Hydrogen provides energy for bacteria in 'extreme' habitats
Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 13:30
in Biology & Nature
In deep ocean waters, some organisms can thrive in a presumably hostile type of ecosystem: hydrothermal vents, which have been the focus of extensive research for more than 30 years. Today, an international study reveals for the first time that bacteria living in association with hydrothermal mussels are capable of using hydrogen as an energy source to produce organic matter.