1. XXX Workshop of the Speleology Group “Cayo-XXX Workshop of the Speleology Group “Cayo-
Barien”, Cuban Society of SpeleologyBarien”, Cuban Society of Speleology
Minerva Camping Site, Villa Clara, CubaMinerva Camping Site, Villa Clara, Cuba
December 9December 9thth
-11-11thth
, 2016, 2016
CHEMOSYNTHESIS AS A PRIMARY PRODUCTIONCHEMOSYNTHESIS AS A PRIMARY PRODUCTION
MECHANISM IN CAVES AND IN DEEPMECHANISM IN CAVES AND IN DEEP
HYDROSPHEREHYDROSPHERE
Rolando Cardenas, Noel Perez and RosmeryRolando Cardenas, Noel Perez and Rosmery
Nodarse. e-mail:Nodarse. e-mail: rcardenas@uclv.edu.curcardenas@uclv.edu.cu
Planetary Science Laboratory; School ofPlanetary Science Laboratory; School of
Mathematics, Physics and Computing Science;Mathematics, Physics and Computing Science;
Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas,Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas,
Santa Clara, CubaSanta Clara, Cuba
2. PrimaryPrimary Energy Sources forEnergy Sources for
LifeLife
-- PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis: Electromagnetic waves,: Electromagnetic waves,
mostly in the range 400-700 nmmostly in the range 400-700 nm (light)(light)
-- ChemosynthesisChemosynthesis: Energy delivered by: Energy delivered by
chemical reactions.chemical reactions.
3. Deuterobiosphere and Crustal BiomeDeuterobiosphere and Crustal Biome
Por, F.: Deuterobiosphere the Chemosynthetic Second Biosphere ofPor, F.: Deuterobiosphere the Chemosynthetic Second Biosphere of
thethe Globe. A First Review. Integrative Zoology 3, 101 (2008)Globe. A First Review. Integrative Zoology 3, 101 (2008)
4. BioEnergetics of ChemosynthesisBioEnergetics of Chemosynthesis
-- Any redoxAny redox process that yields at least 20 kJ/mol of freeprocess that yields at least 20 kJ/mol of free
energy is capable of supporting microbial metabolism.energy is capable of supporting microbial metabolism.
- The sequence of redox processes that occurs is- The sequence of redox processes that occurs is
constrained by the availability of electron donors andconstrained by the availability of electron donors and
acceptors along geochemical gradients.acceptors along geochemical gradients.
- Reactions thermodynamically favored will- Reactions thermodynamically favored will
preferentially occur as the microbes mediating thosepreferentially occur as the microbes mediating those
reactions are able to outcompete microbes mediatingreactions are able to outcompete microbes mediating
reactions that yield less energy.reactions that yield less energy.
PohlmanPohlman, J.: The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress, J.: The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress
and possibilitiesand possibilities.. HydrobiologiaHydrobiologia 677677, 33 (2011), 33 (2011)
5. Chemosynthesis in deepChemosynthesis in deep
hydrosphere: hydrothermal ventshydrosphere: hydrothermal vents
- Primary energy source is mantle derived, mostly from:- Primary energy source is mantle derived, mostly from:
- Geothermal photons still provide some potential for photosynthesis- Geothermal photons still provide some potential for photosynthesis
((Perez, N., Cardenas, R., Martin, O., Leiva-Mora, M.: The potential forPerez, N., Cardenas, R., Martin, O., Leiva-Mora, M.: The potential for
photosynthesis in hydrothermal vents: a new avenue for life in thephotosynthesis in hydrothermal vents: a new avenue for life in the
Universe? Astrophysics and Space ScienceUniverse? Astrophysics and Space Science 346346, 327 (2013))., 327 (2013)).
Black Smoker TY, East Pacific Rise (from Google Images)
6. Chemosynthesis in sulfurousChemosynthesis in sulfurous
mineral cavesmineral caves
Energy also comes from:Energy also comes from:
This ecosystem totally relies on chemosynthesis as primaryThis ecosystem totally relies on chemosynthesis as primary
production mechanism.production mechanism.
Movile cave, Romania (from Google Images)
7. Anchialine ChemosynthesisAnchialine Chemosynthesis
Organic matter is oxidized:Organic matter is oxidized:
When hydrogen sulfide migrates to oxic sediments:When hydrogen sulfide migrates to oxic sediments:
Anchialine caves (from Google Images)
8. Differentiating Chemosynthesis fromDifferentiating Chemosynthesis from
PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis
Values of δValues of δ1313
C are usually lower in chemosyntheticallyC are usually lower in chemosynthetically
based ecosystems. Organic matter in photosyntheticallybased ecosystems. Organic matter in photosynthetically
based ecosystems will have higher δbased ecosystems will have higher δ1313
C.C.
Nitrogen isotopes can also be useful.Nitrogen isotopes can also be useful.
Stable Carbon Isotopes
9. Physical and biogeochemical processesPhysical and biogeochemical processes
in an oligotrophic anchialine cavein an oligotrophic anchialine cave
Physical transport: black, biogeochemical processes: redPhysical transport: black, biogeochemical processes: red
PohlmanPohlman, J.: The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress, J.: The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress andand
possibilitiespossibilities.. Hydrobiologia 677, 33 (2011)Hydrobiologia 677, 33 (2011)
10. Physical and biogeochemical processesPhysical and biogeochemical processes
in an eutrophic anchialine cavein an eutrophic anchialine cave
Physical transport: black, biogeochemical processes: redPhysical transport: black, biogeochemical processes: red
PohlmanPohlman, J.: The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress, J.: The biogeochemistry of anchialine caves: progress andand
possibilitiespossibilities.. Hydrobiologia 677, 33 (2011)Hydrobiologia 677, 33 (2011)
11. Related research proposalsRelated research proposals
• Chicxulub asteroid impact as potentialChicxulub asteroid impact as potential
creator of habitats forcreator of habitats for
chemoautotrophs (due to oceanic crustchemoautotrophs (due to oceanic crust
fracture)fracture)
• Mathematical modeling of ANAMMOX
(Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation):
NHNH44
++
+ NO+ NO22
--
→ N→ N2(g)2(g) +2H+2H22OO
12. Boquerones Expedition (March/2016)Boquerones Expedition (March/2016)
Inside the underground pathInside the underground path
of Jabibonico del Norte riverof Jabibonico del Norte river
Exiting the undergroundExiting the underground
river path of around 900 mriver path of around 900 m
lengthlength
13. Boquerones Expedition (March/2016)Boquerones Expedition (March/2016)
In the wonderful “Perdidos” cave, in the Hall of Statues,In the wonderful “Perdidos” cave, in the Hall of Statues,
near “the Gremlin”near “the Gremlin”
14. A Science Doctor ThesisA Science Doctor Thesis
• On the Habitability of Natural EnvironmentsOn the Habitability of Natural Environments
• It integrates 26 publications of the stage 2000-2016,It integrates 26 publications of the stage 2000-2016,
covering aspects of Cosmology, Astrobiology and Earthcovering aspects of Cosmology, Astrobiology and Earth
and Environmental Sciencesand Environmental Sciences
• My (published) version of the evolution of habitability inMy (published) version of the evolution of habitability in
the Universe, with a bias towards photosyntheticallythe Universe, with a bias towards photosynthetically
based biospheres.based biospheres.
15. II International Conference onII International Conference on
BioGeoSciencesBioGeoSciences
Modeling natural environments:Modeling natural environments:
From Earth’s ecosystems to exoplanetsFrom Earth’s ecosystemsto exoplanets
BioGeoSciences-2017BioGeoSciences-2017
Cayo Santa María, Cuba, October 23Cayo Santa María, Cuba, October 23rdrd
-27-27thth
, 2017, 2017
