Bacteriohopanepolyol signatures of cyanobacterial and methanotrophic bacterial populations recorded in a geothermal vent sinter

The distribution of bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs) in a modern terrestrial geothermal silica sinter has been employed as a proxy for bacterial populations and bacterially mediated processes occurring within the geothermal ecosystem. Analysis of samples from Opaheke Pool hot spring in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (North Island, New Zealand) revealed the presence of a suite of BHPs relating to cyanobacteria and Type I and Type II methanotrophic bacteria.