Chemosynthesis: a neglected foundation of marine ecology and biogeochemistry

Trends Microbiol. 2024 Jan 17:S0966-842X(23)00332-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.11.013. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChemosynthesis is a metabolic process that transfers carbon to the biosphere using reduced compounds. It is well recognised that chemosynthesis occurs in much of the ocean, but it is often thought to be a negligible process compared to photosynthesis. Here we propose that chemosynthesis is the underlying process governing primary production in much of the ocean and suggest that it extends to a much wider range of compounds, microorganisms, and ecosystems than previously thought. In turn, this process has had a central role in controlling marine biogeochemistry, ecology, and carbon budgets across the vast realms of the ocean, from the dawn of life to contemporary times.PMID:38296716 | DOI:10.1016/j.tim.2023.11.013

Source: Trends in Microbiology - January 31, 2024 Category: Microbiology Authors: Francesco Ricci Chris Greening Source Type: research