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MBARI's Robbie Young at work on Riftia pachyptila |
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| Tuesday, April 25th, 2000 |
By all accounts, the cruise was a tremendous success. We successfully completed all 11 of our scheduled Alvin dives, carrying out all of our scientific objectives. Extensive images were taken of all low-temperature and high-temperature vents located within the confines of the Biologic-Geologic Transect (see the “Previous Expeditions to 9 North” section of this web site’s home page for background information on this transect). These images will provide invaluable "points in time" for our ongoing time-series analyses of the biological and geological changes that have occurred within the area since the April 1991 volcanic eruption that occurred along this segment of the East Pacific Rise.
Our two time-lapse camera arrays, which were deployed in May 1991 were recovered during the course of the dive sequence. The video camera system recorded 20 seconds worth of footage each day for a 6-month period; the film within the 35 mm camera system advanced fully and we are hopeful that a complete record – consisting of one 35 mm shot every 12 hours for the duration of the deployment – will be present on the film once it is developed upon our return to shore.
All of the time-lapse temperature probes deployed at both high- and low-temperature vents in the region in May 1991 were recovered, the data (consisting of between 8,000 and 64,000 individual temperature measurements per probe) downloaded, and the probes redeployed in the same vent locations to ensure a continuity of our long-term temperature data set.
Water samples and samples of chimney orifices were collected from each of the vent sites within the region for a spectrum of microbiological studies, as well as efforts associated with our search for bioactive compounds. Several hyperthermophiles (very high temperature-loving bacteria) isolated from high-temperature vents are now in culture on board at 85 degrees centigrade (185 degrees Fahrenheit). Microbial isolates from low-temperature vent fluids have been cryopreserved (frozen) for future studies and culturing activities.
Specimens of the giant tubeworm, Riftia pachyptila, were collected and spawned on board. Eggs of the organisms were successfully fertilized and placed in a series of culture containers. These containers have been deployed on the bottom and will be recovered at various intervals during the R/V Atlantis’ next cruise to this area scheduled to depart from Manzanillo, Mexico on May 4.
Fluids were sampled from all of the high-temperature and low-temperature vents within the confines of the Transect. These samples will be used for a spectrum of elemental and gas analyses as part of our long-term time-series studies of changes in vent fluid chemistry that have occurred over the past decade at 9 North.
For more details of our ongoing studies, see the coming October 2000 issue of National Geographic Magazine.
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