Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2016-318
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2016-318
31 Aug 2016
 | 31 Aug 2016
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal BG but the revision was not accepted.

Hydrothermal activity lowers trophic diversity in Antarctic sedimented hydrothermal vents

James B. Bell, William D. K. Reid, David A. Pearce, Adrian G. Glover, Christopher J. Sweeting, Jason Newton, and Clare Woulds

Abstract. Sedimented hydrothermal vents are those in which hydrothermal fluid vents through sediment and are among the least studied deep-sea ecosystems. We present a combination of microbial and biochemical data to assess trophodynamics between and within hydrothermally active and off-vent areas of the Bransfield Strait (1050–1647 m depth). Microbial composition, biomass and fatty acid signatures varied widely between and within vent and non-vent sites and provided evidence of diverse metabolic activity. Several species showed diverse feeding strategies and occupied different trophic positions in vent and non-vent areas and stable isotope values of consumers were generally not consistent with feeding structure morphology. Niche area and the diversity of microbial fatty acids reflected trends in species diversity and was lowest at the most hydrothermally active site. Faunal utilisation of chemosynthetic activity was relatively limited but was detected at both vent and non-vent sites as evidenced by carbon and sulphur isotopic signatures, suggesting that the hydrothermal activity can affect trophodynamics over a much wider area than previously thought.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
James B. Bell, William D. K. Reid, David A. Pearce, Adrian G. Glover, Christopher J. Sweeting, Jason Newton, and Clare Woulds
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
 
Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
James B. Bell, William D. K. Reid, David A. Pearce, Adrian G. Glover, Christopher J. Sweeting, Jason Newton, and Clare Woulds
James B. Bell, William D. K. Reid, David A. Pearce, Adrian G. Glover, Christopher J. Sweeting, Jason Newton, and Clare Woulds

Viewed

Total article views: 1,914 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
975 868 71 1,914 137 60 78
  • HTML: 975
  • PDF: 868
  • XML: 71
  • Total: 1,914
  • Supplement: 137
  • BibTeX: 60
  • EndNote: 78
Views and downloads (calculated since 31 Aug 2016)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 31 Aug 2016)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 1,875 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 1,871 with geography defined and 4 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Discussed

Latest update: 10 Nov 2024
Download
Short summary
Areas of the deep-seafloor where hydrothermal fluid flows through sediment are amongst the least studied environments on the planet. We studied the faunal and microbial food webs at one such system in the Southern Ocean and found evidence of a wide range of organic matter fixation pathways, both at vent sites and non-vent sites. Although faunal uptake of in situ food production was low, it was much wider spread than previously realised, raising important questions about seafloor food webs.
Altmetrics