1. Their MissionIn the spring of 2004, Expedition 8 of Dive and Discover, went as researchers diving in the submersible Alvin to explore hydrothermal vents off the Pacific Northwest coast. During the 17-day expedition to Juan de Fuca Ridge, the scientists and engineers will deploy new ocean instruments and gather samples of fluids and organisms from the vents to learn how microbes live in this high-pressure, super-heated environment. How organisms live in this environment has been a question since Darwin’s Journey when Darwin found living organisms in the ocean.In 2003, scientists identified a heat-loving microbe from the Mothra Field that thrived at 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 211°C, a temperature that no other life form is known to tolerate. These microscopic creatures tolerated high fluid temperatures, little oxygen, and used iron for metabolism.This research is part of a new study to develop sensors that are capable of measuring and recording chemical, biological, and physical processes directly within deep-sea vents. This will help scientists study the extreme conditions under which these microscopic creatures live in and how their habitat changes over time.Also in 2003, scientists from the University of Washington (UW) and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) placed instruments called microbial incubators inside the walls of three black smoker chimneys in the Mothra and Main Endeavour vent fields. Microbes that live inside the chimneys are also growing within these incubators. During Expedition 8, researchers diving in the submersible Alvin will recover the instruments and the microbes inside. quot;
We are excited, but also a bit nervous about getting the instruments back,quot;
says Deb Kelley, a University of Washington researcher and the chief scientist on the expedition. quot;
They are the first instruments of their kind, and this will be their first long-term test within these extreme environments.quot;
Investigating how microorganisms thriving in these environments helps researchers to answer big questions about life on Earth. Just like how Darwin’s Journey, Darwin was trying to answer this big question. Their work will aid in determining how microorganisms can live beneath the ocean floor, and will help to explore the possibility of similar life forms surviving with little oxygen in extreme environments on other planets in the solar system. Once divers in Alvin retrieve the instruments, researchers onboard the support ship RV Atlantis will continue to grow the microorganisms to determine how they live in various temperatures and pressures, and to study the gases and organic compounds they tolerate. Researchers will also examine their genetic makeup, metabolic processes, and what they eat to survive. Maybe after this expedition Darwin’s question will finally be answered! Expedition 8 of Dive and Discover<br />Mounds of tubewormsStalked barnacles<br />The Crew Works Cited BIBLIOGRAPHY Institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic. Dive and Discover. 10 June 2004. 26 September 2010 <http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition8/index.html>.Pictures from-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & National Science Foundation. quot;
Stalked Barnacles.quot;
stalked barnacles Dive and Discover. 1, June 2004 <http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition8/daily/ss040601/6.html>Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & National Science Foundation. “Three swimmers accompanied by Alvin.quot;
Three swimmers accompanied by Alvin Dive and Discover. 1, June 2004 <http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition8/daily/ss040528/3.html>Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & National Science Foundation. quot;
Tubeworms.quot;
tubeworms Dive and Discover. 1, June 2004 < http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition8/daily/ss040603/6.html>Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & National Science Foundation. quot;
Roane.quot;
Roane Dive and Discover. 1, June 2004 < http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition8/daily/ss040526/8.html> Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & National Science Foundation. quot;
Alvin.quot;
Alvin Dive and Discover. 1, June 2004 < http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition8/daily/ss040526/index.html>Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution & National Science Foundation. quot;
Scientists & Crew.quot;
Scientists & Crew Dive and Discover. 1, June 2004 < http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition8/scientists/index.html>Tube worms measuring 3 to 4 inches were retrieved along with a sample of a black smoker hydrothermal vent chimney called Roane.<br />