Deep-Sea Research

Exploring life in oceanic trenches

While the surface of the Earth has been mapped and its ecosystems explored in great detail, the deep sea remains virtually unexplored due to remoteness and extreme conditions. Developing and using a novel in situ technology, we discovered that, in particular, the hadal trenches—deeper than 6000m—are a hotspot for biological activity despite the long distance from the productive surface ocean. We are exploring the diversity and activity of life in the seafloor exposed to extremely high hydrostatic pressure, low temperatures and complete darkness. Surprisingly, pollutants can be traced into these remote environments, which implies that this mare incognitum is a closely integrated part of the Earth system and in several ways affected by anthropogenic impacts.

PERSONNEL (A-Z)

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• Anni GLUD, Laboratory technician (in situ tech)

• Ronnie N. GLUD, Professor (in situ tech, transport, biogeochemistry, high-pressure studies, pollutants)

• Belen FRANCO, Ph.D. Student (copepods and sinking carcasses)

• Morten ELSNER KIELER, Engineering Assistant, Lab Technician,  (pressure tanks)

• Mathias MIDDELBOE, Adjunct Professor (viral genomics) 

• Clemens SCHAUBERGER, Postdoc (microbiology, viral genomics)

• Peter STIEF, Associate Professor (marine snow, biogeochemistry, high-pressure studies)

• Bo THAMDRUP, Professor (microbiology, biogeochemistry)

• Sachia TRAVING, Postdoc (extracellular enzymes, marine microbial ecology)

Image rights: Ronnie Glud