Macro-ecology of cold seeps in the South China Sea

Xudong Wang; Hongxiang Guan; Jian-Wen Qiu; Ting Xu; Jörn Peckmann; Duofu Chen; Dong Feng

Geosystems and Geoenvironment (Aug 2022)

Macro-ecology of cold seeps in the South China Sea

Xudong Wang,
Hongxiang Guan,
Jian-Wen Qiu,
Ting Xu,
Jörn Peckmann,
Duofu Chen,
Dong Feng

Affiliations

Xudong Wang: Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hadal Science and Technology, College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Hongxiang Guan: Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Key Lab of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Techniques, MOE and College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Jian-Wen Qiu: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
Ting Xu: Department of Ocean Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
Jörn Peckmann: Institute for Geology, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
Duofu Chen: Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hadal Science and Technology, College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Dong Feng: Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hadal Science and Technology, College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Corresponding author. Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hadal Science and Technology, College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 1, no. 3
p. 100081

Abstract

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After nearly 20 years of exploration, various areas of the seafloor with hydrocarbon seepage have been discovered in the South China Sea (SCS). Through linking subsurface and seafloor biospheres, seeps have become natural laboratories to enhance our knowledge on the processes of hydrocarbon migration and associated hydrocarbon-based ecosystems in the marine environment. This review summarizes the distribution of macrofauna in the active seep areas of the SCS and describes the physiological characteristics of three groups of representative macrofauna (bathymodioline mussels, pliocardiine clams, siboglinid tubeworms). In addition, a comparison is made between the seep macrofauna of the SCS and the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Modes of energy transfer and microbial processes are elucidated by integrating trace element, stable isotope, and lipid biomarker data of macrofaunal soft tissues. Our aims are to provide an overview of the macro-ecology of the SCS seeps and to underscore aspects which desire more research efforts in the future.

Published in Geosystems and Geoenvironment

ISSN: 2772-8838 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Physical geography
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/geosystems-and-geoenvironment

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