ANNUAL REPORT 2015

DEEP SEAFLOOR • DEEP BIOSPHERE • DEEP TIME & ROOTS OF LIFE

CENTRE FOR Geobiology DIRECTOR’S COMMENT

As the 10-year period draws to a close, the projects SponGES, Virus-X and the Centre for Geobiology (CGB) has InMare. achieved one of its major goals: setting As CGB researchers continue to the new discipline of Geobiology and study the unique organisms discovered the Deep Sea in general firmly on the along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge University of Bergen’s agenda. The system, they identified a new lineage of university’s new strategy document for microorganism that was shown to 2016-2022 is entitled, “Ocean, Life, represent the closest known prokaryotic Society”, and opens with the following relative to the complex cells of the statement about the university’s eukaryotes. This work, which was activities in these areas: “There is a published in Nature in 2015, may force common thread from the skeletons in us to re-analyse our basic thinking the Whale Hall at the Natural History about the origins of life, and to re-define Museum in Bergen, through Fridjof the currently accepted tree of life! Nansen’s ground breaking studies of the Finally, the highlight of the year nerve cells of hagfish, to today’s ongoing was the launching of Norway’s first outstanding geobiological deep sea research-dedicated Remotely Operated research”. Geobiology is now firmly Vehicle (ROV), the Ægir 6000. Capable anchored in Master and PhD prog­ of diving to 6000m, the new ROV can be rammes at UiB, and work to establish used with a number of suites of modular courses within the Bachelor curriculum sensors and collecting equipment. The is underway. Ægir 6000 was used together with the An unpredicted development at Autonomous Underwater Vehicle TABLE OF CONTENTS CGB has been the many applied (AUV), Hugin, on the research cruise directions that have resulted from the summer 2015 enabling the cruise team p03 Director’s Comment Centre’s focus on basic deep sea, geo­ to be much more effective at localising p04 Research Highlights biological research. In 2015, CGB hydrothermal vent fields – and a new researchers have been invited speakers vent field was indeed discovered in p05 1. Research Cruise Summer 2015 and advisors in a number of applied record time! ▪ p07 2. CGB Hosts International Meeting arenas, including bio-prospecting and on Deep Sea Resources mining genetic resources, as well as p08 3. How Many Branches in the Tree of Life? deep-sea mineral resources and mining Ingunn Thorseth p10 4. SponGES – a unique deep sea research waste issues. CGB also hosted an Centre Director programme funded international, interdisciplinary work­ p11 5. Training the Next Generation: shop focusing on the exploitation of From Multidisciplinarity to Interdisciplinarity seafloor massive sulphide deposits, p13 Research Themes where more than 70 experts from 14 countries participated. p19 Organisation Centre researchers were also p20 Outreach involved as participants and leaders in p22 Research Projects 2015 large new projects at the national and p24 Staff international level. Examples include 3 from the EU Horizon 2020 programme, p25 Funding & Expenses p26 Selected Publications p27 Photo Credits

2 3 RESEARCH CRUISE SUMMER 2015

The highlight of this year’s field activity was the launching and testing of Norway’s new, marine research-dedicated, remotely operated vehicle (ROV), christened the Ægir 6000 after a mythical Norwegian figure associated with the sea.

Norway is well positioned to be a world leader in marine research. It has a long his- tory as a marine nation as well as easy access to different kinds of marine environments, including deep, open ocean. The Research Council of Norway has supported the estab- lishment of a nationally-based, world-class, modern infrastructure for deep sea research: the Norwegian Marine Robotics Facility (NORMAR), which is jointly run by the Uni- RESEARCH versity of Bergen (UiB), the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) and the Christian Michelsen HIGHLIGHTS Institute (CMI). “Eyes” and “hands” on the seafloor The building, launching and testing of the Ægir moves the Facility from the drawing- board to action stations; in this case, the seafloor. Capable of diving to 6000m, the new ROV has an up-to-date suite of different sampling modules and cameras that will enable it to be virtual extensions of both the The AUV Hugin being recovered, summer 2015. “eyes” and “hands” of CGB researchers, as well as other Norwegian and international re­ searchers, on the deep seafloor. The results Read more about this summer’s cruise on the operational for this summer’s activity, it was from this summer’s cruise will further Centre CGB web site Research / In the Field / Summer possible to rent another TMS system. The research activity in a number of areas includ- Cruise 2015 TMS system extends the ROV’s capabilities. ing: the degradation (“weathering”) of marine It is a cage-like containment system for mine tailings; bioprospecting for new en- Testing the Ægir transporting the ROV during deployment. It zymes; increasing our understanding of In addition to discovering a new vent, the stores and deploys the tethering cable ena- venting processes; and learning more about Ægir successfully undertook sampling ac- bling the ROV itself to be decoupled from the the unusual animals that live in these ex­ tivities and recovered incubators previously­ motion of the surface vessel as well as allow- treme and inaccessible environments. While left in situ at different sites on the deep sea- ing it to operate at a larger radius from the testing the Ægir, CGB researchers found their floor. While the Ægir’s dedicated Tether mother ship. The TMS also has sample stor- 6th new hydrothermal vent field! Management System (TMS) was not fully age facilities so that the ROV can make sev- eral collection efforts, thus making each dive potentially much more effective. CGB HYDROTHERMAL VENT FINDS: In situ mine tailing experiments VENT NAME YEAR DISCOVERED CGB researchers are conducting a series of in Jan Mayen Vent Field: Soria Moria 2005 situ experiments that will provide informa­ tion about the effects of depositing mine Jan Mayen Vent Field: Trollveggen 2005 tailings on the seafloor – specifically, how this material will “weather” on the seafloor. Loki´s Castle 2008 Three different types of experiments are on-going at both Loki’s Castle Vent Field and Jan Mayen Vent Field: Perle & Bruse 2014 the Jan Mayen Vent Fields: deployment of incubators, taking of push cores and deliber- 7-sisters 2014 ately making scars in the sulphide chimneys on the seafloor. Two incubators were set out New vent 2015 at each field in 2014.They were filled with ground, gem-grade pyrite (FeS2), which is the The new ROV “Ægir 6000” being launched together with a Tether Management System (TMS), 5 summer 2015. CGB HOSTS INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON DEEP SEA RESOURCES

Over 70 international experts, from 14 different countries, policy makers from different organisations, representing a cross-section of different lines of intervention, to seriously debate the future of ocean-mining. including geology, environment, biology and policy, gathered May 2015, at a workshop hosted by the Centre for Geobiology (CGB). Should we engage in deep sea mining? • Can we justify the potential ­environmental damage and risks? The workshop was the last frontiers on Earth more accessible: entitled, “From Sea- the deep sea. With knowledge and reflection, • Do we need to access these floor Hydrothermal we have a chance to optimise our exploration resources to su­stain our current Systems to the Sus- and exploitation. and future ­development? tainable Exploitation • What biological and mineral resources of Massive Sulfide exist in the deep sea? Disseminating knowledge to society Deposits: Myths and In keeping with UiB’s mission and goals, this • What potential importance do these Filipa Marques Realities of the Deep Deep Sea workshop was an excellent oppor- resources have for supporting continued Sea”. It was led by As- tunity for researchers to both impart and human development on Earth? sociate Professor, Filipa Marques. ­reflect on the most recent research scientific An international workshop provides re- results. It began with a series of 4 open lectures­ Deep sea mining is a case in point. Specialised searchers and students with an opportunity sessions that shared the discussion and infor- mining companies have already been engag- to exchange ideas and results. It can stimulate mation with the wider university community ing in preliminary studies and some, for ex- The G.O.Sars’ RIB in action, summer 2015. network building, the formation of new and any interested members of the public. The ample, Nautilus, are set to begin production partnerships and collaborations and initiate workshop provided opportunities for dialogue within a few years. new research directions. This potential was and the exchange of ideas between researchers enhanced by the extremely multidisciplinary • Are we ready? and policy-makers and stake-holders. It also nature of the workshop participants. • Are the regulatory, environmental, fulfils CGB’s mandate to generate and share most common of all sulphide minerals. Ægir hand­ling. This summer CGB researchers operations in different locations on each ROV legal and more structures in place? new fundamental interdisciplinary­ know­ recovered one of these this summer; the tested an important new sampling dive because the chambers are completely Setting the Groundwork ledge that significantly impacts such a new other will remain on the seafloor to “incu- instrument: a new suction pump module separated from one another, thereby isolating for Science-Driven Policy Making Marques gathered researchers from different international research frontier. ▪ bate” further. with a set of rotating chambers. The suction each sample. Advances in technology are making one of institutes and disciplines, together with pump sampling tool is used to relatively In addition to the suction pump samples, Enzyme hunting gently extract samples from the seafloor. On the video uptake on the Ægir 6000 provided Enzymes are bio-catalysts. They are specific, previous research cruises the ROV has been excellent film material of deep sea organisms reusable, efficient, effective, and generate outfitted with a suction pump sampler that in situ, something that is of increasing im- little waste. Bioprospecting is the process of was only capable of conducting one sampling portance when studying and identifying exploring nature for potential new, naturally operation per dive. The new module’s ­organisms living in such inaccessible and occurring enzymes to help make many in- rotating chambers will make it possible to inhospitable environments. ▪ dustrial processes more efficient. Unexplored undertake several different sampling and inaccessible communities such as those CGB has discovered around the arctic deep sea hydrothermal vents provide unique opportu­nities for such enzyme searches. During this summer’s cruise, CGB re- searchers collected one of the team’s incuba- tors from a hydrothermal vent (Perle & Bruse), near Jan Mayen. The incubators had been filled with krill shells, wood pulp and wheat grains – complex organic carbon sources. After recovery, the communities that had grown in the incubator were subjected to metagenomic studies aimed at enzyme min- ing. In this case the CGB researchers were looking for enzymes that are capable of breaking down complex organic compounds.

Gently sampling bio-diversity The ROV’s “dig and scoop” drawer can be used for seafloor sampling of bottom dwelling organisms capable of tolerating rough CGB researchers Desiree Roerdink (L) and Steffen Leth Jørgensen (R). Top: Cindy Van Dover (L) and Steve Scott (R). Bottom: Lawrence Cathles (L) and Robert Embley (R). Ingunn H. Thorseth (L) and Kristina Gjerde (R).

6 7 HOW MANY According to Jørgensen, the story about the Lokiarchaeota does not end here; there is much more genomic information about this BRANCHES group awaiting further interpretation. Read more from CGB’s web site / News IN THE TREE a. archive / May 2015. Most of us generally think about OF LIFE? the multitudes of creatures The current consensus is that eukaryotes occupying the many, outermost, evolved from prokaryotes. However, the two b. prokaryotic domains, Bacteria and Archaea, smallest branches of the tree of are relatively simple in terms of their cyto- life. However, some researchers logical complexity, while eukaryotic cells are are pre-occupied with what is typified by a high degree of cellular compart- really a question of how many mentalization. From an evolutionary point trunks there are in the tree of life: of view, it is hard to reconcile that the cellular BACTERIA Lokiarchaeota complexity in eukaryotes evolved from the where and when did the first ARCHAEA Last Eukaryotic Ancestor simpler systems. branching occur? How many Does the tree of life begin with 3 main EUKARYA Origin of Life original branches were there? lineages, the 3 domains Bacteria, Archaea and Prokaryotes? Eukaryotes? Eukaryotes? Or are the Archaea and Eukary- Archaea? a. Representation of the classical 3 domain tree of life introduced by Carl Woese in the late 80ies. It consist of the otes, in fact, sister lineages? monophyletic groups; Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. Evidence for a common ancestry between b. Representation of the newly proposed 2 domain tree of life in which only Bacteria and Archaea are monophyletic and where Eukarya is located within the archaeal domain with Lokiarchaeota representing the closest sister group to Eukarya. archaea and eukaryotes was further substan- tiated when the first archaeal genomes were It is very seldom that a researcher is part of sequenced, revealing that many of the genes an epiphany result that sheds light on such use advances in technology to unravel the found near the base of the tree of life (actually involved in the cellular core of the genetic fundamental questions. Nevertheless, CGB mysteries of who is there and what they are at the base of the so-called TACK-phylum). information processing genes of Archaea post-doc, Steffen Leth Jørgensen’s research doing. The decision was made to undertake a full- were shared with, or similar to those of Eu- turned out to yield exactly such a ground- Jørgensen explains what happened in scale metagenomics’ study of the sample’s karyotes. It appears that eukaryotic genomes breaking result, and the work was published this particular study. During a research cruise genetic material with CGB’s collaborators in include genes of both archaeal and bacterial in Nature in 2015. summer 2008 – the cruise where CGB discov- Uppsala, Sweden. origin as well as genes that are specific to ered their first Black Smoker, Loki’s Castle – The initial results showed that the DSAG Eukaryotes. The presence of many bacterial Characterising Life on the Frontiers Jørgensen was collecting sediment cores from genome was full of eukaryotic signature genes in Eukaryote genomes can be explained Who lives there? What are they doing? How the areas around the vent, but some distance genes! This was so unexpected that the team by the endosymbiosis processes that gave rise do they thrive? CGB researchers have been away, to establish reference, base-line undertook further analyses to ensure that to organelles such as mitochondria and working systematically to try to identify, informa­tion about the microbial communi- there had been no possible contamination. chloroplasts. However, the identity and na- isolate and characterize the organisms they ties in the sediments near and away from the Jørgensen explains that the team found it ture of the host cell, LECA, from which the are finding during their deep sea explorations. vents. CGB researchers undertook compre- even more fascinating that these genes were core components of the eukaryotic nuclear A major focus of the Centre’s deep sea hensive molecular and geochemical studies not just random genes, but the exact type of lineage descended, is unclear. Recent studies activity has been the fascinating phenome- of the core sediments. Typically, different genes one would expect to find in the ances- focusing on phylogenetic analyses of univer- non of hydrothermal venting. A number of sediment horizons in the core have different tor to the complex eukaryotic cells. This work sal protein datasets have provided robust different kinds of vents have been discovered, microbial communities based on differences makes an important contribution to the on- support for the idea that Eukaryotes emerged revealing in turn, different geological pro- in the core’s geochemical composition. going debate about the nature and timing of from the archaeal ‘TACK superphylum’. This cesses on-going at mid-ocean ridges, and the events leading to the development of the current work supports this theory. ▪ slow- / ultra-slow-spreading Arctic mid-ocean On the Track of an Uncultured Mystery Eukaryotic Domain (eukaryogenesis). ridge in particular. Analyses of the samples One horizon, in particular, attracted Jørgens- collected, including sediment cores and sea- en’s interest as it was highly enriched in a Lokiarcheota floor structures such as chimneys, are not specific uncultured archaeal group - the Deep The team have proposed the name Loki­ only revealing detailed geological and geo- Sea Archaeal Group (DSAG). Archaea have archeota for this group of Archaea, previously LAST COMMON chemical information, but the samples are often been found as being a significant com- named DSAG/Marine Benthic Group B. The EUKARYOTIC ANCESTOR teaming with microbial life. ponent of the microbial communities in name references the sampling location, Loki’s marine sediments, and the DSAG is one of the Castle. Loki is the name of an ancient Norse Who was the Last Common Being CSI Investigators most predominant archaeal groups found to shaping-shifting deity, described as being a Eukaryotic Ancestor (LECA), CGB researchers have worked hard to estab- be present. However, despite their high “staggeringly complex, confusing and ambiva­ ultimately the ancestor from lish metagenomics pipelines capable of under- abundance, no members of this group have lent figure who has been the catalyst of which we humans evolved? This taking the complex analyses needed to re­solve yet been characterised and thus nothing countless unresolved scholarly controversies. is a profound question, not only the microbial field data being collected. about their metabolism is known. It is a fitting name for a group of organisms in an academic context but for our Although they have had some success with The group was particularly interesting to that are now playing a central role in an on- understanding and perception of isolating and culturing a few individual Jørgensen because previous phylogenetic going debate about the base of the tree of life, who we are, ourselves. microbes, the vast majority of microbes are, work with this group, i.e. work with its as it was for the vent system itself, which was as yet, uncultured. The resear­ ­chers are evolutionary history and relationships to maddeningly elusive before it was finally essentially Crime Scene Investigators­ as they other groups, had shown that the DSAG are discovered.

8 Gravity corer being 9 launched. Training the Next Generation: FROM MULTIDISCIPLINARITY TO INTERDISCIPLINARITY

One of CGB’s key goals has been to train a new generation of truly interdisciplinary researchers: genuine geobiologists.

The idea was to take students from various logists, all five now consider themselves to be collaborations;­ becoming “interdisciplinary” multidisciplinary backgrounds and to train geobiologists. Each spoke of an academic takes extra time and effort so there is a need to them to cross disciplines so that they would journey that had been challenging, fascinating, know that one is part of a venture with a long- become a new generation of interdisciplinary positive and enriching. There were some term perspective; that it is grounded at UiB and geobiology researchers, with a common common elements to their experiences of will continue after the CGB project period language, background and approaches. becoming interdisciplinary: a willingness to Here we feature five CGB researchers who learn new “languages” and new “ways of Read more on CGB’s web site Education / have completed a PhD during the time they ­thinking”;­ the importance of being co-located Training the Next Generation have been associated with the Centre. – how physically­ sitting close together facili­ Originally a mixture of biologists and geo­ tated formal and informal exchanges and

technically demanding and costly as deep sea BUILDING INTERNATIONAL exploration. International collaborations make NETWORKS it possible to share and pool costly resources such as specialised equipment and laboratories, NAME: Tamara Baumberger ship time etc. in addition to exchanging person­ ­ PHD TITLE: Volatiles in Marine nel, knowledge and approaches. Hydrothermal Systems PHD DATE OF COMPLETION: 2011 Exchanging expertise Baumberger herself has shared CGB expertise when she has participated in international SPONGES – A UNIQUE DEEP SEA cruises elsewhere in the world, including NOAA research cruises. She will continue RESEARCH PROGRAMME FUNDED CGB’s network building as she takes up a NOAA post-doc position in Newport, Oregon, USA. However, she will continue to be involved in Steffen Leth Jørgensen Researchers from UiB and CGB will higher than other deep sea ecosystems such 2 Improving innovation and industrial Centre activity, including being involved in the coordinate a research project focusing on the as cold-water coral reefs or vents/seeps sys­ application by unlocking the supervision of a CGB PhD student. Jørgensen says that one achieves a much exploration of the deep sea sponge grounds tems. However, in contrast to these, sponge biotechnological potential of these deeper understanding of a research problem in the north Atlantic. The project named grounds have so far received relatively little ecosystems and the research itself can be placed in a “SponGES – Deep sea Sponge Grounds Eco- scientific or conservation attention. 3 Improving the capacity to model, NEW IDEAS FLOURISH IN much broader context at the cross-over systems of the North Atlantic: an inte­grated The overall objective of SponGES is understand and predict threats and INTERDISCIPLINARITY between disciplines. According to Jørgensen, approach towards their preservation­ and therefore to develop an integrated eco­ impacts and future anthropogenic and mastering the “jargon” is critical to truly sustainable exploitation”­ is supported for system-based concept for the preservation­ climate-driven changes to these becoming an interdisciplinary scientist – and four years with a 10 million Euro grant from and sustainable exploitation of vulner­able ecosystems Tamara Baumberger NAME: Steffen Leth Jørgensen this is best accomplished by being exposed Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innova­ deep sea sponge ecosystems of the North PHD TITLE: Linking Microbial Community to the different disciplinary languages on a tion programme. All together 18 universities Atlantic. By establishing an international­ 4 Advancing the science-policy interface Swiss National, Tamara Baumberger, actually Structures and Geochemistry in daily basis; by having researchers from and institutions are involved as partners. and interdisciplinary con­sortium of research­ and developing tools for improved completed her PhD at ETH Zurich Switzerland.­ Deep-Sea Sediments & pursuing the different disciplines co-locate. Deep sea sponge-dominated communities ers from institutions, environmental non- resource management and good During this time, however, she had a number link between identity and function (grounds, aggregations and gardens) form a governmental and intergovernmental­ org­ governance of these ecosystems from of exchange periods at CGB, including­ partici- PHD DATE OF COMPLETION: January 2013 No question too big! variety of vulnerable marine ecosystems aniza­­tions, SponGES will specifically aim at: regional to international levels across pating in the annual summer cruises. Follow- From student to researcher, Jørgensen feels widespread throughout the North Atlantic the North Atlantic ▪ ing the completion of her PhD, Baumberger Danish National, Steffen Leth Jørgensen, came that being at an international, interdiscipli­ ­ in areas such as shelves, slopes, seamounts, 1 Strengthening the knowledge-base on came to CGB full time as a post-doc researcher. to CGB as a Master student. He is now a post- nary centre such as CGB has provided him mid-ocean ridges, canyons and fjords, where North Atlantic sponge ground doc and his research addresses fundamental with the analytical tools and the freedom to they often “come in conflict” with fishing and ecosystems by investigating their Fostering international collaborations questions in one of the most frontier areas in grow. It has enabled him to establish himself other human activities. Their biodiversity, distribution, diversity, biogeography, Baumberger is a concrete example of CGB’s Biology; the sub-surface biosphere (read more as an international researcher who is con­ ecological importance and biotechnological function and dynamics engagement in international network build­ing. about some recent results that were published tributing to helping to elucidate key ques­ potential are assumed to be similar to or even This is especially important in a field as in Nature on pages 8–9). tions in the deep biosphere.

10 11 RESEARCH THEMES

Bernt Rydland Olsen Irene Roalkvam Ingeborg Elisabet Økland

establishing the work properly; building and INTERDISCIPLINARITY INTERDISCIPLINARITY maintaining the infrastructure; establishing ­PROVIDES GREATER CONTEXT ­PROVIDES UNIQUE DEPTH networks, partnerships and collaborations; undertaking field and lab work as well as conducting the analyses . CGB has had a 10- NAME: Bernt Rydland Olsen NAME: Irene Roalkvam year project period, and the hope is that the PHD TITLE: Developing Molecular Tools to study PHD TITLE: Diversity, stratification and in situ work will continue under the umbrella of a Trophic Interactions in zooplankton metabolism of anaerobic and their implementation in a vent methanotrophic archaea in Nyegga new deep sea centre. system cold seeps PHD DATE OF COMPLETION: June 2014 PHD DATE OF COMPLETION: June 2012 BUILDING BRIDGES Bernt Rydland Olsen began becoming an Irene Roalkvam speaks of how different inter­disciplinary researcher while still at the disciplines involve not only different “lang­ NAME: Ingeborg Elisabet Økland Department of Biology! He needed to build uages” but also different approaches and PHD TITLE: Low temperature geochemical an interdisciplinary “tool box” of approaches ways of thinking, particularly with respect reactions and microbial life in to help him gain overall understanding of to time and space. Coming from a micro­ ultramafic rock whole eco-systems. At CGB he is working to biology background, she notes that, compared PHD DATE OF COMPLETION: February 2013 include geological and geochemical app­ to microbiologists, geologists have more of a roaches to provide context for his work, tendency to think globally and over periods something that further enriches his under­ of thousands of years. Ingeborg Elisabeth Økland understands that standing of an eco-system. Olsen believes that knowledge of one discipline alone is not such close interdisciplinary collaboration is Papers have greater depth enough to understand the “bigger picture”. necessary for the systemic environmental Roalkvam underlines the importance of Her own path to interdisciplinarity has research questions of today, and critical for having different kinds of data from the same moved from geology to geochemistry to addressing the global issues we face in the sample material. It helps to build a stronger geomicrobiology! She says that the next future. understanding of the environments being generation will go one step further; for them, explored by CGB. working interdisciplinarily will simply be a Generating Global Understanding She says that she feels that she can write “way of thinking”. Practically speaking, interdisciplinarity at better, more in-depth papers when geological CGB has facilitated infrastructure collabora­ and geochemical data is also included in the From basic to applied tions between research groups. This has analysis. She also values opportunities for Økland’s research has involved extensive given participants from any one group access interdisciplinary discussions during the fieldwork both on land and at sea. In to field opportunities and research results research and write-up processes that exist at particular, she has used the unique geology that would not have been possible otherwise. CGB. of the Norwegian Island, Leka, as a model to As a result, the unexplored deep sea environ­ Roalkvam’s research has also been a part help bridge understanding of such landscapes ments that CGB has discovered are being of a new, exciting direction at CGB: building with the more inaccessible deep sea studied from many different disciplinary bridges between pure and applied research. counterparts. Her basic research activity has perspectives and the results are being In particular, her work has been providing been to better understand the reactions interpreted and presented in an integrated some insights into some of the issues occurring between rocks, water and micro- interdisciplinary way that provides more involved in bio-corrosion. organisms. This work is now also helping to complete, global understanding­ of these new bridge another important knowledge gap and unique environ­ments. Having time to grow that exists between basic and applied 2015 has been a particularly productive year research. She is part of a CGB advisory for Roalkvam, which underlines the impor- initiative to carry out risk assessment tance being able to participate in research analyses to determine the potential impacts over time periods that are long enough for of storing mine tailings in the sea. ▪

12 13 GEODYNAMICS WATER-ROCK-MICROBE OF THE DEEP INTERACTIONS & THE DEEP SEAFLOOR BIOSPHERE

Ancient on-land volcanogenic This year has been extraordinarily exciting massive sulfide deposits (VMS) because of the discovery of Lokiarchaeota are a major source of base- (see special feature on pages 8–9). metals such as copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold. Their modern Another highlight was the funding of the Sea. We anticipate that the imple­menta­ ­tion analogues, the seafloor Icelandic Surtsey drilling campaign SUSTAIN of this year’s cruise data will enable us to hydrothermal systems, are by the International Continental Scientific produce some valuable insights on the deep Drilling Program (ICDP), with an anticipated marine nitrogen cycle. actively pre­cipitating metal-rich start late summer 2016. Here CGB will be As partner of the EU project MIDAS sulfides that may eventually lead involved both in the initial sampling and in (Managing Impacts of Deep Sea resource to the formation of seafloor the post-drilling in situ observatory. This exploitation), we continued our investigation massive sulfide (SMS) drilling project will be the first to obtain “zero of weathering processes on seafloor massive age” basalt from a marine environment; sulphides (SMS) through the use of in-situ accumulations of potential collecting material that will enable us to experiments at the arctic vent fields. The economic interest. elucidate the biogeochemical interactions in preliminary results from the material that this young rock. was collected during this summer cruise In 2015, we continued to build our show a positive correlation between the Following the successful discoveries of the commitment to international drilling opera­ abundance of microorganisms on the mineral previous cruises in the Arctic Mid-Ocean tions by participating in the Inter­national surfaces and the degree of weathering. This Ridge (AMOR), CGB continues its research Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expedition suggests that geomicrobiological processes on the nature and genesis of seafloor hydro­ 357 to the Atlantis massif. The aim of this play an important role in the degradation of thermal systems and their sulfide accumula­ expedition was to explore the extent and the sulphide minerals in SMS deposits and tions. The findings have proven that the ridge activity of the subsurface biosphere in young this potentially releases heavy metals. This hosts a wide range of types of hydrothermal ultramafic and mafic seafloor. Our analyses indicates that assessment of the potential systems, some with unique characteristics of the samples collected will include specific environmental impact of mineral dissolution that may not have a direct known equivalent focus on the nitrogen cycle. related to deep-sea mining activities should elsewhere on the planet. In addition to these international activi­ include biogeochemical processes in addition One PhD thesis was completed and ties, we continue to have special attention­ on to abiotic geochemical leaching, which is submitted in 2015 under the title “Mineralogy the subsurface geomicrobial proc­esses and often the only factor taken into account in and Geochemistry of contrasting hydro­ element cycling in the Nor­wegian-Greenland­ simulation experiments of such impacts. ▪ thermal systems on the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge (AMOR): The Jan Mayen and Loki’s Sulphide mineral grains after one year of seafloor weathering. Castle vent fields”. This research is a signifi­ cant contribution to the inventory of AMOR system providing data that allow us to understand the base-metal distribution in these two distinct systems of the AMOR. Newly sampled sulfide-sulfate rich rocks from the “Perle og Bruse” site near Jan Mayen Vent Field are being subjected to similar pointed out the possibility that transitional these systems is in its infancy, and that any Photomicrograph in transmitted light microscopy research methods. hybrid VMS deposits with epithermal-style attempt to prematurely portray a generalized depicting translucent The Seven Sisters volcanic suite, a N-S metal enrichment may occur in shallower model of seafloor hydrothermal system networks of cryptocrystalline silica spherules surrounding alignment of small flat-topped volcanic waters and some examples have been found occurrence on the AMOR is imprudent. The opaque, fine-grained, Cu-Fe edifices on the Northern Kolbeinsey ridge, in arc and back-arc settings. But to the best of team’s purpose is there­fore to continue and Zn sulfides. Sample from hosts a shallow (~130 m depth), relatively our knowledge, Seven Sisters would be the exploration and research and to better the Seven Sisters Hydrothermal System, high temperature (~200ºC) hydrothermal first basalt-hosted modern hybrid system understand the complexity, diversity and Northern Kolbeinsey Ridge. system. In 2015, rocks from the Seven Sisters within a slow spreading MOR setting. distribution of these ore-forming systems by were subjected to metallogenetic and Our main objectives have been success­ using a holistic approach that encompasses geochemical studies. Results indicate that the fully achieved as we have continued to the study of both active and inactive/fading mineralization style at Seven Sisters displays explore the AMOR, with new findings being portions of the seafloor hydrothermal hybrid characteristics between magmatic- discovered every year. The evident diversity systems, hosted in different rock types, and dominated epithermal deposits and seafloor of hydrothermal systems explored so far, can in deep and shallow segments of the arctic hydrothermal systems. Many authors have only signify that the full compre­hens­ion of ridge. ▪

14 15 LIFE IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS VENT AND & ROOTS OF LIFE SEEP BIOTA

Deep-sea hydrothermal systems host ecosystems that are driven This theme involves the exploration by the energy that is available from chemical disequilibria. of the deep-water fauna in the Arctic and the NE Atlantic oceans with special emphasis on These chemical disequilibria form when In our research activity thus far, we have geochemical analyses, tran­script­omics and hydrothermal vents and reduced hydrothermal fluids mix with been investigating the microbial responses to 16S rRNA profiling, have given us detailed seamounts along the AMOR. seawater. Due to the presence of many shifting energy landscapes on and around insights on the complex, but apparently tight complex sub-seafloor processes, the chemical black smokers in the different vent fields CGB coupling, between geo­bio­logi­cal processes in composition of the venting fluids varies has discovered along the AMOR. As yet diffuse flow areas. Specifically,­ in a study of within and between hydrothermal systems. knowledge is lacking about the extent to the Loki´s Castle VF published this year, we The resulting spatially and temporally shift­ which the results from these investigations can reported that the metabolic groups of ing energy landscapes make deep-sea hydro­ be used to infer the actual energy landscapes organisms in low-temperature venting barite thermal vent ecosystems excellent natural and distributions of functional groups of chimneys are largely consistent with energy laboratories for studying the association­ organisms in wider areas characterized­ by availability. Moreover, we found that while between chemical energy availability and diffuse or ultra-diffuse low-temperature­ flow. H2 served as an electron donor in the high- microbial community structure. However, recent investiga­tions, involving temperature venting area, it was absent in the low-tempera­­­ture fluids. Consistent with this observation, hydrogenase, the key enzyme

for consumption­ of H2, was differentially expressed between the two sites. This result demonstrates how sub-seafloor processes, in

this case a presumed anaerobic H2 consump­ tion, has a direct effect on the activity of microbial communities on the seafloor. In addition to being influence by the energy landscapes, the physical structuring of the resident microbial communities seems to be affected by variations in the extent of venting. For example, a heat resistant bio­ polymer was crucial for the attachment of filamentous Epsilonproteobaceria of the genus Sulfurovum to the chimney wall of the black smokers in the high temperature venting area, while cotton-like microbial mats were found growing on top of the low-temperature barite Among the main objectives in the ongoing dive – a signifi­cant increase in sampling the more shallow Jan Mayen Vent Fields to the chimneys. In these microbial mats, single cells work is to investigate local adapta­tions and efficacy. This will have a significant impact west and the deeper Loki`s Castle Vent Field to of Epsiloproteobacteria of the genus Sulfuri­ speciation processes, as well as to address on our deep-sea biology research in our the east, and will aid in improving our monas were attached and interconnected­ by potential ecological and evolutionary con­ Norwegian waters. understanding of the genetic and historical thin threads of an extracellular polymeric nectivity between different chemosynthetic­ We have previously shown that there are connectivity of key species. The discovery of substance. habitats in the area, in­cluding­ hydrothermal­ obvious similarities between the fauna found another vent field in the area adds to the These findings illustrate how different vents, cold seeps and sunken wood. We have at hot vents along AMOR, at cold seeps along growing interest in potential mineral (and genera of Epsilonproteobacteria can colonize previously shown that chemosynthetic the Norwegian margin, and from wood-falls bio-) resources to be found along the ridge. different vent fluid mixing zones differently, habitats in the Norwegian and Greenland seas in the abyssal Norwegian Sea. While the Jan However, the consequences of deep-sea even within the same vent field. Altogether host an endemic and highly specialized fauna, Mayen Vent Fields has been extensively mining on both the benthic and pelagic com­ our results illustrate the importance of particularly at the deep parts of the Knipovich sampled, less effort has been put into sites munities­ are not well known. There­fore we systematic comparative studies of spatially Ridge and Loki’s Castle. further north along AMOR. To enable us to are focusing on building a tho­rough under­ closely connected niches in order to fully Last year field work was devoted testing finalize our fauna inventory, re-sampling of standing of the ecosys­ tem­ functioning,­ as well understand the geomicrobiology of hydro­ a prototype of the new bio-suction sampler the Loki´s Castle Vent Field was therefore the as its resilience and potential for recovery after thermal microbial ecosystems. ▪ designed for use with the ROV Aegir 6000. main aim for the 2015 ROV test-cruise. mineral extraction in these vent systems. The Already in the first test dive, the new sampler Successful sampling of Loki’s Castle in novelty and high degree of endemism of the proved that it will make a valuable contribu­ combination with the discovery of the new vent fauna in the Norwegian- and Greenland tion to biological sampling, as it allows us to vent field, has enabled us to take a major step Seas call for more in depth, base-line studies One of the new isolates CGB has study vent sites in more detail due to its forward in our work. The new vent field and suggest the use of a precautionary app­ characterised: Hypnocyclicus five-chamber revolving­ system; this means 5 provides another study area in the deeper part roach in future manage­ ment­ of these unique thermotrophusin pictured here in its more dormant state, “sleeping” in a ring. times as many sampling oppor­tunities per of AMOR and serves as a valuable link between deep-sea habitats. ▪

16 17 •

EARTH SYSTEM ORGANISATION EVOLUTION

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE BOARD

CENTRE DIRECTOR

SECRETARIAT LEADER GROUP LEADER FORUM

The Centre for Geobiology (CGB) is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Bergen (UiB) and is hosted by the Department of Biology and the Department of Earth Science.

Although initially organised around research themes, the Centre since has adopted a matrix model approach that facilitates and promotes the inter- and multi-disciplinarity necessary to attain the Centre’s research goals. In this model the thematic leaders (leader group) are responsible for developing the research themes by initiating new and overseeing existing projects. It allows young, early-stage researchers to acquire leadership training as individual project leaders (leader forum).

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chris German Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA Cindy Van Dover Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA John Parkes School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, UK The fossil whale Dorudon atrox from the Frances Westall Le Centre de Biophysique Moleculaire, With the first new team As an example, novel answers have been found The international collaboration with Wadi-Al-Hitan, the “Valley of the Whales”, members, David Diego to a long-standing question: did climate changes researchers at Bristol and Leeds continues, with a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Egypt. It CNRS, Orléans, France play a causal role in the macroevolution of a new analysis of the intricate relation­ship lived around 40 million years ago, during a (postdoc) and Kristian time when the Earth was descending from planktonic foraminifera, a microfossil group of between global fossil and sedimentary­ rock its usual, warm “greenhouse” state into a THE GOVERNING BOARD Agasøster Haaga (PhD), profound importance to the Earth sciences, over records, currently in preparation for Biology cool, “icehouse”, culminating in the recent glaciations during which humans evolved. Helge K. Dahle (chairman) Dean of The Faculty of Mathematics arriving in the spring of 2015, the last 65 million years? In an innovative study Letters. Ongoing work on Quaternary climate The Earth System Evolution theme aims at that fundament­ ally­ challenges the current ap- system interactions was presented­ at the 2015 elucidating the linkages between long-term and Natural Sciences, UiB this theme is now actively climatic and biological evolution during this exploring new methods for proach to documenting the history of life, three International Union of Quaternary Research dramatic period of Earth’s history. Gunn Mangerud Head of Department of Earth Science conceptually very different analyses provide meeting in Japan. This work involves re­ detecting complex interactions Anders Goksøyr Head of Department of Biology dynamical evidence for the causal role of climate searchers at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Heidi Espedal Acting Director of from geological data, gaining changes in the global proliferation of foraminif- Research, and will be strengthened­ in the the Department of Research Management new fundamental­ insights into era. This work was done over the past year in following years with a dedicated researcher to Bjarte Hannisdal Employee representative collaboration with colleagues at the University be hired in 2016 funded by the Bergen Research Earth system interactions­ Department of Earth Science across time scales. of Oslo, was presented at the 2015 Annual Meet- Foundation (PI Hannisdal). Finally, this theme coupling between geochemical energy ing of the Geological Society of America, and a will become more closely integrated with other ­landscapes and microbial­ ecosystems in Runar Stokke Employee representative Department of Biology preprint is available at: http://biorxiv.org/­ core activities at CGB through a new PhD deep-marine sediments and hydrothermal content/early/2016/03/15/043729. project starting in 2016 aimed at analysing the systems. ▪

18 19 which was isolated from injection water, and Irene Roalkvam presented her work on showed how the Arcobacter strain could play biocorrosion in a couple of workshops; a role in biocorrosion. Conference EMBO in Denmark (where her poster won a participants presented­ work in both basic prize) and the ISMOS 5 conference in studies and industrial applications of Stavanger. She felt that being able to microbiology related to sulphur metabolism. exchange ideas between academic and more Roalkvam commented that discussions with applied researchers was a valuable experience. fellow participants working in biocorrosion had been fruitful and were a highlight of the CGB Participates in workshop. Political and Policy Arenas Marques represented CGB and deep sea CGB Researchers in Advisory Roles research at the recent opening of UiB’s new Deep sea resources, both biological and office in Brussels. The office will enable UiB, geological, are attracting increasing interest and the other two office partners, NTNU and as advances in technology are making them SINTEFF, to be more involved in EU research more accessible. Scientists around the world funding and decision-making activities. The are expressing concern that the exploitation Deep Sea is one of UiB’s strategic interest areas. of this relatively unexplored frontier takes Rolf Birger Pedersen and Eoghan Reeves OUTREACH place in a responsible and sustainable way. represented CGB / UiB at the annual Trans­ Solid scientific data, such as that being atlantic Science Week (TSW) in Boston, to generated at CGB, is needed to serve as a promote enhanced cooperation between foundation for establishing management and Canadian, American, and Norwegian stake­ monitoring guidelines. A number of CGB holders in research, innovation, and higher researchers have been asked to contribute education. This year’s theme was “Blue expertise at various international meetings Futures”. The TSW is an arena where different held in 2015. This is an important part of UiB stakeholders­ can meet with the purpose of and CGB’s mandate – to disseminate know­ developing­ long-term collaborations or ledge beyond the academic community. partnerships. Here are some examples: September 2015, the Norwegian govern­ Filipa Marques represented CGB/UiB at ment announced a marine master plan to Cleantech Summit 2015, a global technology gather the major marine research environ­ summit in Finland. Marques was invited to ments in a cluster in Bergen, along with present information on issues relating to partners from the marine industries, to create CGB International Workshop geology and biology – through the current Bergen’s National Science Week. They pres­ that live in hostile environments have deep sea resource exploitation. She and Rolf a collaboration that would have international on Deep Sea Resources status of global policies and the need for ented their work on enzyme hunting. The evolved interesting enzymes to enable them Birger Pedersen represented CGB/UiB at an impact. UiB’s new strategy document for The deep sea is one of Earth’s final frontiers. informed legislation, to the need for a more goal is to find new enzymes that will help to cope with the stresses of their environment. official meeting in Portugal, hosted by the 2016-2022 is entitled, “Ocean, Life, Society”, Optimal and sustainable exploitation is only informed public, the workshop provided industry to provide better and more efficient Microorganisms isolated from relatively Norwegian Embassy, where the management and its first paragraph underlines its commit­ possible through collaborative efforts by extensive opportunities for global experts to products that are also less wasteful and less unexplored, inaccessible, extreme environ­ of marine resources was on the agenda. ment to geobiological deep sea research. CGB research and industry. CGB is contribu­ ­ting to cross disciplinary boundaries, share experi­ polluting, and which will promote the bio- ments such as those found in CGB’s newly Marques underlines the importance of and the continuation of its work in a new this effort. May 2015, over 70 participants ences and latest research results. economy of the future. For example, the discovered deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields building bridges between institutions and Deep Sea Research Centre will help UiB play from 14 different countries gathered in Bergen enzymes they are purifying can be used to along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge, may well countries. Norway and Portugal have enjoyed an active role in such a cluster. ▪ to consider “From Seafloor Hydro­thermal CGB at Norway’s National Science Week convert waste from activities such as harbour enzymes that have never been a long history of marine collaboration, from Systems to the Sustainable Exploitation of (“Forskningsdagene”) aquaculture, forestry and other industries to observed before. Such enzymes might be of research vessels to fisheries, and now to deep Massive Sulfide Deposits: Myths and Realities One of the critical tasks of institutions of food, feed, bio-fuel, bio-gas, plastics, interest for industrial processes occurring sea resources. of the Deep Sea”. The workshop­ was led by higher learning and research is to com­muni­ medicines, chemicals and other valuable under relatively extreme conditions. Industry leaders in the Sogn and Fjordane CGB Associate Professor Filipa Marques. cate their results to the general public; to goods. Region of Norway hosted a seminar aimed at The 3-day event began with a series of 4 engage with the general public. The Research During National Science Week, CGB CGB researcher receives stimulating long-term growth in the region. open lectures that provided important Council of Norway has developed an researchers also presented their recent work EMBO Workshop poster award Academic and industrial leaders were invited background information including the important vehicle for this activity, held every successfully isolating, characterising and Irene Roalkvam’s poster presented the bio­ to give presentations. Ingeborg Økland history of deep sea exploration since the year: National Science Week. sequencing 5 new isolates. The hope is that corrosion potential of a nitrate reducing represented CGB/UiB. Her presentation dealt exciting discovery of the first hydrothermal Led by Runar Stokke, CGB researchers these newly identified microorganisms will Arcobacter species. It detailed the metabolic with some of the applied spin-off potentials vents in the 1970s. From basic science – both interacted with students and public during contain unique enzymes. Microorganisms and genomic characteristics of the microbe, resulting from CGB’s deep sea research.

20 21 RESEARCH PROJECTS 2015

PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE RESEARCH COUNCIL OF NORWAY INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE EUROPEAN COMISSION (EU)

DURATION TITLE LEADER*/PI**/CO-PI*** DURATION TITLE COORDINATOR*/ PI**/ PROGRAMME CO-PI***

2009–2017 Subsurface CO2 storage – Critical Elements and Rolf Birger Pedersen**, 2011–2015 Sub-seabed CO2 Storage: Rolf Birger Pedersen** FP7 Superior Strategy (FME SUCCESS) Ingunn H. Thorseth*** Impact on Marine Ecosystems (ECO2) Ingunn H. Thorseth*** FMEINFRA 2014–2017 Managing Impacts of Deep-seA reSource exploitation Rolf Birger Pedersen** FP7 2010–2015 Develop acoustics for monitoring of leakage from Rolf Birger Pedersen* (MIDAS) Ingunn H. Thorseth*** sub bottom CO disposals (AKUGASS) 2 RFFVEST 2015–2018 Industrial Applications of Marine Enzymes (INMARE) Ida Helene Steen ** H2020 2011–2016 Mining of Norwegian biogoldmine (BioGoldMine) Ida Helene Steen* BIOTEK2021

2011–2015 Biological methane oxidation by methanotrophic Nils-Kåre Birkeland* verrucomicrobia under hot and acidic conditions FRIMEDBIO PROJECTS FUNDED BY OTHER SOURCES (PUBLIC AND PRIVATE)

2012–2017 Enzyme development for Norwegian biomass Ida Helene Steen** DURATION TITLE LEADER*/PARTNER** – mining Norwegian biodiversity for seizing Norwegian BIOTEK2021 opportunities in the bio-based economy (NorZymeD) 2011–2015 Deep-water sponges of Hans Tore Rapp* the Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian Seas Det Norske Videnskapsakademi 2013–2016 Vulnerable habitats and species in petroleum resource Hans Tore Rapp** management: impact of sediment exposure on sponge Friederike Hoffmann** grounds (SedExSponge) 2011–2016 The Emergence of Life on Earth 3+ billion years ago Nicola McLoughlin* HAVKYST UiB/Bergen Forskningsstiftelse 2013–2015 Microorganisms in the arctic: major drivers of Lise Øvreås* biogeochemical cycles and climate change POLARPROG 2012–2015 Better handling of microbial induced corrosion Ida Helene Steen* during operation VISTA 2013–2015 Novel thermostable enzymes for industrial biotechnology Nils-Kåre Birkeland* (THERMOGENE) BIOTEK2021 2012–2016 Taxonomy and distribution of sponges (Porifera) Hans Tore Rapp* in Norwegian waters NTNU/Artsdatabanken 2014–2016 Norwegian Marine Robotics Facility – Remotely Operated Rolf Birger Pedersen* Vehicle for Deep Marine Research (NORMAR) FORINFRA 2012–2016 Preparing for sub-sea storage of CO2: Baseline gathering Rolf Birger Pedersen**

and monitoring for the North Sea (CO2 – Base) CLIMIT/GASSNOVA 2014–2017 Earth System Interactions and Information Transfer (ESIIF) Bjarte Hannisdal* FRINATEK 2014–2017 Earth System Interactions and Information Transfer (ESIIF) Bjarte Hannisdal* UiB/Bergen Forskningsstiftelse

2015–2016 Extremophilic Archaea in Bulgarian geothermal Nils-Kåre Birkeland** environments (BG09) EEA Scholarships Fund

22 23 •

STAFF FUNDING AND EXPENSES

SCIENTISTS POST-DOCS PHDS TECHNICIANS Bach, Wolfgang Baumberger, Tamara Alvizu, Adriana Almelid, Hildegunn Birkeland, Nils Kåre Castro, David Diego Arsin, Hasan Daae, Frida Lise Dahle, Håkon Jørgensen, Steffen L. Denny, Alden Dundas, Siv Hjorth Grosch, Eugene Meyer, Romain Eilertsen, Mari H. Fedøy, Anita-Elin Hamelin, Cedric Olsen, Bernt Rydland Flesland, Kristin Roumejon, Stephan G. Hannisdal, Bjarte Qu, Yuangao Haaga, Kristian Agasøster Ronen, Yuval Hoffmann, Friederike Roalkvam, Irene Hestetun, Jon Thomassen Steinsbu, Bjørn Olav Marques, Filipa Roerdink, Desiree Johannessen, Karen Torkildsen, Marthe McLoughlin, Nicola Rooks, Christine Landschulze, Karin Tøpper, Birthe Pedersen, Rolf Birger Xavier, Joana Le Moine Bauer, Sven Tumyr, Ole Rapp, Hans Tore Økland, Ingeborg Elisabet Pedersen, Leif Erik Vågenes, Stig Reeves, Eoghan Savchuk, Oles Reigstad, Laila Johanne Schaen, Adam ADMINISTRATION Slama, Jiri Schouw, Anders Bartle, Elinor Steen, Ida Helene Stensland, Anne Hesthammer, Steinar Stokke, Runar Van der Roost, Jan Lappegård, Heidi Thorseth, Ingunn H. Wissuwa, Juliane Olesin, Emily Øvreås, Lise Zhao, Rui

PERSONNEL SUMMARY

CATEGORY PERSON-YEARS FOREIGNERS (%) WOMEN (%) Scientists 11.3 44 39 Post-docs 9.8 64 55 PhDs 15.1 56 44 Technicians 4.6 18 55 Administration 1.9 50 75 Total 42.6

FUNDING (1000 NOK) EXPENSES (1000 NOK) PERSONNEL University of Bergen 22 299 Salaries and indirect costs 23 932 6 % 50 % 44 % Research Council of Norway 9 220 Research Equipment 371 Grand Total 31 519 Other cost 5 296 ▪ Scientists 18 % 29 % External research services 1 920 ▪ Post-docs 18 % FOREIGNERS 47 % OF TOTAL OTHER PROJECT FUNDING (1000 NOK) Grand Total 31 519 ▪ PhDs PERSONNEL 64 % International projects 984 ▪ Technicians 56 % Other Research Council projects 30 405 % EXPENSES ▪ Administration Other Public Funding 710 Private Funding 1 191 29 % 18 % 6 % 39 % Total 33 290 ▪ Salaries and indirect 75 % 17 % costs Research equipment 1 % ▪ WOMAN 55 % 48 % OF TOTAL ▪ Other costs 76 % ▪ External research services 55 % 44 %

24 25 •

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 2015

In 2015 CGB researchers have produced more than 49 scientific publications and over 61 scientific presentations. Below is a list of some selected publications.

1. Bjerga, Anders; Konopasek, Jiri; Pedersen, Rolf B.. Talc-carbonate alteration of 13. Qu, Yuangao; Engdahl, Anders; Shixing, Zhu; Vajda, Vivi; McLoughlin, ultramafic rocks within the Leka Ophiolite Complex, Central Norway. Nicola. Ultrastructural Heterogeneity of Carbonaceous Material in Ancient Lithos 2015; Volume 227. p.21–36 Cherts: Investigating Biosignature Origin and Preservation. Astrobiology 2015; Volume 15.(10) p.825–842 2. Cárdenas, Paco A.; Rapp, Hans Tore. Demosponges from the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge shed more light on the diversity and biogeography of North 14. Rapp, Hans Tore. A monograph of the calcareous sponges (Porifera, Calcarea) Atlantic deep-sea sponges. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United of Greenland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2015; Kingdom 2015; Volume 95.(7) p.1475–1516 Volume 95.(7) p.1395–1459

3. Dahle, Håkon; Økland, Ingeborg Elisabet; Thorseth, Ingunn Hindenes; 15. Roalkvam, Irene; Bredy, Florian; Baumberger, Tamara; Pedersen, Rolf B.; Pedersen, Rolf B.; Steen, Ida Helene. Energy landscapes shape microbial Steen, Ida Helene. Hypnocyclicus thermotrophus gen. nov. sp. nov. isolated from communities in hydrothermal systems on the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge. a microbial mat situated in a hydrothermal vent field. International Journal of The ISME Journal 2015; Volume 9.(7) p.1593–1606 Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2015; Volume 65. p.4521–4525

4. D’Hondt, Steven; Inagaki, Fumio; Zarikian, Carlos; Abrams, Lewis J.; Dubois, 16. Roalkvam, Irene; Drønen, Karine; Stokke, Runar; Daae, Frida Lise; Dahle, Nathalie; Engelhardt, Tim; Evans, Helen; Ferdelman, Timothy; Gribsholt, Håkon; Steen, Ida Helene. Physiological and genomic characterization Britta; Harris, Robert N.; Hoppie, Bryce W.; Hyun, Jung-Ho; Kallmeyer, of Arcobacter anaerophilus IR-1 reveals new metabolic features in Jens; Kim, Jinwook; Lynch, Jill E.; McKinley, Claire C.; Mitsunobu, Satoshi; Epsilonproteobacteria. Frontiers in Microbiology 2015; Volume 6. Morono, Yuki; Murray, Richard W.; Pockalny, Robert; Sauvage, Justine; Shimono, Takaya; Shiraishi, Fumito; Smith, David C.; Smith-Duque, 17. Roerdink, Desiree; van den Boorn, Sander H.J.M.; Geilert, Sonja; Vroon, Christopher E.; Spivack, Arthur J.; Steinsbu, Bjørn Olav; Suzuki, Yohey; Pieter Z.; van Bergen, Manfred J.. Experimental constraints on kinetic and Szpak, Michal; Toffin, Laurent; Uramoto, Goichiro; Yamaguchi, Yasuhiko T.; equilibrium silicon isotope fractionation during the formation of non-biogenic Chemical Geology Zhang, Guo-liang; Zhang, Xiao-Hua; Ziebis, Wiebke. Presence of oxygen and chert deposits. 2015; Volume 402. p.40–51 aerobic communities from sea floor to basement in deep-sea sediments. 18. Slama, Jiri; Pedersen, Rolf B.. Zircon provenance of SW caledonian phyllites Nature Geoscience 2015; Volume 8.(4) p.299–304 reveals a distant timanian sediment source. Journal of the Geological Society 2015; 5. Gjerløw, Eirik; Höskuldsson, Ármann; Pedersen, Rolf B.. The 1732 Surtseyan Volume 172.(4) p.465–478 eruption of Eggøya, Jan Mayen, North Atlantic: deposits, distribution, chemistry 19. Smieja-Król, Beata; Janeczek, Janusz; Bauerek, Arkadiusz; Thorseth, and chronology. Bulletin of Volcanology 2015; Volume 77:14.(2) Ingunn Hindenes. The role of authigenic sulfides in immobilization 6. Grosch, Eugene Gerald; Hazen, Robert M.. Microbes, Mineral Evolution, and of potentially toxic metals in the Bagno Bory wetland, southern Poland. the Rise of Microcontinents – Origin and Coevolution of Life with Early Earth. Environmental science and pollution research international 2015; Volume 22.(20) Astrobiology 2015; Volume 15.(10) p.922–939 p.15495–15505

7. Hestetun, Jon Thomassen; Fourt, Maïa; Vacelet, Jean; Boury-Esnault, Nicole; 20. Spang, Anja; Saw, Jimmy H.; Jørgensen, Steffen Leth; Zaremba-Niedzwiedzka, Rapp, Hans Tore. Cladorhizidae (Porifera, Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) Katarzyna; Martinj, Joran; Lind, Anders E.; van Eijk, Roel; Schleper, of the deep Atlantic collected during Ifremer cruises, with a biogeographic Christa Maria; Guy, Lionel; Ettema, Thijs J.G.. Complex archaea that overview of the Atlantic species. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the bridge the gap between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Nature 2015; United Kingdom 2015; Volume 95.(7) p.1311–1342 Volume 521.(7551) p.173–179

8. Hocking, William Peter; Roalkvam, Irene; Magnussen, Carina; Stokke, 21. Staudigel, Hubert; Furnes, Harald; DeWit, Maarten. Paleoarchean trace Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Runar; Steen, Ida Helene. Assessment of the carbon monoxide metabolism of fossils in altered volcanic glass. the hyperthermophilic sulfate-reducing archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus VC-16 of the United States of America 2015; Volume 112.(22) p.6892–6897 by comparative transcriptome analyses. Archaea 2015; Volume 2015:235384. 22. Stokke, Runar; Dahle, Håkon; Roalkvam, Irene; Wissuwa, Juliane; 9. Montinaro, Alice; Strauss, Harald; Mason, Paul; Roerdink, Desiree; Munker, Daae, Frida Lise; Tooming-Klunderud, Ave; Thorseth, Ingunn Hindenes; Carsten; Schwarz-Schampera, Ulrich; Arndt, Nicholas T; Farquhar, James; Pedersen, Rolf B.; Steen, Ida Helene. Functional interactions among filamentous Beukes, Nicolas J; Gutzmer, Jens; Peters, Marc. Paleoarchean sulfur cycling: Epsilonproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent biofilm. Multiple sulfur isotope constraints from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, Environmental Microbiology 2015; Volume 17.(10) p.4063–4077 South Africa. Precambrian Research 2015; Volume 267. p.311–322 23. Türke, Andreas; Nakamura, Kentaro; Bach, Wolfgang. Palagonitization of 10. Nesbø, Camilla Lothe; Swithers, Kirsten S.; Dahle, Håkon; Haverkamp, basalt glass in the flanks of mid-ocean ridges: implications for the bioenergetics Astrobiology Thomas Hendricus Augustus; Birkeland, Nils-Kåre; Sokolova, Tatiana; of oceanic intracrustal ecosystems. 2015; Volume 15.(10) p.793–803 Kublanov, Ilya; Zhaxybayeva, Olga. Evidence for extensive gene flow and 24. Wanless, Virginia Dorsey; Shaw, Alison M.; Behn, Mark D.; Soule, Thermotoga subpopulations in subsurface and marine environments. Samuel Adam; Escartin, Javier; Hamelin, Cedric. Magmatic plumbing at PHOTO CREDITS The ISME Journal 2015; Volume 9.(7) p.1532–1542 Lucky Strike volcano based on olivine-hosted melt inclusion compositions. Frida Lise Daae Shanan E. Peters (UW Madison) Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 2015; Volume 16.(1) p.126–174 Thank you to the generous and talented photographers and 11. Olsen, Bernt Rydland; Troedsson, Christofer; Hadziavdic, Kenan; Pedersen, researchers who have allowed us to use their photos and Anita-Elin Fedøy Yuangao Qu Rolf B.; Rapp, Hans Tore. The influence of vent systems on pelagic eukaryotic 25. Xavier, Joana R.; Cárdenas, Paco A.; Cristobo, Javier; van Soest, Rob; illustrations in the 2015 Annual Report and in our other Cedric Hamelin Hans Tore Rapp micro-organism composition in the Nordic Seas. Polar Biology 2015; Rapp, Hans Tore. Systematics and biodiversity of deep-sea sponges of Volume 38.(4) p.547–558 the Atlanto-Mediterranean region. Journal of the Marine Biological Association outreach materials. The photos in this report may not be Ana Filipa Marques Irene Roalkvam of the United Kingdom

12. Pedersen, Leif-Erik Rydland; McLoughlin, Nicola; Vullum, Per Erik; Thorseth, 2015; Volume 95.(7) p.1285–1286 copied or reproduced in any form without the permission Bernt Rydland Olsen Ingunn H. Thorseth

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Rolf Birger Pedersen Ingeborg Elisabet Økland R a Abiotic and candidate biotic micro-alteration textures in s Ingunn Hindenes. E

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I M 1 subseafloor basaltic glass: A high-resolution in-situ textural and geochemical 24 investigation. Chemical Geology 2015; Volume 410. p.124–137

26 27 Norway NO-5020 BERGEN Postboks 7803 Centre forGeobiology

Established by the Research Council of Norway

BODONI