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GSA 2016. Session Geomicrobiology & Hydrology of Lava Tube Caves
From: Jen Blank <Jennifer.G.Blank@xxxxxxxx>GSA 2016. Session Geomicrobiology & Hydrology of Lava Tube Caves
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Dear Colleagues,
Please consider submitting your GSA Abstract to our Session:
(Deadline: July 12)
Session ID#:
40537
Session ID#:
Title:
T50. Geomicrobiology
and Hydrology of Lava Tube CavesSession Type:
Oral
Sponsor(s):
GSA Geobiology &
Geomicrobiology Division; GSA Hydrogeology Division; GSA
Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division
Rationale:
Lava
tubes are ubiquitous features most commonly associated with
basaltic pahoehoe flows. They form during a volcanic eruption when
lava drains beneath a hardened (chilled) surface crust, resulting
in shallow, gently sloping caves with diameters up to 10s of
meters and extending up to 10s of km in length. Surface water
percolates into the caves from fractures in the cave walls and
ceilings, creating humid, temperate environments that experience
little seasonal variation. Many lava tubes have been mapped by
cavers and explorers. More recently, systematic studies have
revealed striking microbial diversity among caves with similar
ages and provenance. Investigations of biomarkers such as lipids
are helping to discriminate community activity and make- up;
specifically, we can now identify who’s doing what and who’s
eating whom. We can use chemical and isotopic tracers to calculate
an energy budget available to support life in these dark
environments as well as track the source of nutrients and water
coming into the caves. Though lava tubes are relatively
short-lived geologic phenomena, because they eventually collapse
or are filled with debris, they are probably a feature that has
been forming over much of Earth’s history. Lava tube skylights
have been discovered on the moon and Mars and are a prime site of
interest for astrobiologists, because they might be one of the
most likely places that preserve evidence of life or water or ice. Description:
We
seek contributions about the mineralogy, hydrogeology, and
microbiology of lava tube caves, especially studies of microbial
diversity, biomarkers, and assessment of energy available to
support life there and in lava tube caves on other planets.
Complementary studies focused on mine and karst environments are
welcome. Comments:
Of
interest to sessions on: Low-T Geochemistry; Carbonate
Geochemistry; Biogeochemistry; Hydrology; Large Igneous
Provenances (Petrology & Geochemistry); Planetary Geology;
AstrobiologySincerely,
Session Co-conveners:
Jennifer Blank (NASA Ames | Blue Marble Space) jennifer.g.blank@xxxxxxxx
Richard Léveillé (McGill U) richard.leveille@xxxxxxxxx
Saugata Datta (Kansas State U) sdatta@xxxxxxx
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