Chemosynthetically-driven ecosystems south of the Polar Front: biogeography and ecology
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Marine Science and Technology
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.
Organisations
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
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
Galván D
(2010)
Power of stable isotope techniques to detect size-based feeding in marine fishes
in Marine Ecology Progress Series
Galván DE
(2012)
Methodological uncertainty in resource mixing models for generalist fishes.
in Oecologia
Marsh L
(2012)
Microdistribution of faunal assemblages at deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Southern Ocean.
in PloS one
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
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
(2013)
High variability in spatial and temporal size-based trophodynamics of deep-sea fishes from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge elucidated by stable isotopes
in Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography
Rogers AD
(2012)
The discovery of new deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities in the southern ocean and implications for biogeography.
in PLoS biology
Will DK Reid (Author)
(2012)
Trophodynamics on Mid-Ocean Ridges: spatial patterns in macro-consumers of the Mid-Atlantic and East Scotia Ridges
Willis T
(2013)
Matching and mismatching stable isotope (d13C and d15N) ratios in fin and muscle tissue among fish species: a critical review
in Marine Biology
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 | 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 |