How do deep-sea organisms get to the hydrothermal vents in the first place?
Q: Our first question involves deep-sea organisms. How do these deep-sea microbes and animals get to the hydrothermal vents in the first place? (Ms. Carolyn Sheild’s 7th grade Life Sciences, Clarke Middle School, Lexington, MA). Dr. Costa Vetriani, Rutgers University A: Microorganisms are very small (micron range) single-cell organisms, hence they very easily disperse in the oceanic environment. When they find a suitable environment, they start using the resources (nutrients) and divide. The fact that very often we find similar bacteria at deep-sea vents that are geographically distant supports the idea that microorganisms disperse very easily, and then the environment selects for specific types (for example, sulfur-metabolizing bacteria). Another reservoir of microorganisms adapted to the deep-sea vent environment (high temperature, anoxic conditions) may exist underneath the ocean crust; these microorganisms may then be flushed out by the flux of hydrothermal fluids. Abby Fusaro, Woo
