Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc
Abstract Present-day serpentinization systems, such as that at the Mariana forearc, are prominent sources of reduced volatiles, including molecular hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4), and are considered analogs for chemosynthetic ecosystems on early Earth. However, seepage of serpentinization fluids th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Communications Earth & Environment |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02667-6 |
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| author | Palash Kumawat Elmar Albers Wolfgang Bach Frieder Klein Walter Menapace Christoph Vogt Florence Schubotz |
| author_facet | Palash Kumawat Elmar Albers Wolfgang Bach Frieder Klein Walter Menapace Christoph Vogt Florence Schubotz |
| author_sort | Palash Kumawat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Present-day serpentinization systems, such as that at the Mariana forearc, are prominent sources of reduced volatiles, including molecular hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4), and are considered analogs for chemosynthetic ecosystems on early Earth. However, seepage of serpentinization fluids through mud volcanoes at the Mariana forearc seafloor is defined by high pH, and nutrient scarcity, creating challenging conditions for microbial life. We present geochemical and lipid biomarker evidence for a subsurface biosphere shaped by episodic substrate availability, highlighting microbial persistence across steep geochemical gradients within serpentinite mud. Light stable carbon isotope compositions from diagnostic lipids reveal a temporal shift from hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis to sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation. Membrane adaptations, including unsaturated diether, acyclic and branched tetraether, and ether-based isoprenoidal and non-isoprenoidal glycosidic lipids, reflect microbial strategies for coping with this extreme environment. Our findings establish the Mariana forearc as a unique serpentinite-hosted biosphere, where life operates at the fringes of habitability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9d43f5c5e93f418b9f56e7342869ea6a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2662-4435 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Earth & Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-9d43f5c5e93f418b9f56e7342869ea6a2025-08-20T03:06:08ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-08-016111810.1038/s43247-025-02667-6Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearcPalash Kumawat0Elmar Albers1Wolfgang Bach2Frieder Klein3Walter Menapace4Christoph Vogt5Florence Schubotz6Faculty of Geosciences, University of BremenDepartment of Geology & Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionFaculty of Geosciences, University of BremenMarine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionDepartment of Geology, University of InnsbruckFaculty of Geosciences, University of BremenMARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of BremenAbstract Present-day serpentinization systems, such as that at the Mariana forearc, are prominent sources of reduced volatiles, including molecular hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4), and are considered analogs for chemosynthetic ecosystems on early Earth. However, seepage of serpentinization fluids through mud volcanoes at the Mariana forearc seafloor is defined by high pH, and nutrient scarcity, creating challenging conditions for microbial life. We present geochemical and lipid biomarker evidence for a subsurface biosphere shaped by episodic substrate availability, highlighting microbial persistence across steep geochemical gradients within serpentinite mud. Light stable carbon isotope compositions from diagnostic lipids reveal a temporal shift from hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis to sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation. Membrane adaptations, including unsaturated diether, acyclic and branched tetraether, and ether-based isoprenoidal and non-isoprenoidal glycosidic lipids, reflect microbial strategies for coping with this extreme environment. Our findings establish the Mariana forearc as a unique serpentinite-hosted biosphere, where life operates at the fringes of habitability.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02667-6 |
| spellingShingle | Palash Kumawat Elmar Albers Wolfgang Bach Frieder Klein Walter Menapace Christoph Vogt Florence Schubotz Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc Communications Earth & Environment |
| title | Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc |
| title_full | Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc |
| title_fullStr | Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc |
| title_short | Biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the Mariana forearc |
| title_sort | biomarker evidence of a serpentinite chemosynthetic biosphere at the mariana forearc |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02667-6 |
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