Ecological Analysis of a Chemoautotrophically-Based Groundwater Community

摘要：9420033，皮凯恩和金克尔：地下水生态系统蕴藏着不同寻常的、在很大程度上未被描述的生物群落。热液地区或硫还原地区的地下水生态系统可接收硫化氢形式的能量。1977年在深海的热液喷口发现了以化学能源(如硫化氢、甲烷、氨、锰、铁)为基础的生态系统，最近在罗马尼亚发现了可能具有类似能源来源的地下水生态系统。该项目将对这一生态系统以及微生物和无脊椎动物群落进行全面分析。这项研究之所以重要，有四个原因。首先，罗马尼亚这个相当容易进入的洞穴生态系统提供了一个机会，来测试化学合成而不是光合作用是否产生了供养这个生态系统中的有机体的有机物，就像它在海洋热液喷口群落中所做的那样。其次，这个洞穴是大量以前不为科学所知的特有生物的家园，可以更彻底地描述和描述这些生物。第三，该项目加强了美国和罗马尼亚科学家之间的紧密合作。第四，硫化物氧化产生有机物的机制会产生副产品硫酸。这一过程可能很好地解释了快速形成大型洞穴的方法，例如在美国西南部的卡尔斯巴德和莱丘吉拉洞穴发现的洞穴。

Abstract: 9420033, PI-KANE and KINKLE: Groundwater ecosystems harbor unusual and largely un-described biotic communities. Groundwater ecosystems in hydrothermal regions or in areas where reduced sulfur is present can receive energy in the form of hydrogen sulfide. Ecosystems based around energy from chemical sources (e.g. hydrogen sulfide, methane, ammonium, manganese, iron) were found at hydrothermal vents in the deep oceans in 1977, and a groundwater ecosystem with similar possible sources of energy was recently found in Romania. A comprehensive analysis of this ecosystem and the microbial and invertebrate communities is to be studied by this project. This research is important for four reasons. First, this reasonably accessible cave ecosystem in Romania provides the chance to test if chemosynthesis, rather than photosynthesis, produces the organic matter which feeds the organisms in this ecosystem as it does in marine hydrothermal vent communities. Second, the cave is home to a large number of endemic organisms previously unknown to science which can be more thoroughly characterized and described. Third, the project strengthens a strong collaboration between U.S. and Romanian scientists. Fourth, the mechanism of producing organic matter from the oxidation of sulfide creates sulfuric acid as a byproduct. This process may well explain the method by which rapid formation of large caves can occur such as is found at Carlsbad and Lechuguilla Caverns in the southwestern United States.