Extreme 2004: Exploring the Deep Frontier Search

Home Mission and Crew Seafloor Geology Creature Features High-Tech Tools

December 1-3

Michael League
Education Coordinator


Has Alvin ever shut down or had a problem where they had to stay down longer than it was supposed to?

Student Name: Eden
State: OR Country: USA
 
I asked Alvin Pilot Anthony Tarantino to help me answer this question. Anthony said that in recent history there have not been any major shut down problems where the sub had to stay down exceptionally longer than planned. There have been a few occasions, where the Alvin was pinned or trapped, but through good preparation and patience the pilot was able to free the sub and return in a relatively normal time. In 1968, Alvin did actually sink once when the cable broke on the cradle and Alvin slid into the water. Nobody was inside. It was recovered several months later.

How many hours does the team work a day?

Student Name: Colby
State: FL Country: USA
 
The ship is constantly manned 24 hours a day by the Atlantis crew. This is typically divided up into three watches 0800 - 1600 (8AM - 4 PM), 1600-2400 (8 PM - midnight), 2400 - 0800 (midnight to 8 AM the following day). The scientists work also work in varying shifts. Some groups need to be present for the launching of Alvin. Others need to be their when Alvin returns. Some, like Ky Hacker our Digital Video Coordinator, work all through the night. Out here, there really is no such thing as a 9 AM - 5 PM job.

How much does it cost in order for you guys to go on this expedition? And where is the money comming from?

Student Name: Krysta
State: FL Country: USA
 
We are fortunate to live in a country where we have many agencies, who feel its important to perform science in extreme environments. Our expedition is supported by the National Science Foundation. Extreme 2004 can take place because of the National Science Foundation, Sea Grant, the University of Delaware, the University of Waikato in New Zealand, and public access television WHYY.

If a new species is discovered who gets to name it?

Student Name: Robert
State: FL Country: USA
 
If a new species is discovered, the person who discovers and documents the organism gets to create the name. The Pompeii worm is named Alvinella, a tribute to the sub that helped in finding the worm.

What are some specific things you are hoping to find on this dive and why?

Student Name: Emily
State: FL Country: USA
 
The main focus of our expedition is the collection of Alvinella worms for a project Dr. Cary and collaborators have started to look at the genetics of the bacteria that live in the 'fleece' on the worms' back. Additionally, we're deploying some collection devices in order to gather bacteria, examine viruses, and explore some ofthe bacteria that live as symbiotic partners with the tubeworms, clams, and mussels.

Please give details of your responsibilities as the Education Coordinator.

Student Name: Ms. Rashmi Kumar's class
State: PA Country: USA
 
Check out my earlier answer about what my daily tasks are like. In addition to working with Karen to capture the scientists' and crew's daily activities and discoveries for the Web Site, we're also documenting this adventure for the scientists and crew. We have a copy of the web site on the ship's computers, so those aboard can see what you're seeing.

Hi my name is Heather and I live in New Mexico. I would like to know if it is really cold in the deep ocean and is it easy to see the bright colors with out lights, do they glow? I am truly interested, and would appreciate you answering my question. Thanks for your time and have fun. I would love to be in your shoes.

Student Name: Heather
State: NM Country: USA
 
Hi Heather! Yes, the deep ocean is really cold! Measurements of the deep ocean water are usually close to 2-4 degrees Celsius. Can you figure out what that would be in degrees Farenheit?

How old is Alvin?

Student Name: Donnell & Justin
State: MS Country: USA
 
Alvin's first dive was in 1964. By my calculations, that makes the sub 41 years old.

When are you going to go down in the Alvin?

Student Name: Jack
State: MS Country: USA
 
I'm not sure when or if I'll get to go. The Chief Scientist Dr. Craig Cary makes those decisions typically the day before the dive. He does this because many things influence who should go, such as how the previous dive went and if there are any special objectives.

How can animals live in such hot temperatures?

Student Name: Richard
State: MS Country: USA
 
This is one question that scientists interested in hydrothermal vents have been very curious about. Undoubtedly, these animals have special adaptations and in many cases special relationships with bacteria to survive in this environment. Many scientists are curious about enzymes in these organisms in particular, because enzymes help with almost every chemical reaction and are known to be very sensitive to temperature changes. Do these organisms have specially adapted enzymes?

Is the hair on the Pompeii worm's back similar to the hair on our heads?

Student Name: Mrs. Deaver's class
State: CT Country: USA
 
Wow! Mrs. Deaver's class, I am blown away by your question! I took it to Dr. Alison Murray, one of our Principal Investigators on this expedition, and an unbelievably cool woman - Go check out her interviews! Anyways, I asked your question and she proceeded to explain how your analogy might be correct. She responded that structurally there is very little in common between human hair and the fleece of the Pompeii worm, but functionally the bacteria that live in the fleece of the Pompeii worm may act like a heat shield, much like the hair on your heads.

Have any viruses been found near hydrothermal vents?

Student Name: Tyler
State: NC Country: USA
 
I took your question to Dr. Shannon Williamson, who was ecstatic that you're interested in the same question she's exploring. Shannon said that her work has revealed viruses in high abundance (1.0 x 10^7 viruses/ml of water, that's 10,000,000 viruses per one milliliter of water). She also said that these viruses exhibit different shapes, which may indicate that they infect different hosts.

When the knew Alvin comes out what will happen with the old Alvin?

Student Name: Brandon
State: GA Country: USA
 
Good question! I wasn't sure what the final plans would be and so I spoke with Expedition Leader Pat Hickey and Pilot Anthony Tarantino. Both said that nothing will be done until the new sub has been built and tested. At that point in time, there will be much discussion and one possiblity is for Alvin to be decommissioned and perhaps put in a museum.

What do you do for fun on the the ship?

Student Name: Ross
State: GA Country: USA
 
While we all work very hard for long periods of time throughout most of the day, there are plenty of things to do for fun if we have a little free time. The Atlantis has a ping-pong table (I'm participating in the ship ping-pong tournament) and a foosball table. Additionally, there is a large selection of DVD's in the lounge adjacent to the galley. Finally, we have some opportunities to entertain each other during special entertainment nights, which may include acting, singing, playing a musical instrument, or comedy.

What if the power shuts off on the Alvin and you have no light and no way to get back up to the top?

Student Name: Ross
State: GA Country: USA
 
Since Alvin’s first dive, there have been only a few instances when the sub experienced problems that were potentially dangerous. One example was in the 1990s. The sub had unknowingly been scooping mud up into its lower equipment areas. A lower fairing had come loose and allowed a large quantity of mud to add mass to the submersible. When the pilot tried to ascend, the sub didn’t respond. As in all problems, the pilot contacted the surface for advice and in a small matter of time, the sub was on its way home although at a much slower rate than normal. Many different pieces of equipment can malfunction on a dive and have minimal impact on dive success or on safety. When a problem is encountered, the pilot and surface watch evaluate its impact on the dive and determine the proper action to take. Every dive is governed by our Operations Manual, the group’s ‘bible’ and specifically a list of ‘Minimum Requirements for Diving.’ Our morning pre-dive checks ensure that the sub meets the minimum requirements and identifies any other minor problems. During a dive, systems are monitored constantly with the critical components -- atmosphere, electrical distribution status, communications -- monitored at least every half hour. Certain problems, loss of comms for example, will immediately end a dive. More serious problems and our reactions to them are outlined in the OPs manual. The sub has a wide range of redundant and emergency systems to help ensure that we return to the surface. In the long run, it’s the coordination of the group, the good operational decisions of the pilot, and our specific operational guidelines that have maintained our perfect safety record.

When out there under lots of pressure, how does that not shatter the lights on the Alvin?

Student Name: Haleigh
State: GA Country: USA
 
The Alvin's lights and camers are housed in pressure housings, which do contain air spaces, but are pressure tested to 1.5 times the operational diving depth of the submarine, in Alvin's case 4,500 m. So, all the housings have been tested to 6,750 m.

What type of foods do you eat in the Alvin on a mission?

Student Name: Tiffany
State: GA Country: USA
 
Typically, the observers in Alvin receive a traditional lunch of sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly or deli meat), a candy bar, and a piece of fruit. The observers have a lot to do when on the bottom, so it's often necessary to eat while transiting to the next work site.

How do the organisms in "the deep ocean" see?

Student Name: Linsey
State: GA Country: USA
 
Organisms in the deep ocean must have a special adaptation to "see". Many organisms cannot produce their own light and so they rely on feeling and may have special adaptations for sensing potential food or predators in the darkness. The deep sea octopus has specialized hair-like projectiles called cirri (See-ree) that line the arms and provide sensory information.

Hey! How are you guys!? When you go that deep in the ocean what kind of fish do you see? Have you ever seen in finding nemo that fish that lights up? Does it live down there?

Student Name: Armando
State: FL Country: USA
 
Yes, the fish that lights up in the movie "Finding Nemo" is based on an actual fish that can be found in hydrothermal vent sites. The fish is known as an anglerfish. There is a similar looking fish in our guide (available from the web site) called a dragonfish, which has a bioluminescent chin barbel. Like the anglerfish, this bioluminescent organ is used to attract prey.

What is the process of depressurization that is used as the Alvin travels to the ocean's surface? Thank you for your time.

Student Name: Caitlin
State: FL Country: USA
 
Alvin's titanium sphere is actually able to withstand the water pressure up to 4500 meters. Therefore, the gases inside the sphere are never compressed and so no depressurization actually occurs. Throughout the entire dive, the interior of the sub remains at 1 atmosphere of pressure. The big concerns within the sphere are oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide accumulation. Both of these issues are addressed through two daily-use systems and are supported by two emergency systems.

Hello! I was curious as to how long it takes the Alvin to reach the ocean floor. Thank you!

Student Name: Carlos
State: FL Country: USA
 
Good question. This of course depends a lot on how deep the scientists plan to go. Here at the 9 degrees North site, the ocean floor is approximately 2500 meters deep. So far, it's taken an average of about 1.5 hours to get down.

How do you communicate with your family and friends while you are out at sea?

Student Name: Jackie
State: FL Country: USA
 
While we're out to sea, there are several excellent ways to communicate to our friends and family. The Atlantis is equipped to receive phone calls and email via satellite. The satellite phone can be used at any time to call anywhere in the world. The email system is operated by SSSG (Ship to Science Support Group) Technicians Dave Sims and Kazumi Baba. Three times a day they contact the satellite and send our outgoing email and receive the incoming email. It's really a marvel of technology and so far it's been incredibly dependable.

What's the food and entertainment like on the R/V Atlantis?

Student Name: Tiffany
State: LA Country: USA
 
The food is phenomenal! Steward Carl Wood and his crew in the galley (that's the name for a kitchen on a ship) do a superb job. Over the course of the rest of the expedition, I'll share some of Carl's delicious recipes, so you can try them on your own and eat like a scientist on the Atlantis. There's also a lot to do to entertain yourself. We have a ping-pong table and a foosball table, which are quite popular. There is also a wide selection of DVDs available. Throughout the cruise, we'll be organizing special entertainment nights, and already we've set up a ping-pong tournament.

I have a question that could possibly be an experiment as well. How does the conductivity of the water coming from the hydrothermal vents compare to that of the water at a higher depth? Do the chemicals in the water from the vents improve conductivity?

Student Name: Jonathan
State: LA Country: USA
 
Excellent idea! Why don't you submit it for one of our Extreme experiments? I'll be happy to bring that idea to Dr. Cary for approval. I could make a hypothesis, but it would be more fun if we tested the question together. For those of you who don't know about our Extreme Experiments, we encourage students to come up with questions and ways to test them scientifically. You can find more information out by following the Extreme Experiments link from our home page.

How do the life forms live around the thermal vents? Do the vents produce a food supply?

Student Name: Nicholas
State: LA Country: USA
 
One of the most interesting adaptations of hydrothermal vent organisms is the ability to produce food without energy from the sun. Small organisms at the surface of the ocean called phytoplankton use energy from the sun to produce their food (the process is called photosynthesis), and are the base of the food chain. 2500 meters below the surface, a food web based on energy from the sun isn't a possibility, so hydrothermal vent microbes have adapted to use chemicals from the vent sites to produce their own food (the process is called chemosynthesis). They form the basis of the vent food webs.

Does pollution effect the ocean floor.

Student Name: Courtney
State: LA Country: USA
 
Every part of the ocean is connected and so not even the deep ocean is immune to the effects of pollution. I don't think much work has been done to examine what the direct effects are.

Do radio signals penetrate underwater while in the submarine?

Student Name: Diana
State: LA Country: USA
 
No, radio signals are not the preferred method of communication because they don't travel well through water. Instead, sound waves, also called acoustic waves, are the best wave to communicate because sound travels exceptionally well through water. In fact, they move at a speed of 1500 m/s - can you translate that to a speed in feet per second?

Since Pompeii worms live under such extreme pressure conditions, when trying to bring them to the surface they explode. Would it possible to bring them up to the surface without exploding by using the process of decompression, the process that deep sea scuba divers use so their own lungs will not explode upon rising too quickly?

Student Name: Gaynell
State: LA Country: USA
 
Since the Pompeii worm is used to having that enormous amount of pressure on it, it does expand and become bloated when they come to the surface. The pressure change of coming to the surface is a very difficult stress. Suggesting decompression means that you're thinking along the right lines! What you really need to do is to recompress the worms once they make it to the surface, and on this expedition, Michelle Phillips is trying to do just that! By placing the worms in a pressurized environment, you can try to recreate the environment from which they were taken. Great question!

Are you planning to send a styrofoam cup down with Alvin this year? If so, will you be posting the before and after pictures on the web site? If you do, can you write "Eastside High" or "EHS" on the side of the cup? Any chance you can mail it to us when you get back? THANKS!

Student Name: Bryan
State: SC Country: USA
 
Yes, I'm planning on sending several Styrofoam cups down with Alvin. For those of you who haven't seen this tradition, the scientists and crew usually send a bag of Styrofoam cups down with Alvin. Under the immense pressure 2500 meters below the surface, the air spaces within the Styrofoam are compressed and so the cup shrinks to miniature of its former size. Unfortunately, we're limited in what we can send down, but I'll be sure to show you some pictures of the cups that make the journey.

How many dives has the Alvin taken?

Student Name: Nicole
State: NC Country: USA
 
Today's dive is Alvin's 4,064 dive.

As I was reading another question I came across one about a styrofoam cup? What happens to the cup as the Alvin goes deeper?

Student Name: Adrienne
State: Choose a State Country: USA
 
This is one of the best souvenirs that the scientists and crew get to take home. Imagine a regular Styrofoam coffee cup. Although you can't see them, that cup is actually filled with air spaces. Here on the R/V Atlantis, we decorate these cups and attach them to Alvin before the dive. As Alvin descends, the water pressure increase. The pressure at the surface is one atmosphere. At 10 m or 33 ft, the pressure is two atmospheres. The air in the cup's air spaces compresses and as a result the cup shrinks. Typically, the result is a very cute, very small cup. Check out some of our pictures in the Neat Stuff gallery to see a glimpse of the cups we sent down with Alvin.

Do you have repair people if the Alvin breaks down on or off the boat?

Student Name: Caroline
State: MA Country: USA
 
Good question! All of the Alvin pilots also bring specialized skills such as mechanical and electrical engineering. I spoke with Alvin Pilot Anthony Tarantino and he explained that before a pilot becomes a pilot, he works as a technician repairing the sub. So, the pilots, pilots-in-training, and technicians all work together to solve problems that arise. They have an onboard machine shop with everything from simple screwdrivers and hose clamps to drill presses, welding equipment, and a bandsaw. Anthony also stressed that we're carrying a lot of spare parts, so that if something does break, it can be completely replaced.

How many people are taking part in this year's expedition?

Student Name: Howard
State: MA Country: USA
 
On the Atlantis right now, we have 22 members of the Atlantis crew, 9 members of the Alvin crew, and 24 scientists.

What do the scientists do while they are diving in the Alvin?

Student Name: Sam
State: MA Country: USA
 
The scientists have the important job of monitoring the sub's position, by looking out the portholes. Additionally, each scientist controls cameras using a joystick to capture video footage of the vents and vent life. They also take notes on their observations and key events to be reported in the dive log.

What happens if you get sick on the Alvin and need medical supplies? Do you have all the medical essentials you need for the journey to the hydrothermal vents?

Student Name: Steven
State: MA Country: USA
 
The Alvin is equipped with an emergency medical kit, as well as several emergency systems to ensure that the pilot and observers can always breathe. Onboard the Atlantis, first mate Mitzi Crane takes care of all medical issues. The Atlantis is equipped to handle everything from headaches and seasickness to appendicitis.

Life as we know it up here depends on photosynthesis to store chemical energy which is passed from producers through the food web via glucose. Energy for cells is produced in mitochodria, in the form of ATP, as a result of the oxidation of glucose. What is the general chemistry of energy transfer from organism to organism in the vent ecosystem? Does the bacterial chemosynthesis result in glucose or some other molecule that passes through the food chain? Do vent animals' mitochondria work the same way ours do?

Student Name: Jordyn
State: AK Country: USA
 
Great question! Since I am not an expert on this topic, I talked to Dr. Alison Murray and Frank Stewart, two people much more knowledgeable than I. They explained to me that chemosynthesis is based on sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. These bacteria use sulfur and carbon dioxide to build organic compounds and energy rich carrier molecules. Frank told me that in the case of the deep-sea clams - the bacteria leak these organic compounds and the clams absorb them. Sometimes when the clam is especially starved for energy, it will actually digest the bacteria. As for the mitochondria, they do in fact work similarly to the way ours do, storing energy rich molecules for metabolic processes.

What is it like being at sea?

Student Name: Vanessa
State: OR Country: USA
 
Being at sea is an adventure! First, you need to get used to the motion of the ship. So far, it's been a pretty gentle rolling motion, but you still need to be careful while walking around (and especially when taking pictures). When you're on deck, everywhere you look you see the bluest water you can imagine and NO land anywhere. There are several other things to get used to like moving around the ship through the right passages and remembering to close doors firmly so they don't swing when the ship's moving.

What does DNA stand for?

Student Name: Bethia
State: CA Country: USA
 
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. That's why scientists use the term DNA, it's much shorter and easier to say. DNA contains the genetic code for all biological functions that occur in an organism. The term 'genome' describes all of the DNA in an organism. Since genomics is such a large part of the Extreme 2004 program, there's a lot of information on this site concerning genomics. To find out more, explore the 'Genomics' section of the web site.

How heavy is the Gumby suit and is it uncomfortable to wear?

Student Name: Jared & Michael
State: LA Country: USA
 
The Gumby suit was not all that uncomfortable to wear. However, if you're not going in the water, you do get hot very fast. The suits are similar to 7 mm wetsuits I've worn SCUBA diving, but maybe a little heavier. The adult universal suit fits adults up to 6'3" and from 110 - 330 pounds. While the suit's official weight wasn't on the bag, an informal poll of crew members has led us to an average of around 10 pounds.

What is the difference in the bacteria in the water from the surface to the bottom? Does the amount of bacteria increase or decrease the deeper you go? How many different types of bacteria are in the part of the ocean you are at?

Student Name: Steven
State: MD Country: USA
 
I know only a little about marine bacteria, so I took your question to Dr. Joe Grzymski, a researcher much more knowledgeable than I. Here's a synopsis of what I learned from him. The main difference between the bacteria on the surface and the bacteria we recover from the hydrothermal vents is that at the vent sites, we find a lot of bacteria living in symbiosis with larger organisms, like tubeworms, the Pompeii worms, and the vent crabs, but at the surface you find free-living bacteria. From the surface, there generally is approximately 1,000,000 to 100,000,000 bacteria per milliliter of water. That's a lot! There's also a lot of diversity at the surface because it's not as difficult a place to live as in the vents, so many different species are able to live there. In the vent sites, the bacteria are concentrated, generally in a host organism, and they're incredibly abundant. Here though there is less diversity because the bacteria need to be specially adapted to live here. For more information on this topic, following along with updates from Alison Murray's group.

Is it crowded on the research vessel?

Student Name: Jessica
State: MD Country: usa
 
Well, in my opinion there's just the right amount of space for the 24 scientists, 22 Atlantis crew members, and 9 Alvin crew members. The only time that you notice a small crowd is in the galley at meal time, owing largely to the yummy food that the steward and his crew prepare. So, at meal times, the crew eats a little earlier and as they finish and return to their watches, the scientists join in the feast!

Who came up for the blueprints for the Alvin and Atlantis?

Student Name: Michael
State: MD Country: USA
 
R/V Atlantis is one of three Argos 25 class ships built by naval architects at Halter Marine in Louisiana. The DSV (Deep Submergence Vehicle) Alvin is actually two pieces held together. General Mills, also known for their cereals, won the bid and started construction in 1962. Part of the sub, the titanium sphere which houses the pilot and observers, was built by the firm Hahn and Clay.

What do you do when a big storm comes up in the ocean?

Student Name: Caroline
State: MD Country: USA
 
Captain George Silva and the bridge crew have a great deal of technology to anticipate the weather conditions. If serious weather conditions were predicted, the crew would secure the Atlantis (all deck gear, heavy equipment, and anything that could become a dangerous projectile as the boat rocked) with Alvin in the hangar. If conditions started to deteriorate while Alvin was in the water, the Atlantis would call the sub back early. If conditions deteriorated so rapidly that Alvin could not be retrieved, the pilot and observers could remain on the bottom for three days (based on life support systems and emergency supplies) until the weather passed.

I would lke to know how far down into the ocean does it get completely dark?

Student Name: Jeremy
State: MD Country: USA
 
Light actually reaches pretty far into the ocean when the water is clear, as it is here. Alvin pilot Anthony Tarantino estimated that the observers usually notice the beginning of the aphotic zone (the zone without light) at about 200 meters (600 feet). In other areas, where there may be more phytoplankton and dissolved particles in the water, the beginning of the aphotic zone may be shallower because the organic matter in the water absorbs or scatters the light, and doesn't allow it to penetrate as far.

How do some of the animals that live in the deep sea survive without being crushed by the water pressure?

Student Name: Chris
State: MD Country: USA
 
Good question! The Styrofoam cups we send down with Alvin get crushed because the Styrofoam contains air spaces. The water pressure literally squeezes the air and then those spaces aren't as big or maybe no longer exist, and so the cup shrinks. Animals that live in the deep sea have no air spaces. Therefore, all empty spaces are filled by either water or natural oils. Liquids can't be compressed like a gas. So the internal and external pressures match, and the organisms don't get crushed.

As you go underwater, how much colder does it get the deeper you go in the Pacific Ocean?

Student Name: Jeffrey
State: MD Country: USA
 
One of today's swimmers, Alvin technician Noel Masias, reported the surface temperature to be similar to bath water and the Atlantis onboard data logger reports it to be 27.5 degrees Celsius. Can you convert that to Fahrenheit? Down at the bottom of the ocean where we are located, the water exists in two very different temperature zones. The water coming up through the vent where the sub can measure may be as warm as 680 degrees Fahrenheit, while the surrounding water is a chilly 2 degrees Celsius.

Is there a difference in the salinity of the ocean's surface water compared to the water at the bottom of the ocean?

Student Name: Steven
State: MD Country: USA
 
In general deep water is a lot colder and saltier, while shallow water is warmer and fresher. But currents and other influences (such as the polar ice cap) can cause different situations.

How is a person chosen to go down in Alvin? Is it a rotation or do the same three people go down every time?

Student Name: Andrew
State: WI Country: USA
 
Good Question, Andrew. Alvin is capable of carrying three people down to the bottom, typically that means one pilot and two observers. The pilots rotate turns, and the order is decided by Expedition Leader, J. Pat Hickey. The Chief Scientist aboard, for our expedition that's Dr. Craig Cary, selects the two observers from the scientific party that will join in the pilot for the dive. There are several factors that go into this decision, including what the objectives of the dive plan are and what skills are necessary in the sub. Depending on the work to be performed, Craig will select who he feels are the two best people to assist the pilot in completing the mission.

Hi my twin sister and I wanted to ask a few questions...by the way her name is Shahanequa...moving on though...what type of creatures live in the deep sea and how do they live in all that extreme pressure? Thanks

Student Name: Jahanequa
State: GA Country: USA
 
There is actually a fair amount of diversity in the deep sea, particularly around the hydrothermal vent sites that we are exploring. Alvin returned yesterday with many types of worms, including the Pompeii worm (Alvinella pompejana) and the tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila), mussels, and clams.

How far down in the ocean can a glass cup go before breaking?

Student Name: Jeanette
State: MD Country: USA
 
I went and asked Alvin Technician Sean McPeak to help me answer your question. He said that as long as the cup was open on the top and the water could fill it, the cup could go to the bottom and wouldn't break. In that case, the pressure inside the cup would match the outside pressure. However, if you sealed the cup and trapped air inside, the air would compress and the pressure acting on the outside would not match the pressure on the inside. The pressure of the water would cause our sealed glass to implode. The depth at which it would implode would depend on the quality and thickness of the glass.

Why isn't the shell of the tube worm dissolved by the sulfuric acid in the water at the vent? Is the worm constantly rebuilding its shell, or is the shell resistant to sulfides? A sample of the shell could be subjected to a sulfuric acid solution at the same pH of the water and see if the shell is dissolved to check if the worm is constantly rebuilding the shell. A hydrochloric acid at the same pH could be used to see if the shell is resistant to sulfides.

Student Name: Brian
State: MI Country: USA
 
Since we're talking about the tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila), I went to one of the premier authorities on tubeworms, Dr. Horst Felbeck. I too learned a great deal about Riftia. So, here it goes… First, Horst gave me a little chemistry lesson. Sulfur is present in seawater, but as sulfate (SO4-). At the vents, sulfur is present in another form as well, hydrogen sulfide (H2S). So although these are both sulfur based, like sulfuric acid, they're actually very different. Horst then went on to tell me more about Riftia. The tubeworm's sheath is made out of proteins and chitin, a compound commonly found in insects. The tubeworm is constantly digesting and rebuilding it.

How many organism samples do you usually collect at the vent location and how diverse are these organims?

Student Name: Kyle
State: MI Country: USA
 
Typically, Alvin brings up anywhere between one and ten examples of a particular specimen. For these dives, the scientists will be focusing on Alvinella pompejana (The Pompeii worm), Riftia pachyptila (the tubeworm), vent mussels (Bathymodiolus thermophilus). Additionally, the scientists will be collecting water samples and sections of chimney, which contain microbes that are of interest.

How much lifting power do the arms on the Alvin have?

Student Name: James
State: PA Country: USA
 
Alvin possesses two hydraulic manipulators. The starboard manipulator can be extended 69 inches, that's 5 feet 9 inches. Fully extended this manipulator can lift 100 pounds. The port maniuplator can be extended 74 inches and can lift 150 pounds. With these lifting capacities, it's important to remember that in-water weights are often less than what the object weighs when it's on deck. Another neat feature of Alvin's manipulators is that they can break away if they get stuck, so that they can't pin the sub down. Alvin pilots have the ability to jettison either manipulator if they can't free it.

How are the samples brought up to the surface? Are they brought into the Alvin first?

Student Name: Ridge
State: PA Country: USA
 
Bringing samples to the surface is no small feat! Even simple sampling techniques, like taking a water sample, become complicated by the fact that the scientists are inside the sub, while the equipment is outside the sub. All of the samples are housed in the 'basket' on the front of Alvin. In truth, it's not a basket at all, but a platform. The scientists have anchored holding containers to the basket. The Alvin pilot opens these containers with the sub's manipulators (this requires a lot of skill) and places the samples into the container. Once Alvin is back onboard the Atlantis, the scientists crowd the basket to get their samples and rush them to the lab.

Who discovered the tube worm and when?

Student Name: Ethan
State: WV Country: USA
 
Dr. Horst Felbeck told me today that Riftia, the tubeworm, was probably first seen by biologists in 1979 at a site near the Galapagos Islands. It is possible that a group of geologists diving in the same area may have seen them two years before (1977). However, Horst recalled that the first publication of a scientific article on Riftia wasn't until 1981, written by Meredith Jones.

What material is Alvin made from to be able to withstand the pressure from the deep?

Student Name: Cody
State: WV Country: USA
 
Alvin is actually made of two separate parts, joined together. The front of Alvin is a titanium sphere. This sphere is so strong that it can withstand the water pressure up to 4500 m. That allows the sub to maintain an internal pressure of one atmosphere, equal to the pressure at the surface, so there's no need to worry about decompression. The second part of Alvin is mostly fluid filled, according to Alvin Technician and Pilot-in-Training Mark Spear. Three types of fluids are used: mineral oil, bray oil, and hydraulic fluid. Since fluid's aren't compressible, there's no need to worry.

How deep is the deepest part of the ocean?

Student Name: Roger
State: WV Country: USA
 
The deepest known part of the ocean is a place named "Challenger Deep", named for the vessel (a British ship named the Challenger II) that first discovered the spot. The depth is approximately 11,000 meters. That's about 36,000 feet, almost 7 miles.

When you were a small child, did you want to become what you are now?

Student Name: Brittney
State: LA Country: USA
 
I knew that I wanted to be a science educator when I was in high school. When I was really young, I wanted to be famous, like an athlete or a movie star. When I went to high school, I realized that I really liked science and I got involved volunteering at my local aquarium as an educator. After a few years of helping visitors learn more about the ocean, I discovered that I didn't have to be famous to make a difference in people's lives.

Over the years there have been oil spills around the world. Has anyone ever found an organism that has adapted to oil in its environment?

Student Name: Immanual
State: LA Country: USA
 
Adaptation is a really difficult idea to understand. Scientists generally use the term in two ways. First, a particular species might adapt to certain environmental conditions over many generations. This process takes years and years. The second way scientists use the term is to describe reactions made by an individual organism to its environment (i.e. when you're cold, you shiver). With regard to oil spills, there are some microbes that can alter their metabolism to not only survive an oil spill, but help begin to breakdown the oil.

What got you into this field of work and why do you like this type of work?

Student Name: Timmy
State: LA Country: USA
 
We thought this was such a great question that we asked a similar one of the scientists and crew in our Interview section, so be sure to check out other scientists' and crew members' answers. As for myself, I've known for a while that I wanted to have a job related to the ocean. The thing that I didn't realize is that I also wanted to work with students and it's really this second part that has got me involved in Extreme 2004. Out here, I have the opportunity to bring the science to the students and that fits both of my passions.

Have any fossil records been found that are related to the organisms found at the hydrothermal vents?

Student Name: Annalee
State: GA Country: USA
 
I wasn't sure the answer to your question, so I went and asked our Chief Scientist, Dr. Craig Cary. He said that in fact, there have been fossil records found of organisms related to those found at the hydrothermal vents. These fossils were found in Oman. Can you find Oman on the map?

Why if the deep sea is the "last frontier" for the quest of scientific knowledge, it seems that there is more budgetary allocations for space exploration than for abyssal zone research?

Student Name: Eddie
State: PUERTORICO Country: Puerto Rico
 
Wow, what a thought provoking question! I would think that the difference stems from our ideas about space vs. the deep-sea. Even though the deep-sea is on earth, it is unseen, except by a few. To imagine anything like what what we observe at hydrothermal vents before they were discovered would be science fiction indeed! When people generally think of the deep-sea they think of giant squids and large fish with fangs, and perhaps a version of the Loch Ness Monster. However, we can see the stars just by looking up into the sky. We can dream about those stars and what might be on them. There are thousands of science fiction books centered on space exploration and life on other planets. I know of only a few people who haven't seen Star Wars. Many people think that we may need to find a different place to live other than earth. I think both places are exciting and deserve to be explored and studied. By studying life and the earth we discover new ways of investigating the skies. So to answer your question, the skies have a longer history, are more 'sexy' science, and offer other information than we can obtain here about life on other planets. It is clear from our work and others, however, scientists have just started studying life in the deep-sea, there is so much out there that is left to be discovered!

What training does the pilot of the Alvin need before a dive?

Student Name: Pepe
State: NY Country: USA
 
People often ask, “What sort of training does it take to be a pilot?” Normally the answer includes reference to two years of on-the-job training and an engineering degree: standard responses to a routine question. But the real answer is it takes time, and experience, and many humbling hours inside the sphere. Pilots, are the front-line guys, performing most of the actual sampling and manipulation. The scientists expect a lot from the pilot and they are dedicated to giving their best. Often the dives are very successful, and the Alvin returns to the surface from a productive day below. But it’s the days of repeated frustrations and failures that help shape a pilot.

Do you do a compatibility test when you send people down in Alvin, to make sure that no one freaks out on each other? I imagine that being in a small space with the same person for many hours at a time can be trying on the nerves.

Student Name: Margaret
State: NY Country: USA
 
Good question! While there is no formal evaluation of your compatibility, there are several informal tests. First, the Atlantis is like a small city, where you live with the people you work with, so if you're not compatible, it becomes apparent very quickly. However, I must admit that I haven't seen any incompatibility. Everyone is incredibly nice and cooperates well on various projects. Sometimes you see scientists working together to solve a problem, and then a crew member joins, and then an Alvin pilot joins - all working together until the problem is solved. Ultimately, it's up to the Chief Scientist to decide who dives when.

What is the maximum depth Alvin can dive to?

Student Name: Sam
State: ME Country: USA
 
Alvin was originally designed to dive to 6,000 feet. However, since its conception, Alvin has been modified to improve the depth range that it can work in. Now, Alvin can dive to 4500 m. Interestingly, the new submersible currently planned to replace Alvin in 2008 will be able to dive to 6500 m.

Hi, my name is Jenny. I was wondering why you chose to dive in the Pacific Ocean instead of the Atlantic? Is there something special about the area?

Student Name: Jenny
State: WA Country: USA
 
Great question Jenny! There are a bunch of great vent sites along the mid Atlantic Ridge, but for this expedition we are here because the Pompeii worms are only found in the Pacific.

When scientists first started to map the ocean floor what kind of tools and equipment were used to do it?

Student Name: Amber
State: GA Country: USA
 
One of the first pieces of oceanographic equipment that was used to map the bottom was called a sounding line. With a weight attached at the bottom, a line was lowered into the water until contact with the bottom was made. Doing this repeatedly can result in a contour map of the bottom. Now, we use various sonar devices, which send out a sound signal and measure the time required for it to bounce off the bottom and return to a receiver on the ship. Chirp sonar uses one beam and is fairly accurate. Multi-beam uses multiple beam and provides a more accurate map of the ocean floor.

What are some of your daily tasks while living onboard the Atlantis?

Student Name: Lauren
State: PA Country: USA
 
Aboard the Atlantis, I have several daily tasks. First, I need to capture the day's activities aboard the Atlantis and the Alvin. Primarily, I do this with digital pictures, video, and a written journal. As the day ends for the scientists, I'm busy in the computer lab with the other education coordinator, Karen, processing those pictures and video on laptop computers. At the very end of the day, I make sure that our 'Daily Discoveries' make it to shore via a satellite.

What hydrothermal vent will you be visiting on your first dive tomorrow? How far away from Mexico will you be once you stop and begin your dives?

Student Name: Justin
State: IN Country: USA
 
We refer to the general site that we're diving at by its global position, indicated by latitude and longitude. Today, we're at 9 degrees North, 104 degrees West. The submersible descended on a vent called BioVent, the northernmost of the vents. Then Alvin proceeded south, examining the various potential sites. These sites are named either alphabetically, such as M vent, Q vent, P vent or by a prominent feature, such as Fish Hole or Riftia field. When Dr. Craig Cary surfaces, I'm sure he'll have a plan of which sites to concentrate on.

How big can a pompeii worm get?

Student Name: Sabrina
State: UT Country: USA
 
Since I've only seen a few Pompeii worms so far, I went to Dr. Craig Cary, our Chief Scientist to get the answer to your question. He said, "The largest Pompeii worm I've ever seen was about five inches long."

What kind of energy does the Alvin run on?

Student Name: Kaleb
State: WA Country: USA
 
I couldn't give you the details off the top of my head, so I went to Greg Speer, Alvin Technician and Pilot-in-Training Greg Speer. He said, "Alvin runs on 120 V direct current. It's like the battery in your car, but we have several of them. Our system is a little different, but it's the equivalent of ten car batteries. "

 

 

 
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