Evolution and ecology of Cold Seep Structures in the Gulf of Cadiz, NE Atlantic: Interaction between the Geosphere and the Biosphere

The overall goal of the proposed project ?Evolution and Ecology of Cold Seep Structures in the Gulf of Cadiz, NE Atlantic: Interaction between the Biosphere and the Geosphere? is to perform an integrated collaborative study between two Russian and two Dutch scientific institutions. The proposed cooperation is in one of the less known domains of geobiology concerning links between the Geosphere and the Biosphere in the ocean. The target area, the Gulf of Cadiz, is known as an active mud volcanic province: a real natural laboratory for studying and understanding the coupling processes. Gas hydrates, diverse chemosynthetic symbionts, methane-related carbonates, "graveyards" of carbonate chimneys, cold-water coral reef systems/lithoherms have been discovered, documented, sampled and described during five international research cruises to the region in the period between 1999 and 2004. Under the guidance of Prof.Dr.Ivanov (Geological Faculty, Moscow State University, Russia), these expeditions have been organized and curried out as a part of the UNESCO/IOC ?Training Through Research? (TTR) programme. Results from the expeditions show the relation between the tectonic evolution of the area, the development of mud volcanoes ? direct consequence of (hydrocarbon) seepage drilling ? and sustainable development of geobioecosystems in seepage environments. With the purpose of revelation of the biosphere-geosphere coupling role of geofluids in geological past and present of the Gulf of Cadiz, we aim to develop a framework of integrated geological, geophysical, sedimentological, biogeochemical, and molecular sciences that would address some of fundamental aspects of the Life System. Relations between methane-rich fluids, formation of deep-water specific environments and development of chemosynthetic ecosystems are on the frontier of geobiology and in the focus of scientific interests of many leading marine research centers in Europe and elsewhere. The existence of a long-term collaboration in this field between the Geological Faculty of Moscow State University (Prof. Dr. M.K.Ivanov) and highly qualified scientific Departments of the St.-Petersburg-based Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ocean ?VNIIOkeangeologia? (Dr. V.Soloviev, Russia), on one side, and MSU and the Royal NIOZ on the other (Prof. Dr. T.C.E. van Weering and Prof. Dr. J.S. Sinninghe Damsté, the Netherlands) has proven to be essential for both research and training purposes and already yielded in publishing a wealth of research articles, including those written by students and young researchers. Within the project, MSU, NIOZ and VNIIOkeangeologia will become directly linked. The extension of this partnership to the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam (Dr. H.B.Vonhof and Dr.G.Ganssen) will accomplish a new suite of biogeochemical studies within the project that are critical for understanding the relation between the Geosphere and the Biosphere in the Gulf of Cadiz. Via sharing scientific experiences and expertise with young Russian and Dutch scientists and students, the research leaders and staff of the involved organizations will assist them to obtain high calibre qualification in geobiological science. The advancement of knowledge and subsequent joint presentations at international conferences and publications in peer review journals will prove mutual benefit of the cooperation.