Close-up view of tubeworms (Riftia pachyptila), bathed in dilute hydrothermal fluids, at water depths over a mile and half (~2.5 km) under the Pacific Ocean, can tolerate high temperatures and sulfide concentrations. They have tubes that can reach lengths of 3 m, and the red "plume" that sticks out of the top contains hemoglobin, which is used to exchange compounds with the environment (e.g., hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, etc.) that are used by symbiotic bacteria that live in a specialized organ (trophosome) to make energy.
Species (common):
Year: 2004
Details:
Media Type: Photograph
Data Type: Photograph
Device Type: Camera:Digital
Feature: EPR:9N:Tica
Investigator: Vicki Ferrini
Expedition: AT11-20
Chief Scientist: Marvin Lilley
Species: Riftia pachyptila (Tube worm) Bathymodiolus thermophilus