The second filter then captures the smaller lifeforms, which include bacteria whose average size is between 0.4 0.5 micrometers. Most of the water samples that are taken by this equipment are from various areas around the hydrothermal vents. The research done on these water samples has a twofold focus. The first thing they are looking for involves microbial diversity . This isn t as simple as it sounds.
Bacteria don t have physical characteristics easily identified .
This information is then compared with a database made mostly from the genetic signatures of natural bacteria that they HAVE been able to culture. When they find a signature that doesn't match anything they have on file bingo .we have something new. The second goal of their research involves learning more about the symbiont bacteria of the tubeworms. The tubeworms have one species of bacteria as symbionts, and all available evidence to date indicates they must acquire these bacteria from the environment. In order to explore this possibility, they are looking for the genetic signature of the tubeworm symbiont in the bacterial samples filtered from the water near the vents each day.