UDTR — Radar mondial des droits de la Nature

Diversity and connectivity of bacterial communities in polymetallic nodule-rich abyssal plains (Eastern Tropical Pacific)

Identification

Clé publique

radar:r-805a30b1b12327e45882f8f271fa43c8

Auteurs

Batuhan Yapan · Felix Janßen · Antje Boëtius · Matthias Haeckel · Massimiliano Molari

Année déclarée

2026

Langue déclarée

en

Type source

article

Première détection

2026-11-14T02:00:26.280327+00:00

Dernière observation des métadonnées

2026-11-14T02:00:26.280327+00:00

Dernière vérification HTTP

Non effectuée

Institutions déclarées par la source

Max Planck Society · University of Bremen · Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology · Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung · Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute · GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel · Fondazione Centro Marino Internazionale

Pays d’affiliation déclarés

DE · IT · US

Résumé documentaire — langue originale

Polymetallic nodules of the abyssal seafloor are considered potential resources of nickel, cobalt, copper, as well as rare earth elements. The Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ) hosts potential nodule mining sites licensed to several contractors for exploration of the metal resources. A solid understanding of natural conditions and their variability is fundamental for assessing environmental risks of future mining, particularly regarding microbial communities that play key roles in biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we sequenced 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes from environmental samples across polymetallic nodule fields in the Pacific Ocean to investigate baseline patterns of benthic bacterial diversity. Bacterial communities were compared among sediments, nodules, and bottom waters. Samples from the DISCOL Experimental Area in the Peru basin are included in the analysis to provide a broader spatial perspective. The patterns of benthic bacterial diversity and connectivity observed in this study corroborate those previously reported, extending across spatial scales from tens to thousands of kilometers. These patterns include: higher bacterial alpha-diversity in sediments compared to nodules and bottom waters, and benthic bacterial communities enriched by taxa that are potentially involved in metal cycling and resilient to metal toxicity (e.g., Hyphomicrobiaceae, Magnetospiraceae, Methyloligallaceae, Kiloniellaceae). Our findings underscore the significance of these patterns for the management of mining activities in deep-sea environments. The most abundant taxa showed a high connectivity between areas investigated, with differences mostly controlled by isolation-by-distance. Still, bacterial community structures showed substantial differences among investigated areas that were partly driven by the availability of trophic resources and nodule coverage. Turnover in community structure on a regional scale was small and mainly controlled by distance. However, community composition in terms of relative abundances showed a high variability even on local scales <30km, most likely due to spatial heterogeneity in environmental conditions (e.g., topography and nodule coverage). These results indicate that environmental management of deep-sea mining and conservation strategies should consider both regional connectivity and local heterogeneity in microbial communities. Establishing no-take or reference areas with similar microbial composition to mining sites will be essential to preserve ecosystem functions and services.

Identifiants

OPENALEX

https://openalex.org/W7155394312

DOI

10.3389/fmars.2026.1759595

Repères documentaires

Famille documentaire

article

Types déclarés par les sources

article

Éditeurs

Frontiers Media

Les mentions d’entités ne constituent pas une preuve de reconnaissance juridique. La juridiction étudiée est distincte du pays d’affiliation des auteurs.

Sources

OpenAlex · Document 1

• Document · https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2026.1759595

Statut documentaire

Pertinence à examiner

Bibliothèque

Cette identité n’est pas encore intégrée à la Bibliothèque juridique.