Life in Volcanic Glass: Characterizing the Formation and Preservation of Biosignatures in the Troodos Ophiolite

Microorganisms that inhabit subseafloor basalts have enormous effects on global geochemical cycling and may represent some of the oldest signs of life on Earth. This makes the study of biosignatures in fragments of ancient seafloor (ophiolites) an importa nt endeavor. Researchers in Bergen have pioneered this field of study and together with US colleagues have characterized the morphology, geochemistry, and isotopic ratios of bioalteration features in subseafloor basalts. A clear model of the microbial mec hanisms of bioalteration in such rocks still eludes us however, and the key environmental controls on their formation are yet to be fully identified. Here we propose a new approach in this collaborative effort that will take advantage of the unique natura l laboratory provided by the Troodos Ophiolite in Cyprus. This project will require the combined efforts and expertise of researchers at the Center for Excellence in Geobiology (CGB) at the University of Bergen (Nicola McLoughlin and Harald Furnes) with those of Emily Knowles (EK) at the University of Colorado. We will conduct two weeks of fieldwork to sample volcanic glass from exposures in the Troodos Ophiolite that show contrasting alteration histories. Systematic collection of samples from different hydrological regimes will enable us to investigate fluid flow and geochemistry as controls on the morphology and preservation of the bioalteration textures. This will involve morphological and geochemical analyses of the features at the CGB. We are propos ing four months for the main part of this study, during which time EK will be a visiting researcher at CGB. This will be an excellent opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and skills between researchers in the US and Norway, as well as helping to buil d the careers of two young scientists. In addition, this study has exciting implications for the early evolution of life on Earth, and the search for life on other planets, which is of widespread public interest.