NSF Org:	OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences
Recipient:	INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Initial Amendment Date:	March 17, 2006
Latest Amendment Date:	December 5, 2008
Award Number:	0550401
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	Brian Midson bmidson@nsf.gov  (703)292-8145 OCE  Division Of Ocean Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	February 1, 2007
End Date:	January 31, 2010 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$0.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$130,715.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2006 = $82,605.00 FY 2007 = $48,110.00
History of Investigator:	Anthony Rathburn (Principal Investigator) arathburn@csub.edu
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Indiana State University 200 N 7TH ST TERRE HAUTE IN  US  47809-1902 (812)237-3088
Sponsor Congressional District:	08
Primary Place of Performance:	Indiana State University 200 N 7TH ST TERRE HAUTE IN  US  47809-1902
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	08
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	WBLRF8Z4BEF6
Parent UEI:	L4VAFJXYCK94
NSF Program(s):	Marine Geology and Geophysics
Primary Program Source:	app-0106  app-0107
Program Reference Code(s):	0000, OTHR
Program Element Code(s):	162000
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

Under this award the PIs will examine environments with "extreme" chemical gradients that accentuate chemical differences between biogenic carbonate and ambient conditions as well as those of "normal" deep-sea conditions. Extreme isotopic gradients present at cold methane seeps provide an ideal habitat to examine the effects of carbon isotopic disequilibrium (up to 40 0/00), between foraminiferal calcite and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of ambient water. Recent work suggests that biological factors ("vital effects") and/or ambient isotopic compositions influence carbon isotopic signatures of foraminiferal calcite. Consequently, the proposed work will test the following hypotheses: 1) Infaunal foraminifera cluster in microhabitats within the sediments; 2) Food type influences foraminiferal carbon isotope values; 3) The presence of symbionts is variable within and between species, and this variability is reflected in carbon isotopic signatures. The work should provide insight to the important question of what controls the carbon isotopic composition of benthic foraminiferal tests (shells)? Answers to this question will be crucial for paleoenvironmental reconstructions in both seep and non-seep environments. The funds will also be used to include community outreach (local school presentations; web site development) and interdisciplinary, hands-on training of several future scientists at undergraduate, graduate, and post-doc levels, including under-represented groups.

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