Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal Field
The weathering of seafloor hydrothermal sulfides is facilitated by microbial activities, yet the specific mechanisms of different sulfide types are not well understood. Previous studies have primarily been carried out under laboratory conditions, making it difficult to accurately replicate the compl...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Chuanqi Dong Xiqiu Han Yejian Wang Jiqiang Liu Mingcong Wei |
| author_facet | Chuanqi Dong Xiqiu Han Yejian Wang Jiqiang Liu Mingcong Wei |
| author_sort | Chuanqi Dong |
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| description | The weathering of seafloor hydrothermal sulfides is facilitated by microbial activities, yet the specific mechanisms of different sulfide types are not well understood. Previous studies have primarily been carried out under laboratory conditions, making it difficult to accurately replicate the complex in situ conditions of deep-sea hydrothermal fields. Herein, we deployed two well-characterized pyrite (Py)-dominated and chalcopyrite (Ccp)-dominated sulfide slices, which were placed 300 m from an active venting site in the Wocan-1 hydrothermal field (Carlsberg Ridge, Northwest Indian Ocean) for an 18-month in situ incubation experiment. Microscopic observations and organic matter analyses were conducted on the recovered sulfide slices to investigate the microbial weathering features of different sulfide types. Our results demonstrated that the weathering of the Py-dominated sulfide sample was primarily mediated by extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) through indirect interactions, whereas the Ccp-dominated sulfide sample exhibited both direct microbial dissolution, resulting in the formation of distinct dissolution pits, and indirect EPS-mediated interactions. Four distinct phases of microbe–sulfide interactions were identified: approach, adsorption, stable attachment, and extensive colonization. Furthermore, the weathering products and biomineralization structures differed significantly between the two sulfide types, reflecting their different microbial colonization processes. Our study confirms that microorganisms are crucial in seafloor sulfide weathering. These findings advance our understanding of microbial-driven processes in sulfide mineral transformations and their role in marine ecosystems. Our findings are also valuable for future research on biogeochemical cycles and for developing bioremediation strategies for deep-sea mining. |
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| spelling | doaj-art-2e2e03cf01c74883939cf9565a93c9812025-08-20T02:17:25ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-04-0114438910.3390/biology14040389Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal FieldChuanqi Dong0Xiqiu Han1Yejian Wang2Jiqiang Liu3Mingcong Wei4College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaCollege of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Submarine Geoscience, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Submarine Geoscience, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Submarine Geoscience, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, ChinaThe weathering of seafloor hydrothermal sulfides is facilitated by microbial activities, yet the specific mechanisms of different sulfide types are not well understood. Previous studies have primarily been carried out under laboratory conditions, making it difficult to accurately replicate the complex in situ conditions of deep-sea hydrothermal fields. Herein, we deployed two well-characterized pyrite (Py)-dominated and chalcopyrite (Ccp)-dominated sulfide slices, which were placed 300 m from an active venting site in the Wocan-1 hydrothermal field (Carlsberg Ridge, Northwest Indian Ocean) for an 18-month in situ incubation experiment. Microscopic observations and organic matter analyses were conducted on the recovered sulfide slices to investigate the microbial weathering features of different sulfide types. Our results demonstrated that the weathering of the Py-dominated sulfide sample was primarily mediated by extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) through indirect interactions, whereas the Ccp-dominated sulfide sample exhibited both direct microbial dissolution, resulting in the formation of distinct dissolution pits, and indirect EPS-mediated interactions. Four distinct phases of microbe–sulfide interactions were identified: approach, adsorption, stable attachment, and extensive colonization. Furthermore, the weathering products and biomineralization structures differed significantly between the two sulfide types, reflecting their different microbial colonization processes. Our study confirms that microorganisms are crucial in seafloor sulfide weathering. These findings advance our understanding of microbial-driven processes in sulfide mineral transformations and their role in marine ecosystems. Our findings are also valuable for future research on biogeochemical cycles and for developing bioremediation strategies for deep-sea mining.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/389hydrothermal sulfidesin situ incubationmicrobial weatheringCarlsberg RidgeNorthwest Indian Ocean |
| spellingShingle | Chuanqi Dong Xiqiu Han Yejian Wang Jiqiang Liu Mingcong Wei Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal Field Biology hydrothermal sulfides in situ incubation microbial weathering Carlsberg Ridge Northwest Indian Ocean |
| title | Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal Field |
| title_full | Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal Field |
| title_fullStr | Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal Field |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal Field |
| title_short | Microbial Seafloor Weathering of Hydrothermal Sulfides: Insights from an 18-Month In Situ Incubation at the Wocan-1 Hydrothermal Field |
| title_sort | microbial seafloor weathering of hydrothermal sulfides insights from an 18 month in situ incubation at the wocan 1 hydrothermal field |
| topic | hydrothermal sulfides in situ incubation microbial weathering Carlsberg Ridge Northwest Indian Ocean |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/389 |
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