Project: Develop a 1D biogeochemical-evolutionary model for deep sediments

Acronym/Short Name:BIO-SED
Project Duration:2016-10 -2019-03

Description

Microorganisms buried in marine sediments endure prolonged energy-limitation over geological timescales. This C-DEBI project will investigate energy and activity levels among microbial communities in the marine subsurface. We use thermodynamic and microbial-biogeochemical modelling principles to explore and quantify:
- The energy sources to deeply buried microorganisms and their demand for energy.
- The activity of microorganisms and the factors that determine physiological transitions between active and dormant states.
- The varying energy requirements of active and dormant microbes and the allocation of energy between maintenance and growth.
- The cell-specific energy utilization (i.e. power) of subsurface life on a global scale.

DatasetLatest Version DateCurrent State
POC concentration at the sediment water interface quantified from bio-energetic modeling on a 0.25°×0.25° resolution global grid2020-11-13Preliminary and in progress
Power produced by microbial POC degradation in Quaternary-age sediment quantified from bio-energetic modeling of subseafloor parameters on a 0.25°×0.25° resolution global grid2020-11-13Preliminary and in progress
Microbial power production per cell in Quaternary-age sediment quantified from bio-energetic modeling of subseafloor parameters on a 0.25°×0.25° resolution global grid2020-11-13Preliminary and in progress
Cell-specific power utilization (power per cell) in methanogenic, oxic, and sulfate-reducing sediments quantified from bio-energetic modeling of subseafloor parameters on a 0.25°×0.25° resolution global grid2020-11-13Preliminary and in progress
Major catabolic pathway of organic carbon oxidation in Quaternary-age sediment quantified from bio-energetic modeling of subseafloor parameters on a 0.25°×0.25° resolution global grid2020-11-13Preliminary and in progress
Modeling bio-energetics for South Pacific Gyre marine sediment at site U13702019-12-20Final no updates expected
Calculated power from the oxidation of necromass that is produced in marine sediment on a global scale.2019-12-20Final no updates expected
Calculated power from the oxidation of biomolecules with oxygen at South Pacific Gyre (hole U1370, IODP Expedition 329)2019-12-20Final no updates expected

Project Home Page

People

Lead Principal Investigator: James Bradley
Queen Mary University of London

Co-Principal Investigator: Doug LaRowe
University of Southern California (USC)

Programs

Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations [C-DEBI]

Data Management Plan

DMP_Bradley_LaRowe_OCE-0939564.pdf (87.30 KB)
02/09/2025

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Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation