Arsenic speciation in shrimp and mussel from the Mid-Atlantic hydrothermal vents

摘要: Abstract Specimens of shrimp (Rimicaris exoculata) and mussel (Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis) were collected 3500 m below the ocean surface at hydrothermal vents mid-Atlantic Ridge (TAG Snake Pit sites, respectively). Arsenic, a potentially toxic element, is among substances emitted by vents. The vent shrimp, which are known to be primary consumer producing chemolithoautotrophic bacteria, contained arsenic 13 μg g−1 almost exclusively as arsenobetaine (AsB). Arsenic was present in soft tissues 40 major part extractable species adductor muscle/mantle gill dimethylarsinylriboside-derivatives (arsenosugars), while AsB 16 3.6%, respectively, these tissues. In spite absence biosynthetically active algae, pattern found deep-sea similar that their counterparts from surface. It concluded autotrophic bacteria ecosystem symbiotic harboured responsible for biosynthesis organoarsenicals detected two animal species. not if formation same deep sea ecosystems primarily detoxification process inorganic arsenic, or whether compounds play physiological role.