Chemosynthetically-driven ecosystems south of the Polar Front: biogeography and ecology
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Ocean and Earth Science
Abstract
We propose an analysis of the chemosynthetic ecosystems in Antarctica south of the Polar Front. We will conduct a detailed investigation and analysis of four contrasting types of chemosynthetically-driven communities, together with their regional tectonic setting. The communities chosen for our investigation comprise: those associated with high-temperature, bare-rock hydrothermal vents (East Scotia Ridge), high-temperature, sediment-hosted hydrothermal activity (Bransfield Strait), mud volcanoes (South Sandwich fore-arc basin) and methane hydrates (north of King George Island). We propose three cruises and subsequent laboratory-based programmes. Cruise 1 will be to the East Scotia Sea where we will examine the tectonic setting and sample the hydrothermal discharge using autonomous underwater vehicles and the hydrothermal sampler BRIDGET. Cruise 2 will be to the same area and will use the UK Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Isis to dive on, sample and characterise the biological and physical environment surrounding vent and seep sites identified during Cruise 1. Cruise 3 will be a combined geophysical, chemical and biological cruise, using the ROV Isis to dive upon and examine hydrothermal and cold seep environments both north and south of King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Subsequent analysis will compare the hydrothermal and seep chemistry among these four sites. We will use morphological, molecular, lipid and stable isotope analyses of microbial and metazoan populations to determine the phylogeography of species, and understand the food web processes. Our programme will determine whether colonisation of vents and seeps, in these most isolated of chemosynthetically-driven ecosystems, is driven by oceanographic or tectonic processes or whether any site is, instead, host to completely isolated evolution.
Publications
Amon D
(2013)
The discovery of a natural whale fall in the Antarctic deep sea
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Aquilina A
(2014)
Hydrothermal sediments are a source of water column Fe and Mn in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Baba K
(2009)
A New Species of Squat Lobster (Decapoda, Anomura, Chirostylidae) from the Philippines and Indonesia
in Crustaceana
Boschen R
(2013)
Distribution, population structure, reproduction and diet of Ophiolimna antarctica (Lyman, 1879) from Kemp Caldera in the Southern Ocean
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Cole C
(2014)
Rare earth elements as indicators of hydrothermal processes within the East Scotia subduction zone system
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Cole Catherine
(2013)
Biogeochemistry of hydrothermal systems in the Scotia Sea
Hawkes JA
(2013)
Characterisation of iron binding ligands in seawater by reverse titration.
in Analytica chimica acta
Hawkes Jeffrey Alistair
(2013)
Iron speciation in hydrothermal plumes
James R
(2014)
Composition of hydrothermal fluids and mineralogy of associated chimney material on the East Scotia Ridge back-arc spreading centre
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Marsh L
(2013)
Getting the bigger picture: Using precision Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) videography to acquire high-definition mosaic images of newly discovered hydrothermal vents in the Southern Ocean
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Marsh L
(2015)
In hot and cold water: differential life-history traits are key to success in contrasting thermal deep-sea environments.
in The Journal of animal ecology
Marsh L
(2012)
Microdistribution of faunal assemblages at deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Southern Ocean.
in PloS one
Millard AD
(2016)
Biogeography of bacteriophages at four hydrothermal vent sites in the Antarctic based on g23 sequence diversity.
in FEMS microbiology letters
Nye V
(2013)
A new species of Eualus Thallwitz, 1892 and new record of Lebbeus antarcticus (Hale, 1941) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Hippolytidae) from the Scotia Sea
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Reid W
(2016)
Isotopic niche variability in macroconsumers of the East Scotia Ridge (Southern Ocean) hydrothermal vents: What more can we learn from an ellipse?
in Marine Ecology Progress Series
Rogers AD
(2012)
The discovery of new deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities in the southern ocean and implications for biogeography.
in PLoS biology
Roterman C
(2013)
Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for three species of vent-endemic megafauna from deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Scotia Sea, Southern Ocean
in Conservation Genetics Resources
Roterman CN
(2013)
The biogeography of the yeti crabs (Kiwaidae) with notes on the phylogeny of the Chirostyloidea (Decapoda: Anomura).
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Description | This project has revealed high-temperature hydrothermal vents and their associated marine life for the first time in the Antarctic, discovering at least 24 new species of deep-sea creatures and advancing our understanding of dispersal and evolution in the deep ocean, which covers most of our planet. In addition, the programme has advanced our understanding of the relationships between microbes and animals in marine environments, and provided new insights into the geological processes of volcanism and plate tectonics that shape our world. The programme has contributed to the achievement of the overall objectives of the International Census of Marine Life and InterRidge, the organisation promoting international cooperation in research at seafloor spreading centres. |
Exploitation Route | Results and imagery from this project have been used by international media organisations (e.g. National Geographic, BBC in broadcast documentaries), public engagement projects for deep-sea exploration (e.g. James Cameron's DeepChallenge project), and marine conservation outreach. |
Sectors | Creative Economy Education Environment Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Other |
Description | Our findings have been used by a wide variety of international media organisations, for example with HD ROV video footage featuring in documentaries produced by National Geographic and the BBC. Our integrated programme of public engagement with this research project has also delivered the societal benefits of "generating inspiration and curiosity about science", "raising awareness of research findings and their context", and "providing cultural enrichment by supporting lifelong learning", and we have captured evidence of those specific outcomes from our engagement activities through appropriate and innovative evaluation methods. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Description | Chemosynthetic communities in the Southern Ocean |
Organisation | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | This is a collaboration between the ChEsSo partnership in the UK and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to examine the ecology and biogeography of vents and seeps in the Southern Ocean |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Discussion of deep-sea mining |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A survey by ECORYS on behalf of EU DG Mare on the effects of deep-sea mining |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Interview about hydrothermal vents |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | As above |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Interview about underwater volcanoes |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | General questions about hydrothermal vents for popular press |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Labyrint- medden in de wetenshap |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Contribution to a Dutch TV programme about the deep sea |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Reproduction in the deep sea: sex under pressure |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Seminar at University of Plymouth |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |