Microbial anabolic and catabolic utilization of hydrocarbons in deep subseafloor sediments of Guaymas Basin.

ABSTRACT

Guaymas Basin, located in the Gulf of California, is a hydrothermally active marginal basin. Due to steep geothermal gradients and localized heating by sill intrusions, microbial substrates like short-chain fatty acids and hydrocarbons are abiotically produced from sedimentary organic matter at comparatively shallow depths. We analyzed the effect of hydrocarbons on uptake of hydrocarbons by microorganisms via nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) and microbial sulfate reduction rates (SRR), using samples from two drill sites sampled by IODP Expedition 385 (U1545C and U1546D). These sites are in close proximity of each other (ca. 1 km) and have very similar sedimentology. Site U1546D experienced the intrusion of a sill that has since then thermally equilibrated with the surrounding sediment. Both sites currently have an identical geothermal gradient, despite their different thermal history. The localized heating by the sill led to thermal cracking of sedimentary organic matter and formation of potentially bioavailable organic substrates. There were low levels of hydrocarbon and nitrogen uptake in some samples from both sites, mostly in surficial samples. Hydrocarbon and methane additions stimulated SRR in near-seafloor samples from Site U1545C, while samples from Site U1546D reacted positively only on methane. Our data indicate the potential of microorganisms to metabolize hydrocarbons even in the deep subsurface of Guaymas Basin.