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Ultrastructural evidence for iron accumulation within the tube of Vestimentiferan Ridgeia piscesae

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Abstract

This study reports on the accumulation of iron within the tube wall of the deep sea vent macro invertebrate Vestimentiferan Ridgeia piscesae collected from Juan de Fuca ridge. Combining an array of approaches including environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), X-ray microanalysis (EDS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), we provide evidences for the influence of prokaryotic organisms on the accumulation of metals on and within the tube wall. Two types of iron-rich minerals such as iron oxides and framboidal pyrites are identified within or on the tube wall. Our results reveal the presence of prokaryotic organism is apparently responsible for the early accumulation of iron-rich minerals in the tube wall. The implications of the biomineralisation of iron in tube wall at hydrothermal vents are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to Dr. Maurice Tivey and Prof. Marvin Lilley for their kindly help during the sample collection. We thank the constructive remarks made by two anonymous reviewers. Special thanks also go to all the participants of the joint China and US submersible dive expedition cruise.

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  1. Tongji University, Shanghai, China

    Xiaotong Peng, Huaiyang Zhou, Huiqiang Yao, Jiangtao Li & Zijun Wu

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  1. Xiaotong Peng
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Correspondence to Xiaotong Peng.

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Peng, X., Zhou, H., Yao, H. et al. Ultrastructural evidence for iron accumulation within the tube of Vestimentiferan Ridgeia piscesae . Biometals 22, 723–732 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-009-9216-5

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