Most life on Earth depends on the sun for energy. But what about creatures that exist deep in the ocean, away from sunlight? A recent study from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) explores how a type of single-celled organism called foraminifera survives in dark, oxygen-free waters. These tiny creatures use a process called chemoautotrophy, which allows them to extract energy from inorganic sources, like sulfide, to gather carbon and thrive in these extreme conditions.
Chemoautotrophy is known in simpler organisms like Bacteria and Archaea. However, foraminifera are different because they are eukaryotes, meaning they have a defined nucleus that holds their genetic material.
Fatma Gomaa, a researcher at WHOI, explains, “We chose to study this foraminifera because it lives in environments similar to those on Earth during the Precambrian period, a time before animals evolved. Back then, the oceans had little to no oxygen and high levels of toxic compounds, just like some modern seafloor environments.” Understanding how this foraminifera obtains energy and carbon can help us see how these organisms adapt to changes and how complex life evolved on our planet.
The research team used a remotely operated vehicle named Hercules, part of the E/V Nautilus, to gather sediments containing foraminifera about 570 meters (1,870 feet) deep off the coast of California. They employed two primary methods to study the foraminifera’s life strategies. First, they added a preservative that glowed red to the samples, keeping the organisms intact for study.
To analyze their metabolic processes, the researchers performed gene expression analyses and used an isotopic carbon tracer. This technique allowed them to trace how carbon moved through the foraminifera’s metabolic pathways. They kept these samples on the seafloor for about 24 hours before recovering them under red light to avoid any damage.
This study not only sheds light on how some organisms survive in extreme environments, but also helps us understand the broader picture of life’s evolution on Earth.
Check out this related article: Transforming Europe’s Maritime Sector: Key Steps to Achieve EU Environmental Goals
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