Certain organisms found only in geothermally heated environments are quite possibly relicts of the earliest biosphere that have remained essentially unchanged by the vagaries of time and evolution for more than three billion years. Several extreme thermophiles have optimal growth rates near the boiling point of water. Some are found in geothermal aquifers hundreds of meters below the surface, or in deep oceanic volcanic vents.

The biotechnology revolution has been profoundly accelerated by discovery of heat-resistant enzymes such as the DNA polymerases produced by the hot springs bacterium, Thermus aquaticus, source of the now ubiquitous laboratory reagent, Taq.

With the rise in popularity of hot tubs, spas, and bathing in natural hot springs, a whole generation of boomers has come into intimate contact with thermophilic organisms, including those causing the deadly primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Though small in area and often obscure, geothermal environments have tremendous biological significance and value for scientific study, and much remains to be learned about the ecology and evolution of the distinctive thermophilic biota that is restricted to scattered geothermal environments. As development of geothermal energy becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to fossil fuels, dams and nuclear energy it is imperative that we understand and value the thermophilic biota well enough to prevent the demise of the fragile ecosystems that support it.

Clearly, knowledge of the themophilic biota and geothermal ecosystems has both scientific value, social relevance, and practical applications. Southern Oregon and northern California are particularly well-endowed with geothermal environments, and some of the seminal studies of geothermal biota have been conducted here. Nonetheless, all of the research on geothermal ecosystems taken together has only scratched the surface: the geothermal biota largely remains a terra incognita of organismal diversity and ecosystem function.

Problem Statement and Project Goal:

Although they hold enormous potential for biological discovery, geothermal ecosystems have received relatively little study, owing in part to the complex logistical and experimental problems associated with research on natural geothermal systems. Whole-system manipulation is generally not feasible nor desirable, and study sites are often in remote locations lacking the laboratory infrastructure needed for long-term observations and measurements. Scientific study of geothermal ecosystems and their thermophilic biota would be greatly facilitated by construction of a laboratory microcosm.

The major goal of this senior research team project will be to design and construct a geothermal microcosm facility for the study of thermophilic biota and geothermal ecosystems in a model geothermal environment. The microcosm will feature a system of 40 liter tanks with temperature gradients both within tanks and along the flow gradient between tanks. The microcosm will model physical features such as substrate and sediment texture and composition, steam vents, flow regimes and mixing. The microcosm will model chemical features such as pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and mineral content of the water.

Field Methods:

Field work will be conducted in Harney County, Oregon during a four-day expedition in January 2003. Specimens for microcosm recruitment of thermophilic biota will be collected from a variety of temperature, moisture and substrate conditions at Mickey Springs, centered on 42° 40' 41"N, 118° 21' W, and at Borax Springs, centered on 42° 20' N, 118° 36' W. Other geothermal habitats will be visited during the collecting expedition. Chemical and physical conditions in the Springs will be measured in situ, and geothermal habitats for all specimens will be photodocumented. Specimens collection protocol will follow Castenholtz (1981) and transported to the lab while maintaining chemical and physical conditions as close as possible to ambient conditions in the Springs.

Laboratory Methods:

Organisms in field-collected water and substrate specimens will be photodocumented. A variety of enrichment cultures will be started and monitored. Thermophilic organisms will be isolated and cultured, and studied under various co-cultural combinations.

Field collected substrate and water specimens will be used as structural material and innoculum in the establishment of microcosms. Biotic and abiotic variables will be monitored. Physical and chemical characteristics of the microcosms will be modeled. Microcosms will be used as model systems to answer specific questions about thermophilic biota.

Problems feasibly addressed with the microcosm during the winter term:

How does species composition change along temperature gradients within the microcosm?

How does species composition along temperature gradients change in response to gradient perturbations?

How are Ostracod populations linked to light and nutrient supply to cyanobacterial flora?

How does Ostracod grazing of Oscillatoria populations influence cyanobacterial diversity

How do motile organisms respond to diurnal light cycles?

How do diurnal cycles of movement within mats respond to changes in light cycles?

How are species structured within mat components of the microcosm?

How do populations of eukaryotic species change during colonization of the microcosm?

For More Information Contact:
Dr. Steven L. Jessup SC 206 Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 10:00 – 12:00, Friday 10:00 – 11:00

jessup@sou.edu
(541) 552-6804

ENROLLMENT LIMITED TO 12 STUDENTS
register early to ensure your place in the course

Senior Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Winter 2003 Senior Research
Dr. Steven Jessup

DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A
HOT SPRING MICROCOSM
FOR LABORATORY STUDY OF
LIFE IN GEOTHERMAL ENVIRONMENTS

Introduction:

Geothermal environments (e.g. hot springs) are home to a diverse biota of thermophilic organisms. Scientific exploration for life in geothermal environments has accelerated in recent decades, and dramatically new forms of life have been discovered in recent years.

The biotechnology revolution has been profoundly accelerated by discovery of heat-resistant enzymes such as the DNA polymerases produced by the hot springs bacterium, Thermus aquaticus, source of the now ubiquitous laboratory reagent, Taq.

With the rise in popularity of hot tubs, spas, and bathing in natural hot springs, a whole generation of boomers has come into intimate contact with thermophilic organisms, including those causing the deadly primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Problems feasibly addressed with the microcosm during the winter term:

How does species composition change along temperature gradients within the microcosm?

How does species composition along temperature gradients change in response to gradient perturbations?

How are Ostracod populations linked to light and nutrient supply to cyanobacterial flora?

How does Ostracod grazing of Oscillatoria populations influence cyanobacterial diversity

How do motile organisms respond to diurnal light cycles?

How do diurnal cycles of movement within mats respond to changes in light cycles?

How are species structured within mat components of the microcosm?

How do populations of eukaryotic species change during colonization of the microcosm?

Senior Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Winter 2003 Senior Research Dr. Steven Jessup

DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A HOT SPRING MICROCOSM FOR LABORATORY STUDY OF LIFE IN GEOTHERMAL ENVIRONMENTS

Introduction: Geothermal environments (e.g. hot springs) are home to a diverse biota of thermophilic organisms. Scientific exploration for life in geothermal environments has accelerated in recent decades, and dramatically new forms of life have been discovered in recent years.

The biotechnology revolution has been profoundly accelerated by discovery of heat-resistant enzymes such as the DNA polymerases produced by the hot springs bacterium, Thermus aquaticus, source of the now ubiquitous laboratory reagent, Taq.

With the rise in popularity of hot tubs, spas, and bathing in natural hot springs, a whole generation of boomers has come into intimate contact with thermophilic organisms, including those causing the deadly primary amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Problems feasibly addressed with the microcosm during the winter term:

How does species composition change along temperature gradients within the microcosm?

How does species composition along temperature gradients change in response to gradient perturbations?

How are Ostracod populations linked to light and nutrient supply to cyanobacterial flora?

How does Ostracod grazing of Oscillatoria populations influence cyanobacterial diversity

How do motile organisms respond to diurnal light cycles?

How do diurnal cycles of movement within mats respond to changes in light cycles?

How are species structured within mat components of the microcosm?

How do populations of eukaryotic species change during colonization of the microcosm?

Senior Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Winter 2003 Senior Research
Dr. Steven Jessup

DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A
HOT SPRING MICROCOSM
FOR LABORATORY STUDY OF
LIFE IN GEOTHERMAL ENVIRONMENTS

Introduction:

Geothermal environments (e.g. hot springs) are home to a diverse biota of thermophilic organisms. Scientific exploration for life in geothermal environments has accelerated in recent decades, and dramatically new forms of life have been discovered in recent years.