Collaborative Proposal: Challenger Deep and Trench-related Processes, Reconnaissance Studies with WHOI's 11km-Capability Hybrid-ROV

这项研究是一个试验性项目，旨在收集样本，测试太平洋板块如何通过俯冲在最深的海沟-马里亚纳海沟的挑战者深渊-循环的模型，使用世界上第一个全海洋深度的混合动力遥控潜水器(HROV)。这项工作是对深潜机器人采样器科学实用性的一次测试，它从海底最深处采集各种岩石、流体和生物样本，并将其带回地面。HROV采集的样本将允许研究和解释被冲出太平洋板块的俯冲流体的组成，以了解这些流体如何被用来了解影响俯冲带上覆的地幔和地壳岩石的矿物反应。由于流体携带着俯冲带上地幔中的反应产生的营养物质，为海底微生物群落和海底渗漏生物群提供燃料，这项工作还将提供一幅与世界最深海沟渗漏有关的生态系统图景。这项工作包括由HROV绘制海底地图，并使用HROV从马里亚纳海沟俯冲构造板块的海底采集岩石、流体、沉积物和生物样本。该项目还将制作对这些极端高压和化学独特环境中发生的生态系统的首批视频调查之一。更广泛的影响这项研究支持夏威夷大学和马萨诸塞州伍兹霍尔海洋研究所的研究人员，其中一人是女性。这项工作有助于建立能够在海洋最深处作业的新海洋设备的能力。其他影响与将收集的样本提供给更广泛的科学界有关。

ABSTRACTIntellectual MeritThis research is a pilot program to collect samples to test models of how the Pacific Plate is recycled through subduction at the deepest ocean trench, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, using the world's first full-ocean depth hybrid remotely operated vehicle (HROV). The work serves as a test of the scientific usefulness of the deep-diving robotic sampler by having it sample and return to the surface a wide variety of rock, fluid, and biological samples from the deepest part of the seafloor. Samples taken by the HROV will permit the composition of fluids driven off the Pacific Plate as it is subducted to be studied and interpreted in terms of how these fluids can be used to understand mineral reactions that affect the mantle and crustal rock overlying the subduction zone. Because fluids carry nutrients produced by reactions in the supra-subduction-zone mantle that fuel sub-seafloor communities of microorganisms and colonies of seafloor seep organisms, this work will also provide a picture of ecosystems associated with seeps at the world's deepest ocean trench. The work involves seafloor mapping by the HROV and using the HROV to take samples of rock, fluid, sediments, and organisms from the seafloor on the overriding tectonic plate in the Marianas Trench. The project will also produce one of the first video surveys of ecosystems that occur in these extremely high-pressure and chemically unique environments. Broader ImpactsThis research supports researchers at the University of Hawaii and at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, one of which is a woman. The work helps to build capabilities of new oceanographic equipment that is capable of operating at the deepest depths in the ocean. Additional impacts are related to making the samples to be collected available to the wider scientific community.