THE RECENT PROGRESS OF SUBMARINE HYDROTHERMAL BIOMINERALIZATION

The study of biomineralization in modern hydrothermal vent system is one of the keys to the research and the exploring of the early history of the earth, the evolution of life, the subsurface biosphere and the study of terrestrial planets (such as the Mar). It has in the past decade become one of the focuses of geobiological research with the application of the microelectronic technology and molecular biology technology. Available information indicates that microorganisms play a critical role in the formation of oxyhydroxides (for instance, Fe, Mn, S or Si oxyhydroxide) and silicates in the hydrothermal systems of the earth. Furthermore, the biomineralization of modern chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms has been identified to be the nexus of the interaction between the geoshpere and the biosphere and one of the forces to push forward the in-depth study of bioscience and geosciences In this paper, we summarized the ongoing research of hydrothermal bionmieralzaiton, including the biogenic minerals, the microbial biodiversity and the interactions between the minerals and microorganisms. In the foreseeable future, the research of hydrothermal biomineralization will inspire both the development of geosciences and biosciences and deepen our understanding of the earth history, life evolution and even astrobiology.