Articles | Volume 22, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-767-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-767-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
12 Feb 2025
Research article |
| 12 Feb 2025
| 12 Feb 2025
Influence of minor hydrocarbon seepage on sulfur cycling in marine subsurface sediments
Ellen Schnabel
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Aurèle Vuillemin
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
Cédric C. Laczny
Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Benoit J. Kunath
Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
André R. Soares
Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg–Essen, Essen, Germany
Alexander J. Probst
Environmental Metagenomics, Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg–Essen, Essen, Germany
Rolando Di Primio
AkerBP, 1366 Lysaker, Norway
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
A full list of authors appears at the end of the paper.
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Short summary
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...
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