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Trace Metal Biogeochemistry and Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Systems pp 143–166Cite as

The Deep Biosphere of the Subseafloor Igneous Crust

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Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 50))

Abstract

The igneous portion of the subseafloor crust is considered to be the largest potential microbial habitat on Earth; thus, it is somewhat of a paradox that our knowledge regarding its abundance, diversity and ecology is sparse, close to non-existent. This is mainly due to issues involved in sampling live species, and therefore much of our present knowledge of the deep biosphere is based on a fossil record. However, drilling and sampling techniques are constantly being developed to facilitate sampling of live microorganisms, and recent molecular studies show a positive progress towards better recovery and less contamination. Here we discuss the subseafloor igneous crust as a microbial habitat, its physical and geochemical prerequisites to support life and what type of life that could sustain in such an extreme environment. We also discuss what the fossil record, and the few successful molecular studies, tells us regarding what type of microorganisms exist in the deep subseafloor settings. It appears as if the igneous crust is more diverse than previously expected consisting of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes in close interplay with each other and their physical environment. As our knowledge increases so does the questions, and hopefully future technique development can provide us with an increased understanding of this deep, hidden world.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Marianne Ahlbom at the Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, for the assistance with ESEM analysis, Stefan Bengtson and Veneta Belivanova (Swedish Museum of Natural History) and Federica Marone (Swiss Light Source, Paul Scherrer Institute) for producing SRXTM images. Nicola McLoughlin at the University of Bergen is acknowledged for the permission to use Fig. 4c. This work was funded by the Swedish Research Council (Contract No. 2012-4364) and the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF53).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Palaeobiology, Nordic Center for Earth Evolution (NordCEE), Swedish Museum of Natural History, Svante Arrhenius väg 9, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden

    Magnus Ivarsson

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    N. G. Holm & A. Neubeck

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  1. Magnus Ivarsson
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  2. N. G. Holm
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Correspondence to Magnus Ivarsson .

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  1. P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanolo, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    Liudmila L. Demina

  2. P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanolo, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    Sergey V. Galkin

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Ivarsson, M., Holm, N.G., Neubeck, A. (2015). The Deep Biosphere of the Subseafloor Igneous Crust. In: Demina, L., Galkin, S. (eds) Trace Metal Biogeochemistry and Ecology of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Systems. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 50. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2015_5014

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