Deep Biosphere Quantification in Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure Sediments

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The project will investigate the Deep Biosphere of the Chesapeake Bay Impact Structure post-impact sediments. The main objective is the visualization and quantification of living prokaryotes and the quantification of abundant prokaryotic groups. A high proportion of the total number of prokaryotic cells (AODC) has been identified as living Bacteria in deep sediments from the Pacific using quantitative PCR and CARD - FISH. We plan to use these techniques to allow the extrapolation of this important finding to the Chesapeake Bay impact structure sediments. Quantitative PCR will also be used to quantify Archaea and Bacteria from abundant clusters of 16S rDNA and functional genes, e.g. the dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene (dsrAB) of sulfate reducing prokaryotes. In addition, hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms will be enriched, isolated and described. 50 sediment core samples from various depths will be analyzed to explore the "Deep Biosphere".