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 sediment surface). Image courtesy of Mandy Joye.

Related Links

Expedition to the Deep Slope

Expedition to the Deep Slope: Microbiology

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery