A Deep-Biosphere Research Coordination Network

科学家们假设，在地球表面以下数千公里的高温下，存在着一个广泛的微生物群落，这些微生物由地质能源提供支持。这个研究协调网络的目的是培养一个不断发展的、充满活力的、以年轻科学家为主的社区，研究存在于黑暗的深海海洋生物圈中的生命。这个地下隐藏生物圈的分支是众多的，可能导致生物科学和地球科学的范式转变。迄今为止，深层生物圈研究主要集中在相对较浅的海洋沉积物或陆地矿山、井和岩心样品中的微生物。然而，这些数据并不能对地下生命进行真正的全球普查。最大的潜在地下生物群落也是最难接近的：深海地下。该生物群系对全球尺度的生物地球化学过程也具有重要意义，包括碳、能量和营养循环。根据地温梯度和生命的物理化学极限，地下生物圈可延伸至5-10公里或更深的深度，其体积比大陆生物圈大几个数量级。RCN将在深海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，促进对研究有贡献的几个学科之间的教育。RCN将通过会议、研讨会、学生交换和一个网站来实现这些目标。其他外联活动包括通讯、工具和技术信息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，以促进对深层生物圈的研究。

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.