loading page

Archaeal Biomarker Records in Marine Sediments Impacted by Methane Transport: Insights from Peru Margin
  • +2
  • Sajjad Akam,
  • Hussain Abdulla,
  • Yige Zhang,
  • Joshua Avalos,
  • Richard Coffin
Sajjad Akam
Iowa State University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Hussain Abdulla
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Author Profile
Yige Zhang
Texas A&M University
Author Profile
Joshua Avalos
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Author Profile
Richard Coffin
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Author Profile

Abstract

The transport of methane from deep sediments towards the seafloor is widespread in ocean margins and has important biogeochemical implications for the deep ocean [1]. A significant portion (>80%) of methane entering the shallow sediments from below at present is oxidized by microbially-driven anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), which mainly involves a microbial consortium of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Isoprenoid Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) derived from core lipid membranes of ANMEs are often well preserved in sediment records. Methane Index (MI) is an organic geochemical proxy for methane seepage intensity which weighs in the relative proportion of GDGTs (GDGT-1,-2, and -3) preferentially synthesized by ANMEs with that of non-methane-related biomarker contribution from planktonic and benthic sources (Crenarchaeols) [2]. This study analyzed the GDGT composition of sedimentary core lipids from IODP Site 1230 (Peru Margin) using two silica columns and a high-resolution and accurate mass Orbitrap Fusion Mass Spectrometer. Our results report novel GDGT isomers with concentration peaking at the Sulfate-Methane Transition Zones (SMTZ) with the highest AOM activity around 8 mbsf. Further, these isomers were almost absent above and below the SMTZ. Our observations suggest that these characteristic isomers of GDGT compounds preserved at the SMTZ depth are sourced from ANMEs. Identification of these novel isomers has important implications in refining the MI and additional GDGT based palaeoceanographic proxies like TEX86. 1. Akam et al. (2020), Frontiers in Marine Science 7, 206. 2. Y. G. Zhang et al. (2011), Earth and Planetary Science Letters 307, 525-534.