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FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek

Unravelling hidden processes at the Aurora seamount: connectivity and biogeography of hydrothermal vents in the deep Arctic ocean

Alternative title: Løsning av skjulte prosesser ved Aurora sjøfelt: Tilkobling og biogeografi av undervannsventilene i det dype arktiske havet

Awarded: NOK 3.5 mill.

The hydrothermal chimneys in the Arctic could play a pivotal role in unraveling the connection between various vent populations and chemosynthetic-based ecosystems. They could serve as a pathway facilitating the connectivity of vent fauna across different ocean basins. Our project has undertaken two expeditions to explore hydrothermal vents beneath the Arctic ice, utilizing a remotely operated vehicle in the Gakkel Ridge, at an impressive depth of 4000 meters. Our investigations have revealed the distinctiveness of Aurora vent populations compared to other vent areas. Furthermore, our results demonstrate a linkage between Arctic and Southern Ocean vents. Notably, our findings challenge the current understanding of hydrothermal vent biogeography in the Pacific Ocean, suggesting a single large biogeographic region. In conclusion, our study provides invaluable insights into the biogeography of deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems, elucidating the distribution patterns of life in these extreme environments. These discoveries carry significant implications for conservation and management strategies aimed at preserving the unique biodiversity of the deep ocean.

The main outcomes from AURORA include a characterisation of i) the Arctic vent fauna, ii) their position in global biogeographical delineations of hydrothermal vents, organic falls and cold-seeps and iii) a global database of species distribution data from chemosynthesis-based ecosystems (MACROCHESS).The project also produced an MSc thesis. The results obtained during AURORA also form an important contribution to the upcoming Vent Red List –project. Five publications are currently in preparation.

Understanding the role played by deep Arctic ecosystems in global biodiversity, ecosystem function and services is important in the current changing oceans. New knowledge on these still pristine ecosystems and, in particular, understanding population connectivity, are critical when defining spatial management strategies. The complex deep Arctic ecosystems on the Gakkel Ridge have been suggested as pathways for larval dispersal between ocean basins, but visual confirmation of the first Arctic vents under sea-ice, the Aurora vent field (82.5°N), was not obtained until 2014, and the dispersal potential of vent fauna remains poorly understood and entirely unknown for Arctic communities. AURORA will push forward the frontiers of deep-sea and Arctic research, in collaboration with the FRINATEK-HACON project, unraveling the physical, bathymetric and ecological processes that drive population connectivity of vent and seamount species in the Arctic. The overall goal of AURORA is to evaluate the role of the Gakkel Ridge as a connectivity pathway between ocean basins and asses its biogeographic status at the global scale, producing novel knowledge of a pristine region as well as essential scientifically-robust data for future management plans. My expertise and the support provided by the two hosts and the HACON project ensure that I can address this goal with the highest scientific standards. I will conduct the first dispersal study for deep Arctic vent and seamount species using biophysical tools during the outgoing phase at the Uni. Aveiro (Portugal), and apply the acquired skills and data to analyse vent biogeographic patterns during the return phase at NIVA (Norway). AURORA is organised around 3 WPs, including 2 research WPs (WP1-connectivity, UAVR; WP2-biogeography, NIVA), and a cross-cutting WP focusing on my Personal Career Plan (WP3). Transversal communication and dissemination plans for the whole project have been carefully designed.

Publications from Cristin

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FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek