Download Scripps Scientists Explore the Mysteries and Challenges of the

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY
NEWS
AGU PRESS CONFERENCE: TUESDAY, DEC. 4, 2:30 P.M.
Scripps contact: Mario Aguilera (858-245-3175) or AGU Press Room
Scripps Communications: 858-534-3624, [email protected]
Scripps Scientists Explore the Mysteries
and Challenges of the Deep Sea
Special AGU presentations include a journey to the deepest point in the world and threats to the world’s largest ecosystem Scripps Institution of Oceanography/University of California, San Diego
From providing scientific expertise aboard this year’s historic plunge to the world’s
deepest point to sounding the alarm about rising threats to
the deep sea, scientists at Scripps Institution of
Oceanography at UC San Diego are exploring the mysteries
and challenges of the deep sea as never before.
Scripps marine microbiologist Doug Bartlett will offer his
perspective as chief scientist of this year’s record-setting
Deepsea Challenge expedition in which James Cameron
became the first solo explorer to reach the Mariana Trench’s
“Challenger Deep” at a depth of 35,756 feet (6.77 miles).
Bartlett and Cameron will share their experiences at a
special presentation and press conference at the 2012
American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.
(U22C • Deepsea Challenge: New Science and
Technology at Extreme Depths • Tuesday, Dec. 4, 12 p.m.
The historic Deepsea Challenge submersible. Moscone North 134-135; Press Conference: Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m.)
SCRIPPS COMMUNICATIONS
9500 Gilman Dr., Dept. 0210 · La Jolla, California · 92093-0210 · Tel: (858) 534-3624 · Fax: (858) 534-5306
Web: scrippsnews.ucsd.edu · E-mail: [email protected]
With deep-sea samples captured from Cameron’s submersible and deep-sea “lander”
instruments, Bartlett and members of his laboratory are now analyzing the DNA of
microbes that survive and thrive in the pitch-dark and punishing extremes of pressure and
depth. In addition to searching for new life forms, the rare samples may give clues about
whether such microbes could be sources of novel natural products with potential
biomedical value.
“The Deepsea Challenge expedition is highlighting in stunning and dramatic fashion the
alien-like environments that exist at great depth,” said Bartlett. “Life forms at depths
greater than 20,000 feet are part of the earth’s biology that are least understood.”
***
Scripps biological oceanographer Lisa Levin has spent her career studying the unique
animals of the deep sea, home to the world’s largest ecosystem and yet one of the
planet’s least explored environments. Levin will discuss our transformed understanding
of biodiversity along the ocean’s deep continental margin regions, and the growing
threats to that biodiversity, during the AGU Fall Meeting’s Sverdrup Lecture, a
presentation named in honor of Harald Sverdrup, the famed oceanographer, meteorologist
and Scripps director. (OS53F • Deep Margins Under Pressure: Sustaining
Biodiversity and Function Where Climate Change and Humans Collide
Friday, Dec. 7, 1:40 p.m. • Moscone West 2022-2024)
Over the past 40 years a revolution in technology has led to discovery of a wealth of new
life forms, symbioses, communities and ecosystems in the deep sea, many close to home
on our continental margins. Driven by increasing levels of carbon dioxide, these margin
systems are experiencing changes in temperature, oxygen and pH. Compounding the
natural threats are dangers from increasing human encroachment through deep ocean
exploitation of fisheries, energy and mineral resources. Levin will discuss how these
activities intersect with natural and climate change-induced oxygen depletion as well as
acidification and warming.
“The overprint of stress from climate change is likely to increase ecosystem vulnerability
to human disturbance from oil and gas extraction, fishing and minerals mining, with
threats to biodiversity and
lowered resilience,” said
Levin, director of the
Center for Marine
Biodiversity and
Conservation at Scripps.
Levin believes such
challenges demand a global
commitment towards
stewardship of deep-sea
ecosystems and resources,
backed by a mix of
scientific, economic and
policy expertise as well as
Researchers estimate that more than 14,000 tubeworms live in this ‘bush’ discovered at an extremely rare hybrid hydrothermal vent-­-­methane seep site in the deep sea. Such structures are vulnerable to disturbance from fishing, mining and energy extraction. the support of private and
public stakeholders.
###
RELATED PRESENTATIONS:
SPECIAL LECTURE • Tuesday, Dec. 4, 12 p.m. • Moscone North 134-135
“DEEPSEA CHALLENGE: NEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT
EXTREME DEPTHS”
SVERDRUP LECTURE • OS53F • Friday, Dec. 7, 1:40 p.m. • Moscone West 2022-2024
“DEEP MARGINS UNDER PRESSURE: SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY AND
FUNCTION WHERE CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMANS COLLIDE”
Scripps Institution of Oceanography: scripps.ucsd.edu
Scripps News: scrippsnews.ucsd.edu
About Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego, is one of the oldest, largest
and most important centers for global science research and education in the world. Now in its second
century of discovery, the scientific scope of the institution has grown to include biological, physical,
chemical, geological, geophysical and atmospheric studies of the earth as a system. Hundreds of research
programs covering a wide range of scientific areas are under way today in 65 countries. The institution
has a staff of about 1,400, and annual expenditures of approximately $170 million from federal, state and
private sources. Scripps operates robotic networks, and one of the largest U.S. academic fleets with four
oceanographic research ships and one research platform for worldwide exploration. Learn more at
scripps.ucsd.edu.