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Originally Posted by Otter
Well, there isn't that much going on in *most* of the deep ocean. The really cool bits are around the deep sea vents; that's where Alvin generally went (I *think* it's retired, but I'm not sure). The thought of life that is not dependent on the sun gives me shivers. I'd like to see it.
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Nope, the Alvin hasn't been retired yet. Though apparently there was a BBC article that said otherwise in 2004. Then again, the HOV replacement is suppose to be delivered sometime this year so I could be wrong. Anyway, the last update was June 2nd so it seems the Alivin has been busy so far.
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In mid-October Atlantis steamed south to the Guaymas Basin and EPR vent sites where Alvin was used to examine protistan abundance, diversity and activity and to study the physiology and molecular ecology of thermophilic nitrate-reducing microorganisms. Outreach programs such as Extreme 2000 and Student Experiments at Sea were supported during this cruise. Throughout November Alvin continued operations at the EPR studying oceanographic and topographic influences on dispersal of hydrothermal vent species. In December Alvin dove on the EPR looking at temporal variations in hydrothermal fluid chemistry. Alvin continued working at the EPR into early 2008, with a microbiological and biogeochemistry study of filamentous-sulfur producing bacteria scheduled. This final cruise of the year installed in-situ chemical sensors for monitoring the chemistry of hydrothermal vent fluids and supported the Dive and Discover education and outreach program.
To be continued!
Originally published: December 1, 2005
Last updated: June 2, 2008
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History of Alvin : Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution