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MEPS 226:63-75 (2002)
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Abstract
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Tolerance of flagellated protists to high sulfide and metal concentrations potentially encountered at deep-sea hydrothermal vents
Michael S. Atkins1,*, Magda A. Hanna3, Erine A. Kupetsky4, Mak A. Saito2, Craig D. Taylor1, Carl O. Wirsen1
1Biology Department and
2Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole Road, Massachusetts 02543, USA
3Environmental Sciences Department, Northwestern University, 1847 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60201, USA
4Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, University Heights Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA
*E-mail: matkins@whoi.edu
ABSTRACT: The survival rates of 3 species of deep-sea hydrothermal vent flagellates were measured after exposure to chemical conditions potentially encountered in vent environments. The survival rates, measured as viability through time, of Caecitellus
parvulus, Cafeteria sp. and Rhynchomonas nasuta were determined and compared to shallow-water strains of the same species after exposure to increasing concentrations of sulfide or the metals Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Responses were variable
but in all cases these flagellates showed very high tolerance to extreme conditions. Cafeteria spp. were remarkable in that both strains showed 100% viability after a 24 h exposure to 30 mM sulfide under anoxic conditions. By contrast, the highest
naturally occurring sulfide concentrations ever measured are only 18 to 20 mM. There was little effect from metals at concentrations up to 10-3 M total metal, but a sharp decrease in viability occurred between 10-3 and
10-2 M total metal, due either to a rapid increase in the availability of free metal ions or colloid formation or both. This study is consistent with other previously reported studies that indicate these flagellate species are present and
capable of being active members of the microbial food webs at deep-sea vents.
KEY WORDS: Flagellate · Survival · Hydrogen sulfide · Metals · Hydrothermal vent · Extreme environment
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
226
(2002) on January 31
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2002
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