| NSF Org: |
OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | June 23, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 23, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 2129431 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Brian Midson
bmidson@nsf.gov (703)292-8145 OCE Division Of Ocean Sciences GEO Directorate for Geosciences |
| Start Date: | July 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | June 30, 2023 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $299,306.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $299,306.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
75 LOWER COLLEGE RD RM 103 KINGSTON RI US 02881-1974 (401)874-2635 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
South Ferry Rd Narragansett RI US 02882-1197 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | SUBMERSIBLE SUPPORT |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.050 |
ABSTRACT
This project will support an Alvin Science Verification Expedition to conduct dives to abyssal depths, down to 6500m, in the Puerto Rico Trench and at the Mid-Cayman Rise following completion of the major overhaul and upgrade.
The science verification expedition will test and document the improved and new HOV Alvin systems and operations at increased depths down to 6500m, made possible by the Alvin Upgrade. Science verification activities will be guided by input from the community workshop (Summer 2020) on priorities in abyssal research for the coming decade.
The project will offer early career scientists an opportunity to observe and participate in an HOV Alvin expedition (most likely for the first time), providing critical training to advance their research careers through the use of this national asset.
The project will engage with K-12 students and researchers in nations and territories adjacent to work sites to ensure that indigenous populations can participate in and benefit from the research conducted. High-bandwidth ship-to-shore communications will be critical to this effort as COVID restrictions will prevent in-person participation by these scientists and students and will prevent the science party from being ashore in these nations and territories.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
This project sought to test and validate the science capabilities of the newly upgraded Alvin. The vehicles new depth rating of 6500m extends its capability to abyssal and hadal depths and ensures its viability for more than 97% of the world's seafloor. After this major upgrade we conducted dives in the Puerto Rico Trench and at the Mid Cayman Spreading Center to test the navigation, operational concepts, data and imaging systems, payload integration, and general science capabilities. Our series of dives led to the production of a verification report that included both reccomendations for modifications to the systems and/or their operation as well as guides for users to ensure best use of the vehicle and its systems. Most dives reached depths greater than 4500m (the previous depth limit of the vehicle).
In addition, this project aimed to train early career scientists in the use of the human-occupied submersible. Eleven first-time Alvin divers were included in the expedition and participated in expeditionary planning, data quality control, vehicle system evaluation and documentation, and post-dive assessments. These scientists are future users of the vehicle system and this exposure will help them envision how the vehicle can be used for their science applications.
Initial results of the cruise were shared through presentations at national and international meetings and in a manuscript in review that described the taxonomy and behavior of a novel deep-sea isopod that feeds on sargassum that falls to the ocean floor. Other discoveries include the deepest living calcareous diatom and the deepest young volcanic eruption documented.
Last Modified: 04/01/2024
Modified by: Samuel A Soule
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