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Sulphur isotopic compositions of deep-sea hydrothermal vent animalsThe S-34/S-32 ratios of tissues from vestimentiferan worms, brachyuran crabs, and giant clams living around deep hydrothermal vents are reported. Clean tissues were dried, ground, suspended in 0.1 M LiCl, shaken twice at 37 C to remove seawater sulfates, dried at 60 C, combusted in O2 in a Parr bomb. Sulfur was recovered as BaSO4, and the isotopic abundances in SO2 generated by thermal decomposition of 5-30-mg samples were determined using an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer. The results are expressed as delta S-34 and compared with values measured in seawater sulfates and in normal marine fauna. The values ranged from -4.7 to 4.7 per thousand, comparable to vent sulfide minerals (1.3-4.1 per thousand) and distinct from seawater sulfates (20.1 per thousand) and normal marine fauna (about 13-20 per thousand). These results indicate that vent sulfur rather than seawater sulfur is utilized by these animals, a process probably mediated by chemoautotrophic bacteria which can use inorganic sulfur compounds as energy sources.
Document ID
19840031038
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Fry, B.
(Indiana Univ. Bloomington, IN, United States)
Gest, H.
(Indiana Univ. Bloomington, IN, United States)
Hayes, J. M.
(Indiana University Bloomington, IN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
November 3, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 306
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Accession Number
84A13825
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-15-003-118
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF PCM-79-10747
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF OCE-80-24895
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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