CENTER for DARK ENERGY BIOSPHERE INVESTIGATIONS

C-DEBI Newsletter – March 16, 2020

C-DEBI Newsletter – March 16, 2020
This newsletter is also accessible via our website.
 

Publications & Press

Environmental Microbiology
Another Chemolithotrophic Metabolism Missing in Nature—Sulfur Comproportionation – NEW!
Jan P. Amend*, Heidi S. Aronson, Jennifer Macalady, Douglas E. LaRowe*
*C-DEBI Contribution 523

Chemotrophic microorganisms gain energy for cellular functions by catalyzing oxidation‐reduction (redox) reactions that are out of equilibrium. Calculations of the Gibbs energy (∆Gr) can identify whether a reaction is thermodynamically favorable and quantify the accompanying energy yield at the temperature, pressure, and chemical composition in the system of interest. Based on carefully calculated values of ∆Gr, we predict a novel microbial metabolism—sulfur comproportionation (3H2S + SO42‐ + 2H+ ⇌ 4S0 + 4H2O). We show that at elevated concentrations of sulfide and sulfate in acidic environments over a broad temperature range, this putative metabolism can be exergonic (∆Gr<0), yielding ~30‐50 kJ/mol. We suggest that this may be sufficient energy to support a chemolithotrophic metabolism currently missing from the literature. Other versions of this metabolism, comproportionation to thiosulfate (H2S + SO42‐ ⇌ S2O32‐ + H2O) and to sulfite (H2S + 3SO42‐ ⇌ 4SO32‐ + 2H+), are only moderately exergonic or endergonic even at ideal geochemical conditions. Natural and impacted environments, including sulfidic karst systems, shallow‐sea hydrothermal vents, sites of acid mine drainage, and acid‐sulfate crater lakes, may be ideal hunting grounds for finding microbial sulfur comproportionators.

Nature
Recycling and metabolic flexibility dictate life in the lower oceanic crust – NEW!
Jiangtao Li, Paraskevi Mara, Florence Schubotz, Jason B. Sylvan, Gaëtan Burgaud, Frieder Klein, David Beaudoin, Shu Ying Wee, Henry J. B. Dick, Sarah Lott, Rebecca Cox, Lara A. E. Meyer, Maxence Quémener, Donna K. Blackman & Virginia P. Edgcomb

The lithified lower oceanic crust is one of Earth’s last biological frontiers as it is difficult to access. It is challenging for microbiota that live in marine subsurface sediments or igneous basement to obtain sufficient carbon resources and energy to support growth or to meet basal power requirements during periods of resource scarcity. Here we show how limited and unpredictable sources of carbon and energy dictate survival strategies used by low-biomass microbial communities that live 10–750 m below the seafloor at Atlantis Bank, Indian Ocean, where Earth’s lower crust is exposed at the seafloor. Assays of enzyme activities, lipid biomarkers, marker genes and microscopy indicate heterogeneously distributed and viable biomass with ultralow cell densities (fewer than 2,000 cells per cm3). Expression of genes involved in unexpected heterotrophic processes includes those with a role in the degradation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, use of polyhydroxyalkanoates as carbon-storage molecules and recycling of amino acids to produce compounds that can participate in redox reactions and energy production. Our study provides insights into how microorganisms in the plutonic crust are able to survive within fractures or porous substrates by coupling sources of energy to organic and inorganic carbon resources that are probably delivered through the circulation of subseafloor fluids or seawater.

See also the accompanying Nature news article.
 

 
 
 
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Meetings & Activities

C-DEBI: Nominations now open for the 2020 Networked Speaker Series
C-DEBI seeks nominations for three speakers for the 2020 program. C-DEBI is continuing the Networked Speaker Series (begun in Fall 2011) as a means to enhance communication and the exchange of ideas among our spatially distributed community. Potential speakers can be nominated by colleagues, mentors, or those mentored by C-DEBI participants; they can also self nominate. Selected C-DEBI Networked Speakers will make a presentation online, using video conferencing tools, with assistance from the C-DEBI main office at USC. Nominated C-DEBI Networked Speakers should be capable of combining compelling visual materials with the ability to communicate effectively to a broad audience. We are particularly enthusiastic about giving young researchers a chance to present work to the C-DEBI community. Being selected to be a C-DEBI Networked Speaker is an honor.

GRS: Carbon at the Intersection of the Biosphere and Geosphere, June 27-28, Lewiston, ME, USA
Applications for this meeting must be submitted by May 30, 2020. Any applicants who wish to be considered for an oral presentation should submit their application by March 27, 2020.

IODP-USSSP: New 2050 Science Framework open for community comment – UPDATED!
The deadline to review the document and respond has been postponed to March 31, 2020.

ISSM 2020: Call for poster abstracts
The deadline for submitting poster abstracts (oral presentation abstract submissions are now closed) is March 31, 2020.

Microenergy 2020: 4th International Workshop on Microbial life under extreme energy limitation, September 7-11, Sandbjerg Manor, Denmark
The deadline for abstract submissions is April 1, 2020.

AGU: Nominate Your Peers for 2020 Honors – UPDATED!
Nominations are now open for 2020 AGU honors, including the Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize. Extended Deadline: April 15, 2020.

GRC: Exploring Fluxes, Forms and Origins of Deep Carbon in Earth and Other Terrestrial Planets, June 28-July 3, 2020, Lewiston, ME, USA
Applications for this meeting must be submitted by May 31, 2020.

Serpentine Days: 5th Workshop, September 21-24, Sestri Levante (Genova, Italy)
Registration will close June 30, 2020.

UDE: Hydrocarbon degradation in oil reservoirs and aquifers, July 20-22, Germany – UPDATED!
Due to the developing situation with Coronavirus outbreak, we have to cancel the conference. We are aiming at rescheduling later this year.

UNOLS: Science in the Abyss Workshops

Ongoing Activities:

Education & Outreach

C-DEBI: Applications Now Open for the 2020 Summer Undergraduate GEM Course – NEW!
The GEM Course is an all-expenses paid, three-week intensive introductory course in Global Environmental Microbiology (GEM) geared toward early-career undergraduates from 2- and 4-year institutions. The course focuses on microbes found in aquatic environments investigated through authentic research experiences (students collect, process & interpret data). This residential course includes lectures, labs and fieldwork at USC and on Santa Catalina Island.

Where:  University of Southern California campus and Santa Catalina Island, CA
When:  June 14 – July 2, 2020
Who:  Undergraduates from 2 or 4-year colleges
Cost:  FREE, including travel, plus modest stipend
How to apply: https://www.darkenergybiosphere.org/education-diversity/for-undergraduates/gem-course/

Note: First generation college, women, and under-represented students encouraged to apply

Application Deadline:  March 25, 2020 at 5:00pm PDT. For questions and comments, contact Gwen Noda at gnoda@usc.edu.

LDEO: Apply to the undergraduate STEMSEAS program
Applications due March 31, 2020.

IODP-USSSP: Apply to host an Ocean Discovery Lecturer
Lecture topics include hydrothermal microbial communities with C-DEBI researcher, Jessica Labonté. Deadline to apply to host a lecturer: May 15, 2020.

 

Undergraduate Student Spotlight

Learn more about our summer undergraduate course and meet the rest of the 2019 Global Enviromental Microbiology students.


Proposal Calls

NSF: Dimensions of Biodiversity
The 2020 program is restricted to projects supported by international partnerships with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) of Brazil, and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. Full Proposal Deadline: March 27, 2020.

IODP: Apply to Sail on IODP Expedition 395 – NEW!
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for scientific participants on Expedition 395 Reykjanes Mantle Convection and Climate aboard the JOIDES Resolution. Reykjanes Mantle Convection Expedition 395 will investigate mantle upwelling beneath Iceland, which supports the regional bathymetry and has led to changes in the height of oceanic gateways that control the strength of deep-water flow over geologic timescales. This drilling program contains three objectives: (1) to test contrasting hypotheses for the formation of V-shaped ridges that are the result of interaction between the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Iceland plume; (2) to understand temporal changes in ocean circulation and explore connections with plume activity; and (3) to reconstruct the evolving chemistry of hydrothermal fluids with increasing crustal age, varying sediment thickness, and crustal architecture. Expedition 395 is based on IODP Proposal 892-Full2 (Mantle Dynamics, Paleoceanography and Climate Evolution in the North Atlantic Ocean) and will target the sediments and 130 m of igneous basement along with downhole logging at five sites east of Reykjanes Ridge. Four sites intersect V-shaped ridges/troughs pairs, one of which coincides with Bjorn Drift. The fifth site is located over 32.4 Ma oceanic crust devoid of V-shaped features, chosen to intersect Oligocene-Miocene sediments of Gardar Drift. Millennial-scale paleoclimate records are contained within rapidly accumulated sediments of contourite drifts in this region. The accumulation rate of the sediments is a proxy for current strength, and the sediments also provide constraints for climatic events including Pliocene warmth, the onset of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation, and abrupt Late Pleistocene climate change. Major, trace and isotope geochemistry of basalts will allow us to observe spatial and temporal variations in mantle melting processes. This combined approach will explore relationships between deep Earth processes, ocean circulation, and climate. The expedition will take place from 26 June to 26 August 2020. Opportunities exist for researchers (including graduate students) in all shipboard specialties, including but not limited to sedimentologists, petrologists, micropaleontologists, paleomagnetists, petrophysicists, borehole geophysicists, igneous geochemists, inorganic and organic geochemists. The deadline to apply is March 30, 2020.

NSF: Facilitator of Marine Seismic Capabilities for the U. S. Research Community
The proposal submission deadline is April 10, 2020.

NSF: Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
Full proposal deadline: July 27, 2020.

UNOLS: 2020 Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Cruise Opportunities
The application deadline for the Fall 2020 Deployment Operations cruises is is August 3, 2020.

NSF: Biological Oceanography
Full proposal target date: August 17, 2020.

NSF: Chemical Oceanography
Full proposal target date: August 17, 2020.

NSF: Physical Oceanography
Full proposal target date: August 17, 2020.

NSF: Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Pathways into the Earth, Ocean, Polar and Atmospheric & Geospace Sciences (IUSE:GEOPAths)
Letter of Intent Due Date: November 17, 2020.

NSF: Research Traineeship (NRT) Program
Full Proposal Deadline Date: February 6, 2021.

Rolling Calls:

Employment

Queen Mary U of London: 3-year Postdoc, Arctic soil biogeochemical modelling
Deadline: Apply before March 20, 2020 for full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

U of Georgia: Assistant or Associate Professor – Biological Oceanography

WWU: Assistant Professor in Marine Molecular Biology

 

 
 
 
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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