Yohey Suzuki, Seiya Yamashita et al. discover the presence of bacterial cells in the iron-rich smectite on aged subseafloor basaltic rock using nanoscale solid characterizations. Analysis of their lipid profiles and DNA sequences reveals the dominance of heterotrophic bacteria, suggesting the presence of organic matter resources in the subsea basalt.
- Yohey Suzuki
- Seiya Yamashita
- Motoo Ito