부산대학교 도서관

The shallow-water hydrothermal vent of D. João de Castro Seamount in the North Atlantic, between the Azorean islands São Miguel and Terceira, is characterized by yellow and white zones which are distinct in physical and chemical characteristics. The white zone is characterized by high content of H2S, CH4, H2, Pb and Co, and temperature of ~37°C. The yellow zone is characterized by high concentrations of Fe, Ba and Mn and temperature of ~60°C. In this recently described vent site, we have studied species diversity of benthic diatoms and heterotrophic microorganisms and their metal tolerance. Species diversity of benthic diatoms was marginally higher in white than the yellow zone. A higher number of heterotrophic organisms was isolated from the yellow zone than the white zone. Most of the culturable heterotrophic bacterial isolates showed better growth in the presence of Fe, Mn and Pb than in their absence. Here we report the presence of culturable filamentous fungi and thraustochytrid protists from the shallow-water hydrothermal vent. Growth and protease production in one of the thraustochytrid cultures, were not affected by the addition of Fe, Mn and Pb to the culture medium. The presence of such metal-resistant bacteria and thraustochytrids may suggest their adaptation to survive in metal-enriched waters of hydrothermal vents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]