Seafloor blanket of chemosynthetic communities on a methane hydrate-associated mound on the seafloor in the Santa Monica Basin. The white and orange microbial mats contain aerobic methanotrophs along with other chemosynthetic bacteria. The space between the mats is crowded with clams.

A seafloor blanket of chemosynthetic communities on a methane hydrate-associated mound on the seafloor in the Santa Monica Basin. The white and orange microbial mats contain aerobic methanotrophs, along with other chemosynthetic bacteria. The space between the mats is crowded with clams. Photo courtesy of Monica Heintz.

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