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Science 24 December 2004:
Vol. 306. no. 5705, p. 2160
DOI: 10.1126/science.306.5705.2160c
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Although deep subterranean bacterial biota have very low metabolic rates, their metabolism is highly significant on a global scale. Submarine sediment depth-profile data from the Ocean Drilling Project have provided insight into electron acceptors for bacterial respiration, including sulfate, nitrate, and oxidized iron, as well as their metabolic end products, such as sulfide and methane. D'Hondt et al. (p. 2216; see the Perspective by DeLong) used these data to estimate microbial activities deep in the sediments. The expected stratifications were upset by intrusions of oxidized compounds, such as nitrate and sulfate from the basaltic aquifer.




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