Fluxes of oil

Figure 3: Fluxes of oil and methane from deep sediments fuel consumption of sulfate and production of hydrogen sulfide. This hydrogen sulfide serves as a food source to chemoautotrophic bacteria like Beggiatoa (shown here on the surface of the sediment). Image courtesy of Mandy Joye.

Related Links

Expedition to the Deep Slope

Expedition to the Deep Slope: Microbiology

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery