Microbiology and biogeochemistry of surficial sediments from axial and off-axis ecosystems in Guaymas Basin

Cold seeps and hydrothermal vents are seafloor habitats that are fueled by subsurface energy sources. Both habitat types coexist in Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California within a few miles from each other, and provide opportunities to compare microbial communities with distinct physiologies that are adapted to these conditions. Here we investigated several distinct, hydrothermally active sites within the frequently visited southern Guaymas Basin spreading center, and compare these to Octopus Mound, a more recently discovered seep site on the northern off-axis flanking regions of Guaymas Basin.

冷泉（Cold seeps）与热液喷口（hydrothermal vents）均为以地下能源为能量支撑的海底生境。两类生境在加利福尼亚湾瓜伊马斯盆地（Guaymas Basin）内相距仅数英里，为对比适应两类极端环境的微生物群落独特生理特征提供了绝佳研究契机。本研究针对频繁被考察的南瓜伊马斯盆地扩张中心（southern Guaymas Basin spreading center）内多处各具特征的热液活跃位点展开调查，并将其与章鱼丘（Octopus Mound）——一处新近发现的瓜伊马斯盆地北部轴侧翼冷泉位点——进行对比分析。