MINDeSEA is providing data on chemosyntetic communities at hydrothermal vents, cold seeps and other environments of mineralization in the pan-European seas. We are investigating, in transdisciplinary teams, their microorganisms, the formation of biominerals and the antitumor activity of microorganisms on these environments. Read more about our latest findings at Microorganisms – Open Access Journal.
SEM micrographs of the tube of different specimens from different mud volcanoes and the expected arrangement of their layers. (A) El Cid MV specimen, with minerals on its external surface. (B) Al Gacel MV specimen, with a thick biofilm on its external surface. Microbial colonizers are detailed in Figure 5. (C) Anastasya MV specimen with remains of EPS on its external surface. (D) Al Gacel MV specimen with bacteria on its internal surface. A multilayer organization of the tube can be observed, chitin layers and minerals can be differentiated. (E) Internal layer of chitin with rounded silica from El Cid MV specimen. (F) Model of what is expected to be the arranging of the tube.Scheme of the conditions given in the different sampling sites. Notice principal metabolism of siboglinids depending on seepage activity and presence or absence of other chemosynthetic organisms. Methane concentration values are given in Sánchez-Guillamó.
