Microbial activity in the alteration of glass from pillow lavas from hole 896a

摘要: Within the altered parts of glass rim pillow lavas Hole 896A, at depths least 432 m below seafloor (237 top volcanic basement), microbes have been identified. This is indicated by size and shapes alteration textures verified presence DNA extreme accumulation K2O. demonstrates existence a subterranean biosphere. The microbially processed show wide scatter with respect to all major elements, which may be attributed active cells. Compared host basaltic glass, CaO Na2O are invariably depleted, as SiO2 MgO generally. A12O3, FeO(t), TiO2 either depletion or enrichment, K2O enriched, P2O5 enriched. Microbes living on, causing dissolution of, accommodate elements released from it within cells, thus function individual element reservoirs. also produce precipitates water-soluble compounds. Hence, microbial comprises substantial volume component oceanic crust an enormous surface area, significant bearing on mechanism for chemical exchange between ocean water.