C-DEBI Newsletter – September 17, 2018

Publications & Press

Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
Marine Shallow-Water Hydrothermal Vents: Geochemistry – NEW!
Roy E. Price*, Donato Giovannelli*
*C-DEBI Contribution 435

Marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents are defined as occurring at less than ~ 200 m below sea level, and are often found off the coasts of island arc volcanoes, which provide the necessary heat source to drive circulation. Recent research suggests that marine shallow-water hydrothermal vents, also known as “shallow-sea” vents (SHVs), are abundant across the Earth. While they have many similarities to deep-sea hydrothermal vents (DHVs), they also have many important differences, primarily due to their occurrence at shallower depths. Here we introduce SHVs and describe some of the processes which influence their geochemistry. This information is summarized from Price and Giovannelli (2017), and is complementary to Giovannelli and Price (2018), which describes the microbiology of shallow-sea vents.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Three-dimensional models of hydrothermal circulation through a seamount network on fast-spreading crust – NEW!
Rachel M. Lauer, Andrew T. Fisher*, Dustin M. Winslow
*C-DEBI Contribution 439

We present results from three-dimensional, transient, fully coupled simulations of fluid and heat transport on a ridge flank in fast-spread ocean crust. The simulations quantify relationships between rates of fluid flow, the extent of advective heat extraction, the geometry of crustal aquifers and outcrops, and crustal hydrologic parameters, with the goal of simulating conditions similar to those seen on 18–24 M.y. old seafloor of the Cocos plate, offshore Costa Rica. Extensive surveys of this region documented a ∼14,500 km² area of the seafloor with heat flux values that are 10–35% of those predicted from conductive cooling models, and identified basement outcrops that serve as pathways for hydrothermal circulation via recharge of bottom water and discharge of cool hydrothermal fluid. Simulations suggest that in order for rapid hydrothermal circulation to achieve observed seafloor heat flux values, upper crustal permeability is likely to be ~10^-10 to 10^-9m², with more simulations matching observations at the upper end of this range. These permeabilities are at the upper end of values measured in boreholes elsewhere in the volcanic ocean crust, and higher than inferred from three-dimensional modeling of another ridge-flank field site where there is less fluid flow and lower advective power output. The simulations also show that, in a region with high crustal permeability and variable sized outcrops, hydrothermal outcrop-to-outcrop circulation is likely to constitute a small fraction of total fluid circulation, with most of fluid flow occurring locally through individual outcrops that both recharge and discharge hydrothermal fluid.
 

CalTech: Mostly Microbes – NEW!
Investigating Earth’s ancient history. Gaining new knowledge that could help inform the search for life at the edge of our solar system. Comprehending unseen forces that influence our changing climate. Victoria Orphan’s fascination with microbes connects her to all of that.

Boston Globe: To find life on other planets, scientists are exploring submerged volcanoes on Earth – NEW!
Featuring C-DEBI Researcher Julie Huber. In the darkness of a sanctum known as the inner space center, a team of volcanologists, marine biologists, and other scientists whispered into microphones as they looked over their glowing monitors at a large projection screen, where a live feed showed a research vessel bobbing in heavy seas off Hawaii. Atop the ship was one of the world’s most advanced remotely operated vehicles, which the scientists were hoping to send some 4,000 feet below in search of signs of life along a massive underwater volcano, a dark, desolate place no human has ever explored.

Proposal Calls

NSF: EAR Postdoctoral Fellowships (EAR-PF)
Full proposal deadline: September 19, 2018.

NSF: Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Pathways into Geoscience (IUSE: GEOPATHS)
Letter of Intent deadline:  September 21, 2018.

IODP: Submit a Drilling Proposal – NEW!
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) explores Earth’s climate history, structure, mantle/crust dynamics, natural hazards, and deep biosphere as described in the IODP Science Plan Illuminating Earth’s Past, Present, and Future. IODP facilitates international and interdisciplinary research on transformative and societally relevant topics using the ocean drilling, coring, and downhole measurement facilities JOIDES Resolution (JR), Chikyu, and Mission Specific Platforms (MSP). All three IODP facilities are now encouraging new proposals. The JR is currently scheduled into early 2020. The JR is expected to operate in the Equatorial and North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and the Arctic in 2021 and 2022, and to complete its circumnavigation with a return to the Indo-Pacific region by 2023. Proposals for these future operational areas are strongly encouraged. MSP expeditions are planned to operate once per year on average to recover core from targets that are generally inaccessible by JR and Chikyu. MSP proposals for any ocean are welcomed. To encourage exciting Chikyu expeditions in the future, new pre-proposals for both riser and non-riser operations will be considered. Next proposal deadline: October 1, 2018.

NSF: Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
Application deadlines: October 22-26, 2018.

NSF: Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) – Graduate Research Internship Program (GRIP)
GRIP applications are due December 4, 2018.

C-DEBI: Rolling call for Research Exchange proposals

DCO: Deep Life Cultivation Internship Program

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, related to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).

NSF: Arctic Sciences Program Solicitation

NSF: Division of Environmental Biology (core programs) (DEB)

NSF: Instrument Capacity for Biological Research (ICBR) – NEW!
Advances in the biological sciences are enabled by our capacity to acquire, manage, represent, and analyze biological information through the use of modern instrumentation and computational tools.  Instrumentation Capacity for Biological Research (ICBR) invites proposals that specifically enable increased access to state of the art instrumentation in support of the biological sciences by (1) increasing access to a community of users through broadening of dissemination of such instrumentation, and (2) broadening access to state-of-the art instrumentation and facilities at a regional or national level. The “Rules of Life” is one of the NSF’s ten big ideas for future investment. Understanding these basic “Rules” and how they operate across scales of time, space, and complexity to determine how genes function and interact with the environment will enable us to predict the phenotype, structure, function, and behavior of organisms. Providing scientists with the instrumentation and resources necessary to make these discoveries requires investments in new instrumentation capabilities and extending access to existing instrumentation and experimental facilities. Competitive proposals under ICBR  will expand access to new or existing instrumentation that supports a significant segment of the biological research community conducting research in areas supported by the NSF Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO). The program will support activities that (1) enhance the access to and dissemination of innovative instrumentation, and (2) promote and enable access to existing instrumentation facilities (ie. imaging, genomics, proteomics, etc.) at the regional or national level.

NSF: Non-Academic Research Internships for Graduate Students (INTERN) Supplemental Funding Opportunity

NSF: Research Assistantships for High School Students (RAHSS): Funding to Broaden Participation in the Biological Sciences

NSF: Research Experience for Teachers (RET): Funding Opportunity in the Biological Sciences

NSF: Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)

Employment

U Waterloo (Canada): Assistant/Associate Professor Position in Geomicrobiology
Application deadline: October 1, 2018.

Bigelow: Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Microbial Ecology – NEW!
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for the Emerson lab to take part in a study of iron-cycling in the Arctic tundra. The primary goal of this project is to better understand microbial communities associated with iron-oxidation and reduction in the permafrost active layer. Specifically we will address how biogenic iron oxides impact the carbon cycle principally through interactions with methane production and consumption. The work will combine cultivation-independent field approaches with mesocosm studies conducted in the laboratory. The data acquired will also be used in modeling efforts to gain a better understanding of ecosystem processes related to microbial iron metabolism and methane production. Candidates should have strong microbial ecology skills with a demonstrated ability for field and/or laboratory work; experience with, or a willingness to learn a programming language such as R or Matlab is a plus. The project will involve extended stays at the Toolik Field Station, a remote field station on Alaska’s north slope. The candidate must be able to lift 50 lbs. of gear, and be capable of extended hikes in difficult terrain. This is a two-year position with possibility of extension for a third year. Candidates with an interest in making a career of Arctic-related microbiology are encouraged to apply. Consideration of candidates will begin October 10, 2018; start dates will need to be several months prior to the 2019 field season.

U Edinburgh: Chancellor’s Fellowships – NEW!
Edinburgh has just opened its new Chancellor’s Fellowship round and this time we have a theme in Extreme Conditions/Astrobiology led out of Physics and Astronomy/UK Centre for Astrobiology. These are Fellowships leading automatically to permanent positions and we’re really keen to attract outstanding candidates. In particular, we’d like to find someone who will set up and run their own group in extreme biology/astrobiology. We’re particularly keen to encourage microbiologists and people with an interest in linking that to space exploration. As our ‘Center for Science in Extreme Conditions’ has an interest in high pressure science, an interest in high pressure biology would be very attractive, but not essential. The position could also cover people interested in space biotechnology/space manufacturing as this is of interest to the School of Biological Sciences who are setting up a new biotechnology center. Applications due October 15, 2018.

Rice: Wiess and Pan Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships
The applications are due on November 1, 2018.

BIOS: Postdoctoral Scholarship in Oceanography

U South Florida: Two Tenure-Track Faculty Positions in Chemical and Geological Oceanography

U Southern Mississippi: Three Positions (Postdoctoral Researcher, Graduate Student, Research Technician) in Marine Microbial Ecology

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: Ph.D. and Postdoc position available