Scripps Oceanography scientists to take part in deep-sea exploration off coast of Alaska
A team of scientists from UC San Diego`s Scripps Institution of Oceanography is getting ready to explore the deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Alaska, where very little is known about the diverse ecosystems in those waters.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A team of scientists from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography is getting ready to explore the deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Alaska.
Scientists will be setting off in the Alvin submersible for the Aleutian Margin off the coast of Alaska, where very little is known about the diverse ecosystems in those waters.
The National Science Foundation and NOAA supported expedition is taking place from May 16 to June 7, 2024.
The Alvin submersible and team deployed from UC San Diego's Nimitz Marine Facility in Point Loma on Friday at 2 p.m. PDT.
The Aleutian Margin off of Alaska is home to deep-water corals and known methane seeps -- parts of the seafloor that leak methane.
Scientists say some organisms have evolved to consume methane, creating a unique ecosystem cut off from the sun that includes clams, worms, sponges, crabs, octopus, and fishes.
The Lasuen Knoll methane seep off the coast of Southern California as photographed in 2021. UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin and colleagues from several research institutions explored the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible. The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis departed July 16, 2023 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends. UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen photographed the researchers, Alvin, and R/V Atlantis during cruise preparations on July 12, 2023 at Scripps Oceanography's Nimitz Marine Facility. (Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute) 
The Lasuen Knoll methane seep off the coast of Southern California as photographed in 2021. UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin and colleagues from several research institutions explored the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible. The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis departed July 16, 2023 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends. UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen photographed the researchers, Alvin, and R/V Atlantis during cruise preparations on July 12, 2023 at Scripps Oceanography's Nimitz Marine Facility. (Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute) 
A squat lobster photographed at the Lasuen Knoll methane seep off the coast of Southern California in 2021. UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin and colleagues from several research institutions explored the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible. The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis departed July 16, 2023 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends. UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen photographed the researchers, Alvin, and R/V Atlantis during cruise preparations on July 12, 2023 at Scripps Oceanography's Nimitz Marine Facility. (Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute) 
UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin and colleagues from several research institutions explored the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible. The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis departed July 16, 2023 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends. UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen photographed the researchers, Alvin, and R/V Atlantis during cruise preparations on July 12, 2023 at Scripps Oceanography's Nimitz Marine Facility. Research submersible Alvin aboard WHOI research vessel Atlantis. (Credit: Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego) 
UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin and colleagues from several research institutions explored the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible. The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis departed July 16, 2023 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends. UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen photographed the researchers, Alvin, and R/V Atlantis during cruise preparations on July 12, 2023 at Scripps Oceanography's Nimitz Marine Facility. Research submersible Alvin aboard WHOI research vessel Atlantis. (Credit: Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego) 
From left, Francis Nguyen, Devin Vlach, Lisa Levin, María Emilia Bravo, Olivia Pereira, Ailish Ullmann, and Michelle Guraieb pose in front of Alvin submersible. All pictured are associated with UCSD except Bravo, an Argentinian researcher and former Fulbright scholar. Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin and colleagues from several research institutions explored the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible. The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis departed July 16, 2023 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends. UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen photographed the researchers, Alvin, and R/V Atlantis during cruise preparations on July 12, 2023 at Scripps Oceanography's Nimitz Marine Facility. (Credit: Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego UC San Diego) 
UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor emerita Lisa Levin and colleagues from several research institutions explored the poorly understood deep-sea ecosystems surrounding methane seeps off the coast of Southern California using the Alvin human-occupied submersible. The 14-day National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded voyage aboard the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis departed July 16, 2023 to study where the methane emerging from these seeps goes and how far its biological sphere of influence extends. UC San Diego photographer Erik Jepsen photographed the researchers, Alvin, and R/V Atlantis during cruise preparations on July 12, 2023 at Scripps Oceanography's Nimitz Marine Facility. (Credit: Erik Jepsen, UC San Diego)
The team of scientists is led by Lisa Levin, deep sea ecologist and Professor Emerita at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It also includes Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's biologist Tim Shank, CalTech's Victoria Orphan, Occidental College's Shana Goffredi and UCLA's Trina Treude.
According to Scripps, if the team can show that more microbes and animals are utilizing methane farther from the seeps, it could have important implications for conservation as methane seeps are being considered for protection from exploitation.
Studying microbes that consume methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that occurs naturally on the seafloor and is often created by microbes breaking down organic material, could also provide insights into fighting climate change, including methane capture, Scripps noted.
The expedition will bring scientists to depths up to 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), marking the deepest dive of the Alvin, which is operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and deployed from Research Vessel Atlantis.
Researchers will also be using the autonomous underwater vehicles, Orpheus and Eurydice, to map and explore known methane seeps sites along the Aleutian/Alaskan margin.
Because of the importance of these natural resources, the U.S. government has identified the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone around Alaska’s Aleutian Islands as a priority for exploration and characterization.
The team anticipates discovering new seeps; chemosynthetic, coral, and sponge communities; seafloor minerals; and more during this expedition.
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