A Deep-Biosphere Research Coordination Network

深层生物圈研究协调网络

• 批准号: 0840985
• 负责人: Katrina Edwards
• 金额: $ 49.94万
• 依托单位: University of Southern California
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-06-01 至 2015-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0840985&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Deep; Biosphere; Research; Coordination; Network

Scientists have postulated the existence of a widespread community of microorganisms living at high temperatures kilometers below the Earth's surface, supported by geological energy sources. The purpose of this Research Coordination Network is to foster a growing, dynamic, and predominantly young community of scientists studying life that exists in the dark, deep marine biosphere. The ramifications of this subsurface hidden biosphere are numerous and may lead to paradigm shifts in the biosciences and geosciences. To date, deep biosphere studies have focused on microbes in relatively shallow marine sediments or in terrestrial mines, wells, and drill-core samples. However, these data do not permit a true global census of subsurface life. The largest potential subsurface biome is also the least accessible: the deep ocean subsurface. This biome also has importance for global-scale biogeochemical processes, including the carbon, energy, and nutrient cycles. Depending on geothermal gradients and physico-chemical limits of life, the subsurface biosphere may extend to a depth of 5-10 km, or more, and occupy a volume several orders of magnitude greater than the continental biosphere. The RCN will develop coordinate science activities in the community of deep-biosphere researchers. It will also promote education among several disciplines that contribute to the research through interlaboratory exchanges for students in this field. The RCN will meet these goals through meetings, workshops, student exchanges, and a web site. Additional activities for outreach include newsletters, web sites for information on tools and techniques, and special sessions at scientific meetings. The RCN will establish a research institute named DEBI (Dark Energy Biosphere Institute) that will foster the growth of research into the deep biosphere.

科学家们推测，在地质能源的支持下，存在着广泛存在的微生物群落，它们生活在地球表面以下几公里的高温环境中。这个研究协调网络的目的是培养一个不断增长的、充满活力的、以年轻人为主的科学家社区，他们研究存在于黑暗的深海海洋生物圈中的生命。这种地下隐藏生物圈的后果是多方面的，并可能导致生物科学和地球科学的范式转变。到目前为止，深层生物圈研究的重点是相对较浅的海洋沉积物或陆地矿山、井和钻探岩心样本中的微生物。然而，这些数据不允许对地下生命进行真正的全球普查。最大的潜在地下生物群也是最难接近的：深海次表层。这个生物群对全球范围的生物地球化学过程也很重要，包括碳循环、能量循环和营养循环。根据地温梯度和生命的物理化学极限，地下生物圈可能延伸到5-10公里或更深，占据的体积比大陆生物圈大几个数量级。区域协调网络将在深层生物圈研究人员社区开展协调的科学活动。它还将通过该领域学生的实验室间交流，促进促进研究的几个学科之间的教育。RCN将通过会议、研讨会、学生交流和网站来实现这些目标。其他外联活动包括通讯、关于工具和技术信息的网站以及科学会议的特别会议。RCN将建立一个名为DEBI(暗能量生物圈研究所)的研究机构，该研究所将促进对深层生物圈的研究增长。