Speaker

James F. Holden, Professor, UMass Amherst, Dept. of Microbiology

Autotrophy and competition among thermophiles from hydrothermal vents

Abstract

Thermophilic methanogens and some sulfur reducers in hydrothermal vents can fix CO2 usingH2 as an energy source. However, our understanding of how and where these organisms grow in the sub seafloor, their biogeochemical impact, the isotopic biomarkers they produce, and growth competition between them is nascent. Our work with thermophilic and hyperthermophilic methanogens and sulfur reducers will be presented that address these questions and their implications for high-temperature life in hydrothermal vents, life on the early Earth, and possible life in ocean worlds.