CENTER for DARK ENERGY BIOSPHERE INVESTIGATIONS

C-DEBI Newsletter – November 15, 2016

C-DEBI Newsletter – November 15, 2016
This newsletter is also accessible via our website.

Message from the Director

At last month’s C-DEBI Annual Meeting, our presently-funded research and education community met to discuss our current activities. The meeting was preceded by a graduate student and postdoctoral professional development workshop “Building Leadership in Science Communication” co-hosted by the Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting at the University of Rhode Island. See the agenda and resources.

Don’t forget to apply for our grants and fellowships due December 1, and perhaps we’ll meet you at next year’s Annual Meeting!

Cheers,

Jan Amend
C-DEBI Director

Publications

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Evidence for microbial mediation of subseafloor nitrogen redox processes at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii
Jason B. Sylvan*, Scott D. Wankel, Douglas E. LaRowe*, Chawalit N. Charoenpong, Julie A. Huber*, Craig L. Moyer, Katrina J. Edwards*
*C-DEBI Contribution 338

The role of nitrogen cycling in submarine hydrothermal systems is far less studied than that of other biologically reactive elements such as sulfur and iron. In order to address this knowledge gap, we investigated nitrogen redox processes at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii, using a combination of biogeochemical and isotopic measurements, bioenergetic calculations and analysis of the prokaryotic community composition in venting fluids sampled during four cruises in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2013. Concentrations of NH4+ were positively correlated to dissolved Si and negatively correlated to NO3–+NO2–, while NO2– was not correlated to NO3–+NO2–, dissolved Si or NH4+. This is indicative of hydrothermal input of NH4+ and biological mediation influencing NO2– concentrations. The stable isotope ratios of NO3– (δ15N and δ18O) was elevated with respect to background seawater, with δ18O values exhibiting larger changes than corresponding δ15N values, reflecting the occurrence of both production and reduction of NO3– by an active microbial community. δ15N-NH4+ values ranged from 0‰ to +16.7‰, suggesting fractionation during consumption and potentially N-fixation as well. Bioenergetic calculations reveal that several catabolic strategies involving the reduction of NO3– and NO2– coupled to sulfide and iron oxidation could provide energy to microbes in Loihi fluids, while 16S rRNA gene sequencing of Archaea and Bacteria in the fluids reveals groups known to participate in denitrification and N-fixation. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that microbes are mediating N-based redox processes in venting hydrothermal fluids at Loihi Seamount.

Proposal Calls

C-DEBI: Call for Research Project and Postdoctoral Fellowship Proposals
C-DEBI invites proposals for 1-year research projects (in the anticipated range of $50,000-$80,000) and 1-2 year graduate student and postdoctoral fellowships that will significantly advance C-DEBI’s central research agenda: to investigate the subseafloor biosphere deep in marine sediment and oceanic crust, and to conduct multi-disciplinary studies to develop an integrated understanding of subseafloor microbial life at the molecular, cellular, and ecosystem scales. C-DEBI’s research agenda balances exploration-based discovery, hypothesis testing, data integration and synthesis, and systems-based modeling. C-DEBI research support is provided to “expeditions of opportunity”, and we’ve created a webpage listing potential options for participation. We welcome you to provide information about other expeditions of opportunity to share with the C-DEBI community! Help us further our mission to explore life beneath the seafloor and make transformative discoveries that advance science, benefit society, and inspire people of all ages and origins. C-DEBI welcomes proposals from applicants who would enhance diversity in C-DEBI and STEM fields. This request for proposals is open to all interested researchers at US institutions able to receive NSF funding as a subaward. Proposal deadline: December 1, 2016.

UNOLS: Request for Letters of Interest for R/V Langseth Planning
The Marcus Langseth Science Oversight Committee (MLSOC) is requesting Letters of Interest to use for R/V Langseth long-range planning. Marine seismologists interested in using the R/V Marcus Langseth for International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) site surveying in particular, and other pertinent programs more generally, can find the details of this request in a Letter from the MLSOC, available on the MLSOC website. If you are interested in a future marine seismic program on R/V Langseth, please respond to Nathan Bangs, MLSOC Chair (nathan@ig.utexas.edu) with a letter by December 2, 2016. Specific guidelines can be found in the Letter from the MLSOC.

DCO: Deep Energy Community, Third Call for Proposals
Application deadline: November 20, 2016.

IODP-USSSP: Proposals for Pre-Drilling Activities and Workshops
The U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP) accepts proposals on a rolling basis for pre-drilling activities and semi-annually for workshops (next submission deadline December 1, 2016), related to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).

IODP-USSSP: Schlanger Ocean Drilling Fellowships
The submission deadline is December 2, 2016.

NSF: Division of Environmental Biology (core programs) (DEB) Program Solicitation
Preliminary proposal due date: January 23, 2017.

NSF: Long Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) Program Solicitation
Preliminary proposal due date: January 23, 2017.

NSF: Dear Colleague Letter (DCL): Provision of Shallow Advanced Piston Coring Capabilities on JOIDES Resolution to the U.S. Research Community: “JR100”

NSF: Arctic Sciences Program Solicitation
Proposals accepted anytime.

Education & Outreach

C-DEBI: Call for Education and Outreach Project Proposals
C-DEBI invites proposals to support education and outreach projects, with a budget of up to $50,000 and a project duration of 1 year. The C-DEBI Education & Outreach Grants Program will fund the development of educational opportunities and materials that are pertinent to deep biosphere research in the subseafloor environment in support of our education and outreach goal to create distinctive, targeted education programs and promote increased public awareness about life below the seafloor. Help us further our mission to explore life beneath the seafloor and make transformative discoveries that advance science, benefit society, and inspire people of all ages and origins. C-DEBI welcomes proposals from applicants who would enhance diversity in C-DEBI and STEM fields. Proposal deadline: December 1, 2016.

MARUM: ECORD Training Course 2017, March 6-10, 2017, Bremen, Germany
As host to one of only three IODP core repositories in the world – the only one in Europe – the MARUM in Bremen is an important hub for marine geoscientists. Taking advantage of this setting, the new ECORD Training Course will provide a “Virtual Drillship Experience” for scientists from academia and industry. This one-week course offers a basic training focusing on the IODP core flow procedures, preparing the participants for sailing in an offshore drillship expedition, and instilling them with an appreciation for high standards in all kinds of coring projects. IODP-style lab exercises will form the foundation of the ECORD Training Course following the pattern of the unique “Virtual Ship” approach developed for the Bremen ECORD Summer Schools. The application deadline is January 9, 2017.

The Data Incubator: 8-week fellowship
Application deadline: November 17, 2016.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security: HS-STEM Summer Internship Program
Application deadline: December 7, 2016.

NSF: ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers (ADVANCE) Program Solicitation
Letter of intent due date: December 14, 2016.

 

Meetings & Activities

C-DEBI: New rolling call for community workshop support!
The NSF Science and Technology Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) invites proposals for $15,000 on average (and up to $20,000) in direct funds for community workshops that will help to advance C-DEBI’s central research agenda: to investigate the subseafloor biosphere deep in marine sediment and oceanic crust, and to conduct multi-disciplinary studies to develop an integrated understanding of subseafloor microbial life at the molecular, cellular, and ecosystem scales. C-DEBI’s research agenda balances exploration-based discovery, hypothesis testing, data integration and synthesis, and systems-based modeling. C-DEBI welcomes proposals from applicants who would enhance diversity in C-DEBI and STEM fields.

2016 AGU Fall Meeting: Deep Biosphere-related Sessions

Missing a session of interest? Let us know!

IODP-USSSP: ECORD Accepting Applications for Facility Board
Application deadline: December 2, 2016.

ISSM 2017: Conference Announcement
Abstract submissions open December 15, 2016.

SIO: Participate in a Science Verification Cruise (SVC) abord the R/V Sally Ride

Employment

Princeton: Hess Postdoctoral Research Fellows Program, Geosciences
The Department of Geosciences at Princeton University announces competition for the 2016-2017 Harry Hess Fellows Program. This honorific postdoctoral fellowship program provides opportunities for outstanding geoscientists to work in the field of their choice. Research may be carried out independently or in collaboration with members of the Geosciences Department. One or more Hess Fellows may be appointed. Current areas of research include: Biogeochemical Cycles, Environmental Chemistry, Paleoclimatology, Paleontology, Geochronology, Earth History, Geochemistry, Geodynamics, Planetary Science, Tectonics, Seismology, Mineral Physics, Petrology, Geomicrobiology, Atmospheric Science, and Oceanography. Hess Fellowships provide a competitive annual salary, depending upon experience, along with a significant allowance for travel to meetings and for research support. Initial awards are for one year, with the possibility of renewal for additional years depending upon satisfactory performance and available funding. A preferred starting date is on or before September 1st, 2017. Applicants for the Hess Fellowship may also be considered for other available postdoctoral positions in the Geosciences Department. Applications are due by January 1, 2017, but evaluation of applications and interviews of candidates will begin immediately.

SIO: Faculty Position in Biological Oceanography/Marine Ecology
Application deadline: November 20, 2016.

SIO: Faculty Position in Marine Geophysics
Application deadline: November 20, 2016.

CIW: Geophysical Laboratory Postdoctoral Fellowships
The deadline for submitting an application is November 30, 2016 and the position begins the following summer or autumn.

University of California, Santa Cruz: Two Tenure-Track Faculty Positions in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department
(1) Fresh Water. Next review date: November 23, 2016. (2) Global Biogeochemistry. December 1, 2016.

University of Pennsylvania: Two Graduate Research Assistant Positions

The Ohio State University: Assistant Professor in Earth Sciences

University of Southern Mississippi: Postdoctoral Research Position in Marine Microbial Ecology
Review of applicants will begin immediately and proceed until the position is filled.

Don’t forget to email me with any items you’d like to share in future newsletters! We will also broadcast this information on our social media outlets, Twitter and Facebook. You are what makes our deep biosphere community!

Best,
Matt
—
Matthew Janicak
Data Manager
Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)
University of Southern California
janicak@usc.edu
3616 Trousdale Pkwy, AHF 209, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371
Phone: 708-691-9563, Fax: 213-740-2437
Exploring life beneath the seafloor and making transformative discoveries that advance science, benefit society, and inspire people of all ages and origins.

C-DEBI is now on Twitter! Follow and tweet to us @deepbiosphere or tag #CDEBI.

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