Pelliciari Silva, Ana Clara (2026) Microbial diversity associated with shallow water hydrothermal vents and their biotechnological applications. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Shallow-water hydrothermal vents (SHVs) are dynamic interfaces where geological activity, seawater chemistry, and microbial life converge, forming unique ecosystems shaped by steep gradients in temperature, chemistry, and light. Their accessibility compared to deep sea vents makes them valuable natural laboratories, bridging terrestrial and marine influences while supporting both chemosynthesis and photosynthesis. Microbial communities here drive primary production, mediate mineral transformations, and produce metabolites with potential biotechnological applications. Yet, despite their relevance to global biogeochemical cycles, SHVs remain underexplored, particularly regarding microbial diversity, functional capacity, and environmental controls. This thesis investigates SHVs as systems of ecological, evolutionary, and applied significance, integrating field observations, molecular approaches, and geochemical analyses. Chapter 1 reviews the state of knowledge on SHV geochemistry, microbiology, and ecosystem services, identifying knowledge gaps in microbial ecology, viral communities, and cultivation approaches. Chapter 2 presents a detailed case study from Milos Island, showing how hydrodynamic flow and benthic boundary layer interactions shape the composition and structure of white microbial mats. Chapter 3 examines carbon fixation in the Gulf of Naples’ Secca delle Fumose vent field, quantifying rates, and linking microbial processes to biosignature formation and carbon sequestration potential. Chapter 4 explores SHVs and hot springs as untapped reservoirs for novel antibiotic discovery, highlighting biosynthetic gene clusters and underexplored microbiomes in extreme environments. Together, these studies advance our understanding of SHV microbiology, revealing their ecological roles and their promise for biotechnology, from climate change mitigation to new drug discovery.

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