In situ enrichment and isolation of thermophillic microorganisms from deep-sea vent environments

Abstract
An in situ sampler that encloses individual blocks of thermally stable solid medium made with Gelrite was successfully deployed at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent environment. A mixed population of microorganisms was enriched on the surface of the Gelrite blocks. Thermophilic Bacilli spp. and bacteria belonging to the Thermotogales were isolated.Key words: in situ enrichment, sampler, hydrothermal vent.