Influence of minor hydrocarbon seepage on sulfur cycling in marine subsurface sediments
Ellen Schnabel,Aurèle Vuillemin,Cédric C. Laczny,Benoit J. Kunath,André R. Soares,Alexander J. Probst,Rolando Di Primio,Jens Kallmeyer,and the PROSPECTOMICS Consortium
Ellen Schnabel
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg–Essen, Essen, Germany
Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg–Essen, Essen, Germany
This study analysed marine sediment samples from areas with and without minimal hydrocarbon seepage from reservoirs underneath. Depth profiles of dissolved chemical components in the pore water and molecular biological data revealed differences in microbial community composition and activity. These results indicate that even minor hydrocarbon seepage affects sedimentary biogeochemical cycling in marine sediments, potentially providing a new tool for the detection of hydrocarbon reservoirs.
This study analysed marine sediment samples from areas with and without minimal hydrocarbon...