HR: 11:35h
AN: OS42A-06    [Abstracts]
TI: Medusa-Isosampler: A modular, network-based observatory system for combined physical, chemical and microbiological monitoring, sampling and incubation of hydrothermal and cold seep fluids
AU: * Schultz, A
EM: adam@coas.oregonstate.edu
AF: Oregon State University, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences, 104 COAS Admin Building, Corvallis, OR 97331-5503 United States
AU: Flynn, M
EM: adam@coas.oregonstate.edu
AF: NASA Ames Research Center, MS 239-15, Moffet Field, CA 94035 United States
AU: Taylor, P
EM: phil@coas.oregonstate.edu
AF: Cardiff University, School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff, CF10 3TE United Kingdom
AB: The study of life in extreme environments provides an important context from which we can undertake the search for extraterrestrial life, and through which we can better understand biogeochemical feedback in terrestrial hydrothermal and cold seep systems. The Medusa-Isosampler project is aimed at fundamental research into understanding the potential for, and limits to, chemolithoautotrophic life, i.e. primary production without photosynthesis. One environment that might foster such life is associated with the high thermal and chemical gradient environment of hydrothermal vent structures. Another is associated with the lower thermal and chemical gradient environment of continental margin cold seeps. Under NERC, NASA and industrial support, we have designed a flexible instrumentation system, operating as networked, autonomous modules on a local area network, that will make possible simultaneous physical and chemical sampling and monitoring of hydrothermal and cold seep fluids, and the in situ and laboratory incubation of chemosynthetic microbes under high pressure, isobaric conditions. The system has been designed with long-term observatory operations in mind, and may be reconfigured dynamically as the requirements of the observatory installation change. The modular design will also accommodate new in situ chemical and biosensor technologies, provided by third parties. The system may be configured for seafloor use, and can be adapted to use in IODP boreholes. Our overall project goals are provide an instrumentation system capable of probing both high and low-gradient water-rock systems for chemolithoautotrophic biospheres, to identify the physical and chemical conditions that define these microhabitats and explore the details of the biogeochemical feedback loops that mediate these microhabitats, and to attempt to culture and identify chemolithoautotrophic microbial communities that might exist there. The Medusa-Isosampler system has been produced and is now undergoing initial deployments at sea.
DE: 4294 Instruments and techniques
DE: 4803 Bacteria
DE: 3035 Midocean ridge processes
DE: 3094 Instruments and techniques
DE: 1094 Instruments and techniques
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting