EAGER: Science Verification Activities for the 6500m HOV Alvin

该项目将支持“阿尔文”号科学验证考察队在完成大修和升级后，在波多黎各海沟和开曼群岛中部海隆进行6 500米深的深海潜水。科学验证考察队将测试和记录改进后的和新的HOV“阿尔文”号系统和操作，深度增加到6 500米，这是“阿尔文”号升级所实现的。科学验证活动将以社区讲习班的投入为指导（2020年夏季）关于未来十年深海研究的优先事项。该项目将为早期职业科学家提供观察和参与HOV Alvin探险的机会（很可能是第一次），提供关键的培训，通过使用这一国家资产来推进他们的研究事业。该项目将与K-12名学生和研究人员在工作地点附近的国家和地区，以确保土著居民可以参与并受益于所进行的研究。高带宽船对海岸通信将是这一努力的关键，因为COVID限制将阻止这些科学家和学生亲自参与，并将阻止科学党在这些国家和地区上岸。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

This project will support an Alvin Science Verification Expedition to conduct dives to abyssal depths, down to 6500m, in the Puerto Rico Trench and at the Mid-Cayman Rise following completion of the major overhaul and upgrade.The science verification expedition will test and document the improved and new HOV Alvin systems and operations at increased depths down to 6500m, made possible by the Alvin Upgrade. Science verification activities will be guided by input from the community workshop (Summer 2020) on priorities in abyssal research for the coming decade.The project will offer early career scientists an opportunity to observe and participate in an HOV Alvin expedition (most likely for the first time), providing critical training to advance their research careers through the use of this national asset.The project will engage with K-12 students and researchers in nations and territories adjacent to work sites to ensure that indigenous populations can participate in and benefit from the research conducted. High-bandwidth ship-to-shore communications will be critical to this effort as COVID restrictions will prevent in-person participation by these scientists and students and will prevent the science party from being ashore in these nations and territories.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.