 |
Schäfer H, Ferdelman TG, Fossing H, Muyzer G
Microbial diversity in deep sediments of the Benguela Upwelling System
Deep-sea sediments constitute one of the largest habitats on Earth, yet studies of their microbial diversity are still scarce. In this study of a 9 m long sediment core from the Benguela Upwelling System, including the zone of anaerobic methane oxidation, several eury- and crenarchaeal populations were detected, none of which belonged to anaerobic methane-oxidizing Archaea (so-called ANME groups). Consortia of ANME Archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria have been detected extensively in sediments with high methane fluxes; however, they are often absent from deep sulfate-methane transition zones (SMTZ) of pelagic sediments. This observation underscores the possibility that phylogenetic groups other than ANME Archaea contribute to anaerobic methane oxidation and highlights the need for further studies on sub-seafloor sediments.
Inter-Research Science Center is pleased to make this Feature Article openly available for viewing by our readers.
