the search for life elsewhere in the universe.

Wocania indica gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from deep sea hydrothermal sulfide in the northwest Indian Ocean, and proposal to reclassify Flaviramulus ichthyoenteri as Wocania ichthyoenteri comb. nov.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide in the northwest Indian Ocean Ridge and designated as strain IOP_32T. Strain IOP_32T could grow at 4-40 °C (optimum, 37 °C), pH 5-9 (optimum, pH 7-8) and salinity of 0-12 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 2-3 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain IOP_32T is most similar to Bizionia fulviae EM7T, Bizionia berychis RA3-3-1T, Bizionia paragorgiae KMM 6029T and Oceanihabitans sediminis S9_10T with 95.5-95.3 % similarity. The phylogenomic analysis indicated that strain IOP_32T forms a distinct lineage with Flaviramulus ichthyoenteri Th78T within the family Flavobacteriaceae. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and percentage of conserved protein values between strain IOP_32T and the type strains of close genera were 72.3-78.5 %, 67.4-76.9 % and 56.3-61.6 %, respectively. The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0. The respiratory quinone was MK-6. The polar lipids were mainly composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and five unidentified polar lipids. Strain IOP_32T is significantly different from related genera, which is reflected by the wide adaptability to temperature and salinity levels, the composition of phospholipids and fatty acids, and the results of phylogenetic analyses. The phenotypic properties and phylogenetic data suggest that the lineage represents a novel genus and species within the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Wocania indica gen. sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain IOP_32T (=MCCC 1A14017 T=KCTC 62660 T). We also propose the reclassification of Flaviramulus ichthyoenteri as Wocania ichthyoenteri comb. nov. (Th78T=DSM 26285T=JCM 18634T=KCTC 32142T).

Metal dissolution behavior from deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide samples; Impact assessment for seafloor massive sulfide mining

Metal dissolution behavior from deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide samples; Impact assessment for seafloor massive sulfide mining

Caloranaerobacter ferrireducens sp. nov., an anaerobic, thermophilic, iron (III)-reducing bacterium isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposits.

A thermophilic, anaerobic, iron-reducing bacterium (strain DY22619T) was isolated from a sulfide sample collected from an East Pacific Ocean hydrothermal field at a depth of 2901 m. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile rods (2-10 µm in length, 0.5 µm in width) with multiple peritrichous flagella. The strain grew at 40-70 °C inclusive (optimum 60 °C), at pH 4.5-8.5 inclusive (optimum pH 7.0) and with sea salts concentrations of 1-10 % (w/v) (optimum 3 % sea salts) and NaCl concentrations of 1.5-5.0 % (w/v) (optimum 2.5 % NaCl). Under optimal growth conditions, the generation time was around 55 min. The isolate was an obligate chemoorganoheterotroph, utilizing complex organic compounds, amino acids, carbohydrates and organic acids including peptone, tryptone, beef extract, yeast extract, alanine, glutamate, methionine, threonine, fructose, mannose, galactose, glucose, palatinose, rhamnose, turanose, gentiobiose, xylose, sorbose, pyruvate, tartaric acid, α-ketobutyric acid, α-ketovaleric acid, galacturonic acid and glucosaminic acid. Strain DY22619T was strictly anaerobic and facultatively dependent on various forms of Fe(III) as an electron acceptor: insoluble forms and soluble forms. It did not reduce sulfite, sulfate, thiosulfate or nitrate. The genomic DNA G+C content was 29.0 mol%. Phylogenetic 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses revealed that the closest relative of strain DY22619T was Caloranaerobacter azorensis MV1087T, sharing 97.41 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. On the basis of physiological distinctness and phylogenetic distance, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Caloranaerobacter, for which the name Caloranaerobacterhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1601/nm.4081ferrireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DY22619T ( = JCM 19467T = DSM 27799T = MCCC1A06455T).

好酸性・好熱性古細菌<i>Acidianus Brierleyi</i> による 海底熱水鉱床鉱石のバイオリーチング<b> </b>

This article describes the bioleaching of deep-sea hydrothermal ore deposits by the acidophilic and thermophilic archaeon Acidianus brierleyi at 65℃. Bioleaching experiments with A. brierleyi were used to examine the dependence of leaching rates on three process parameters such as solution pH (pH 1.2–2.0), initial cell concentration (1×1013–1×1014 cells/m3), and initial ore-liquid loading ratio (5–40 kg/m3). The leaching of copper and zinc was markedly accelerated in the presence of A. brierleyi, and greater than 80 % extraction of copper and zinc in the ore sample (38–53 μm) was achieved at 65℃ within 10 days of batch operation. Nearly identical bioleaching rates of zinc and copper were obtained for the deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide (ore sample A) and terrestrial sulfide concentrates (sphalerite and chalcopyrite) by the thermophilic archaeon A. brierleyi. However, the bioleaching of lead was practically negligible because of precipitation of insoluble anglesite. The bioleaching of gallium tended to be suppressed as the initial ore-liquid loading ratio was increased from 5 to 40 kg/m3. The bioleaching of the ore sample (45.4 % SiO2) yielded less than 5 % extraction of gallium in 10 days of batch operation at an initial ore-liquid loading ratio of 40 kg/m3, and gallium in the bioleaching residue was concentrated 1.8-fold of its initial content. Moreover, the concentration of gold in the bioleaching residue was increased by a factor of 1.9 after 10 days of batch operation. It can be concluded that bioleaching is an attractive processing route to recover valuable metals from deep-sea hydrothermal ore deposits.

Anoxybacter fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov., a piezophilic, thermophilic, anaerobic, fermentative bacterium isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent.

A novel piezophilic, thermophilic, anaerobic, fermentative bacterial strain, designated strain DY22613(T), was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide deposit at the East Pacific Rise (GPS position: 102.6° W 3.1° S). Cells of strain DY22613(T) were long, motile rods (10 to 20 µm in length and 0.5 µm in width) with peritrichous flagella and were Gram-stain-negative. Growth was recorded at 44-72 °C (optimum 60-62 °C) and at hydrostatic pressures of 0.1-55 MPa (optimum 20 MPa). The pH range for growth was from pH 5.0 to 9.0 with an optimum at pH 7.0. Growth was observed in the presence of 1 to 8 % (w/v) sea salts and 0.65 to 5.2 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum salt concentrations at 3.5 % for sea salts and at 2.3 % for NaCl. Under optimal growth conditions, the shortest generation time observed was 27 min (60 °C, 20 MPa). Strain DY22613(T) was heterotrophic, able to utilize complex organic compounds, amino acids, sugars and organic acids including peptone, tryptone, beef extract, yeast extract, alanine, glutamine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, fructose, fucose, galactose, gentiobiose, glucose, mannose, melibiose, palatinose, rhamnose, turanose, pyruvate, lactic acid, methyl ester, erythritol, galacturonic acid and glucosaminic acid. Strain DY22613(T) was able to reduce Fe(III) compounds, including Fe(III) oxyhydroxide (pH 7.0), amorphous iron(III) oxide (pH 9.0), goethite (α-FeOOH, pH 12.0), Fe(III) citrate and elementary sulfur. Products of fermentation were butyrate, acetate and hydrogen. Main cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 3-OH and C14 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain DY22613(T) was 36.7 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain forms a novel lineage within the class Clostridia and clusters with the order Haloanaerobiales (86.92 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The phylogenetic data suggest that the lineage represents at least a novel genus and species, for which the name Anoxybacter fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DY22613(T) ( = JCM 19466(T) = DSM 28033(T) = MCCC 1A06456(T)).

Complete Genome Sequence of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus sp. Strain CL1, Isolated from a Paralvinella sp. Polychaete Worm Collected from a Hydrothermal Vent

Thermococcus sp. strain CL1 is a hyperthermophilic, anaerobic, and heterotrophic archaeon isolated from a Paralvinella sp. polychaete worm living on an active deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide chimney on the Cleft Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. To further understand the distinct characteristics of this archaeon at the genome level, its genome was completely sequenced and analyzed. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence (1,950,313 bp) of Thermococcus sp. strain CL1, with a focus on H(2)- and energy-producing capabilities and its amino acid biosynthesis and acquisition in an extreme habitat.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus sp. Strain ST04, Isolated from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Sulfide Chimney on the Juan de Fuca Ridge

Pyrococcus sp. strain ST04 is a hyperthermophilic, anaerobic, and heterotrophic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide chimney on the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. To further understand the distinct characteristics of this archaeon at the genome level (polysaccharide utilization at high temperature and ATP generation by a Na(+) gradient), the genome of strain ST04 was completely sequenced and analyzed. Here, we present the complete genome sequence analysis results of Pyrococcus sp. ST04 and report the major findings from the genome annotation, with a focus on its saccharolytic and metabolite production potential.

STEADY-STATE CHARACTERISTICS ANALYSIS OF DEEP-SEA RUNNING MECHANISM WITH PLANETARY GEAR WHEEL BASED ON ARTICULATED STEERING RADIUS

Steady-state characteristics analysis for the deep-sea running mechanism with planetary gear train which is designed to adapt to complex terrain in the deep-sea hydrothermal sulfide and rich-cobalt incrustation survey area is based on articulated steering radius. The articulated steering radius formula of the deep-sea running mechanism is derived from the geometric relationship, considering the wheel side slip angle. Based on the formula, three types of steering steady-state characteristic analysis, understeer, neutral steer and oversteer, are made for the mechanism. Steering simulation analysis of the running mechanism with planetary gear is conducted in ADAMS software with different speed. In the process of steering, the side slip angle increases first, then gradually decreases and finally tends to be stable. The side slip angle of the front wheels is greater than that of the rear wheels. While the speed of steering turns to be faster, wheel side slip angle and steering radius increase. The mechanism is understeer, and performs good handling stability characteristic.