Subseafloor sediments from a pockmark field in the Southwestern Atlantic Metagenome

Recent studies have been revealing the fascinating deep biosphere as a major reservoir of cellular carbon and biodiversity. In the Southwestern Atlantic, the Santos Basin is one of the most important oil reservoirs of Brazil and can harbor particular deep-sea habitats. Despite the recent findings of an oil seep at Sao Paulo Plateau, an active cold seep has not yet been described. However, an extensive pockmark field site with strong connection with a salt diapir was reported. In this area, were found distinct pockmarks, and the metagenome sequencing will provide a new examination of key microbial processes and their role in mediating biogeochemical cycling. This study may represent the first efforts to characterize the genetic potential of microbial diversity related to pockmarks in a search of the first active cold seeps in the Southwestern Atlantic. In these selected samples, an acoustic signal suggested the presence of gas seep. We are particularly interested in the biogeography of chemolithoautotrophs and their relevance to connections between deep energy and deep life. PI Vivian Helena Pellizari University of Sao Paulo