Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Marine Microbiology and the German Cluster of Excellence MARUM discovered certain types of mollusks which live in the darkest depths of the ocean utilize hydrogen oxidizing bacteria as a source of fuel. This species of muscle, Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis, lives in symbiosis with sulfur- oxidizing bacteria which uses sulfur or hydrogen as an energy source. These specimens were found in the Logatchvec hydrothermal vent field which has the highest concentration of hydrogen ever documented. The enzyme, hydrogenase, required for oxidizing hydrogen was also discovered in other organisms inhabiting the areas surrounding deep sea vents.
This article is an example of hypothesis based science as the researchers revealed this unique ability while studying and conducting tests on a specimen of mollusk. This research could provide insight on how organisms living in a sunlight- free environment produce the energy required for their existence. Discerning the enzymes and genes which permit an organism’s metabolism to be dependent on hydrogen could pose new inquiries for geneticists, oceanographers, and microbiologist.
Author: Rebecca Boyle
Title: Symbiotic Bacteria Serve as Hydrogen “Fuel Cells” for Deep-Sea Mussels
Journal: Popular Science.com
Date Published: 8/16/2011
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