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OMZ sulfur cycling
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2012
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Cape Hatteras
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Project Title: |
CAREER: A functional genomic understanding of microbial sulfur cycling in oxygen minimum zones |
Project Status: |
Submitted |
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Principal Investigator: |
Frank J. Stewart, MSU |
Project Institution: |
GaTech |
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Project ID: |
102996 |
Version #: |
6 |
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Date Submitted: |
7/21/2011 5:28:00 PM |
Created By: |
Frank J. Stewart |
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Date Last Modified: |
3/22/2012 11:25:00 AM |
URI Serial #: |
None |
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Funding Agencies: |
NSF/OCE/BIO - OCE 1151698 - Funded |
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Summary of Field Work: |
Recent experimental and molecular evidence suggests that marine oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) support an abundant community of dissimilatory sulfur-metabolizing microorganisms, with potentially critical links to OMZ nitrogen and carbon cycles. The organisms (Bacteria and Archaea) mediating OMZ sulfur transformations have been only minimally characterized, but appear to be phylogenetically diverse, physiologically active, and widely distributed across diverse low-oxygen regions. Here, we propose a combination of metagenomic (DNA) sampling, gene expression profiling (RNA), and shipboard microcosm experiments to characterize microbial sulfur cycling in the permanent OMZ of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP) and the hypoxic “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Results will be contextualized relative to existing molecular characterizations from the Eastern Tropical South Pacific OMZ (Chile/Peru) and the seasonal OMZ in Saanich Inlet (British Columbia), thereby establishing a comparative framework for understanding the evolution and ecology of pelagic sulfur-metabolizing microorganisms in diverse low-oxygen regions.
Fieldwork will consist of two cruises to each site, in alternating summers over a total span of four years beginning in summer 2012 (ideally). We propose sampling in the ETNP OMZ at 10-15 stations along two transects running southeast-northwest along the coast (~19-24°N, 106-116°W) and northeast-southwest off the coast (~14-18°N, 106-115°W). Proposed sampling in the GOM will span 5-10 stations on an east-west transect through the hypoxic zone on the Louisiana shelf (~28-29°N, 89-94°W).
At each station, general water column parameters will be assessed via vertical depth surveys using a CTD equipped with sensors for fluorometry, PAR, and dissolved oxygen. Seawater collections for DNA samples and nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate) will be done via rosette casts to discrete depths spanning the oxycline and suboxic zones. More extensive sampling will be done at ~3-5 process stations. At these sites, coupled RNA + DNA samples will be collected from 4-8 depths via single-depth casts, so as to minimize time between bottle-firing and arrival on deck. At a subset of the process stations, additional seawater samples will be collected for shipboard microcosm experiments. We therefore anticipate ~6-10 CTD-rosette casts (~24 hrs) per process station (initial CTD profile + nutrient collection + RNA/DNA casts) and 1-2 casts (~4 hrs) per non-process station. |
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Summary of Facility Requirements: |
The proposed shipboard bottle experiments will involve maintaining temperature and ambient light at in situ levels. To do so, we would like to incubate the bottles in a chilled water bath/aquarium and will therefore require access to either a chilled-water system or a portable flow-through chiller. Ideally, these experiments would be performed in a temperature-controlled van or room (cold room) that could be kept dark during the incubations, though external shading could also be used to regulate light levels.
In addition, the project requires access to a rosette and CTD equipped with sensors for fluorometry, PAR, and dissolved oxygen. We will need wet lab bench and storage space (estimated 30-40 sq ft) for filtering and preserving rosette-based water samples, as well as space to put a liquid nitrogen dewar for flash-freezing and temporarily storing RNA samples. RNA samples can then be moved into a -80C freezer (if available) for longer-term storage. Access to a -20C freezer and 4C refrigerator will be needed for storing DNA samples, reagents, and samples for enrichment cultures. |
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Summary of other requirements and comments: |
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Type of Request: |
Collaborative Ship Use |
Request Status: |
Submitted |
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Request ID: |
1004672 |
Created By: |
Frank J. Stewart |
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Date Last Modified: |
3/22/2012 11:25:00 AM |
Date Submitted: |
7/21/2011 5:28:00 PM |
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Year: |
2012
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Ship/Facility: |
Cape Hatteras
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Optimum Start Date:
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7/1/2012 |
Dates to Avoid: |
We need to avoid sampling in the GOM hypoxic zone from October-May (Winter). |
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Earliest Start Date: |
6/15/2012 |
Multi-Ship Op: |
No |
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Latest Start Date: |
8/1/2012 |
Other Ship(s): |
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Operating Days Needed: |
Science Days |
Mob Days |
De-Mob Days |
Estimated Transit Days |
Total Days |
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8 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
18 |
Repeating Cruise?
(within same year) |
No |
Interval: |
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# of Cruises: |
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Description of Repeating cruise requirements: |
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Justification/Explanation for ship choice, dates,
conflicts, number of days & multi-ship operations: |
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Short Description of Op Area
for use in schedules: |
Louisiana shelf |
| Description of Op Area: |
Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone on Louisiana shelf (OMZ) |
| Op Area Size/Dia.: |
300 |
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Lat/Long |
Marsden Grid |
Navy Op Area |
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Beginning
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Ending
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Show Degrees Minutes |
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Foreign Clearance Required? |
No |
Coastal States:
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 Important Info on Foreign Research Clearances
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Are you or any member in your science party bringing in any science equipment items which are regulated for export by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)?
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No |
If yes, have you applied for the necessary permits through your export control office?
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No |
| Questions about ITAR/EAR regulations?
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Comments about foreign clearance requirements or
description of any other special permitting requirements
(e.g., MMPA, ESA, IHA, Marine Sanctuaries, etc.) |
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Requested Start Port |
Intermediate Port(s) |
Requested End Port |
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Gulfport, MS, USA |
None |
Gulfport, MS, USA |
Explanation/justification for requested
ports and dates of intermediate stops
or to list additional port stops |
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Important Info on Working in Foreign Ports
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Chief Scientist: |
Frank J. Stewart, MSU |
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# in Science Party |
6 |
# of different science teams |
1 |
# Marine Technicians to be
provided by ship operator:
(include in science party total)
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2 |
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Explanation of Science Party Requirements and Technician Requirements |
Two technicians are required to deploy and operate the CTD-rosette. Four additional party members are required for water collection, and shipboard physiological experiments. |
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 Dynamic Positioning | ADCP | Multibeam | Seismic |
| Dredging/Coring/Large Dia. Trawl Wire | Stern A-frame | Fiber Optic (.681) | 0.680 Coax Wire |
| SCUBA Diving | Radioisotope use - briefly describe | NO Radioisotope use/Natural level work | Other Operator Provided Inst. - Describe |
| 1 PI-Provided Vans - briefly describe | MOCNESS | | |
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Explain Instrumentation or Capability
requirements that could affect choice
of ship in scheduling. |
In addition, this project requires access to a standard rosette and CTD equipped with sensors for fluorometry, PAR, and dissolved oxygen. The proposed shipboard bottle experiments will involve maintaining temperature and ambient light at in situ levels. Ideally, these would be performed in a temperature-controlled van or room (cold room) that could be kept dark during the incubations, though external shading could also be used to regulate light levels.
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Explain Major Ancillary Facilities
Requirements and list description
and provider for "other" systems. |
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