Microbial imprints on sulfide minerals in submarine hydrothermal deposits of the East Pacific Rise

Diverse of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing microbes have been found in submarine hydrothermal deposits. They have played a prominent role in weathering of seafloor sulfide deposits. However, evidence for microbe-mineral interactions in sediments is rare. Mineralogic analysis and SEM examination of sulfide deposits from the East Pacific Rise demonstrated that (1) sulfide minerals were extensively leached, with characteristic microbial dissolution pits on mineral surfaces; (2) the Acidithiobacillus-like bacteria and possible metabolites were found closely associated with the dissolution pits in situ. The results provide direct evidence for microbial leaching on the solid mineral crystals, most likely by the contact mechanisms, in the seafloor sulfide deposits; and hopefully, the typical microbial imprints on sulfide minerals provide new clues to the search for extraterrestrial life. The uploaded datasets include the data for Figure 2, Figure4 and Figure 5 in the paper.