Theme C - Research in Extreme Environments

A third theme area for the JIMO is centered on research in extreme environments. In all of the following cases, research necessarily includes the development or rugged sensors, platforms and data transmission devices to perform under adverse conditions. The "adverse conditions" range from ice to high pressure, high temperatures, fog, hurricanes, sulfur pools and anoxia to name a few.

The theme area is divided into four major thrusts:

Sea-floor processes emphasize the characterization of unexplored environments and subsequent process definition in these newly described habitats. Hydrothermal vent processes continue to be an area of interest for biologists, chemists and geologists. The physiology and physiological ecology of these organisms such as extremophiles and sulfur bacteria are of interest. Vent chemistry and heat transfers into abyssal waters are areas of potential study. Ridge processes and associated crustal dynamics constitute a significant fraction of the proposed research. Methods for the better characterization of these processes or for shelf topography of the seafloor are included.

High-latitude research defines the functional dynamics between Antarctic krill populations, their environment and their predators use bioacoustic and conventional technologies to acquire data for input into pelagic ecosystem models. UV radiation and ozone abundance monitoring and modeling and prediction of health effects will be a major research topic in this thrust area. Cycles and controls of ocean production in high latitudes extending into the southern ocean and characterization of seasonal circulation patterns in the Arctic and Antarctic are included in this topic area.

Strongly forced systems studies focuses on monsoonal dynamics and variability, hurricane prediction and observations and their tracking and modeling, and research in hazard impacted areas.

Toxic environment research takes place at the limits of biological survival. Anoxic waters, sulfur pools heavy metal contaminated sediments present difficult regions for measurement. Most of the extreme conditions are due to chemical or geochemical processes causing noxious conditions.