Research status

scientists grouped around a newly opened sediment core Foto: CGB

During the first three years of the project period there has been a strong focus on developing both analytical facilities and new analytical procedures, while simultaneously conducting major field campaigns to establish the natural laboratories necessary to reach the Centre objectives.

We have:

1. established a new geomicrobiology laboratory
2. developed procedures for undertaking metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses
3. established a new biogeochemistry laboratory
4. established a new Raman Spectroscopy laboratory
5. expanded upon an existing mass-spectrometry laboratory facility with new laser ablation and ion-counter systems
6. developed heavy stable isotope analytical techniques
7. contributed to the establishment of a new updated seawater laboratory facility.

In addition, CGB’s extensive international collaborations and networks give our researchers and students access to a wide range of complementary, state-of-the-art analytical facilities worldwide.

CGB has also focused on developing Norwegian deep-sea research capabilities. We have modified the RV G.O. Sars so that she can serve as a platform for autonomic vehicles (AUV). Through collaboration with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and Kongsberg Maritime, an AUV is now available for CGB and others for deep marine research. We have continued to collaborate with a marine technology company to develop remotely operated vehicles for marine research, and we now operate routinely at abyssal water depths.

Our facilities provide us with:

1. unique age-dating capabilities for unravelling early Earth history;
2. heavy stable isotope capabilities for studying active and ancient redox processes that will reveal information about Early Earth environments at the time of emergence of life;
3. micro-analytical facilities for investigating processes related to modern biomineralization as well as the earliest traces of life.

We also have developed molecular biological techniques for studying microbial diversity including “omics” approaches for holistic system biology.  We continue to develop our geochemical capabilities. These enable us to better understand the environment and the links between geological and biological processes.

In terms of field campaigns we have:

1. organised five major international cruises to the Arctic Ocean Ridge system and cold seep areas along the continental margin;
2. organised, or been part of eight international expeditions or field campaigns; and
3. organised two major international drilling campaigns to study Early Earth evolution.

These efforts will provide long-term research opportunities for CGB researchers.

Our initial highlights include:

1. discovering the first black smoker hydrothermal field with a novel vent fauna in the Arctic Ocean and
2. the successful drilling and sampling of rocks sequences containing a) some of the oldest traces of life on Earth, and b) a record of the period when the oxygen level increased on Earth.