We want to determine the types (species) of bacteria that reside in hydrothermal vents.

This information could be pivotal in later research on these subsurface microorganisms. With an understanding of their species, we will be able to complete more experiments, such as comparing the life processes of surface microbes with similar genomes to that of those that live down in the depths of the ocean. This experiment is needed as background information for many more of the experiments we will do at the Edmond Vent Site.

This will be determined by sampling the water near the vents using Tug and EVE, and subjecting that water to different elements and hydrocarbons (in a lab setting). How we would go about doing that would be to first find the chemical composure of the vent community. Then, we would need to get samples of each of the different elements or hydrocarbons that are present in the water. They will all be dissolved into an aqueous solution, to try and keep the conditions as real and viable as possible. If we measure the amount of each before and after the experiment, we should be able to determine what these microbes metabolize and therein determine their species. We will have to complete these measurements with very accurate techniques because microbes are so small and their byproducts similarly as minute. One way that we know works to test for a different chemical in any environment is density centrifugation. Density centrifugation entails taking a sample and tating out the desired substance. Then, running that same precipitate through a centrifuge to get it alone, and quantitatively measuring its composition.

Margesin R., Schinner F. Biodegradation and bioremediation of hydrocarbons in extreme environments. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 56 (5-6), 650-663.