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News Release 09-058

Better Living through Chemistry: Brine-Loving Microbes Reveal Secrets to Success in Chemically Extreme Environments

Scientists study how microbes survive and thrive in deep, dark, noxious, oxygen-depleted, super-salty ecosystems that may resemble primordial environments

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A mineral chimney and microbe mats on the sea floor in the Gulf of Mexico.

A mineral chimney and microbe mats on the sea floor in the Gulf of Mexico. Mineral chimneys are associated with sea vents that release oil and gas. The microbe mats are lying on sediments next to the mineral chimney.

Credit: Ian MacDonald, Texas A&M University


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Samantha Joye of the University of Georgia explains what the ocean bottom looks like.

Credit: The University of Georgia and National Science Foundation

 

Samantha Joye of the University of Georgia describes the study sites and findings.

Credit: The University of Georgia and National Science Foundation

 

Samantha Joye of the University of Georgia explains why microbes thrive in harsh conditions.

Credit: The University of Georgia and National Science Foundation

 

Samantha Joye of the University of Georgia tells why it is important to study microbes.

Credit: The University of Georgia and National Science Foundation

 

Samantha Joye of the University of Georgia explains what this study says about extraterrestrial life.

Credit: The University of Georgia and National Science Foundation

 

Samantha Joye of the University of Georgia answers, is it scary to go to the bottom of the ocean?

Credit: The University of Georgia and National Science Foundation

 

An erupting deep sea mud volcano contrasts with a quiet brine pool that is surrounded by large creatures, such as mussels, fish, eels and crabs; these creatures are supported by a food chain that has brine-loving microbes at its base.

Credit: Samantha Joye, Dept. of Marine Sciences, University of Georgia

 

Photo of black, oxygen-depleted briney water beneath a mussel bed.

Black, oxygen-depleted briney water is visible beneath a mussel bed.

Credit: Ian MacDonald, Texas A&M University


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