Ecological Analysis of a Chemoautotrophically-Based Groundwater Community

翻译后摘要：9420033，PI-KANE和KINKLE：地下水生态系统港口不寻常的，在很大程度上未描述的生物群落。热液地区或硫减少地区的地下水生态系统可以以硫化氢的形式接收能量。1977年在深海热液喷口发现了以化学来源（如硫化氢、甲烷、铵、锰、铁）为能源的生态系统，最近在罗马尼亚发现了一个可能具有类似能源的地下水生态系统。本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，罗马尼亚这个可以合理进入的洞穴生态系统提供了一个机会，可以测试化学合成，而不是光合作用，是否会产生有机物质，这些有机物质会像在海洋热液喷口群落中那样喂养这个生态系统中的生物。其次，洞穴是大量以前科学未知的地方生物的家园，可以更彻底地描述和描述。第三，该项目加强了美国和罗马尼亚科学家之间的密切合作。第四，硫化物氧化产生有机物的机制产生硫酸作为副产品。这一过程很好地解释了大洞穴快速形成的方法，例如在美国西南部的卡尔斯巴德和墨西哥龙舌兰洞穴。

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.