The European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD) offers you the unique opportunity to sail on Expedition 393 on-board the JOIDES Resolution in the framework of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), an international research program for drilling at sea.

South Atlantic Transect Expeditions 390 and 393 (based on IODP Proposals 853-Full2 and 853-Add) are a multidisciplinary and joint scientific ocean drilling project that aims to recover complete sedimentary sections and ~200 m of oceanic crust along a crustal age transect at ~31°S across the South Atlantic Ocean to: (1) investigate the history of low-temperature hydrothermal interactions between the ageing ocean crust and the evolving South Atlantic Ocean; (2) quantify past hydrothermal contributions to global geochemical cycles; (3) investigate sediment and basement-hosted microbial community variation with substrate composition and age in the low energy South Atlantic Gyre subseafloor biosphere; and (4) investigate the responses of Atlantic Ocean circulation patterns and the Earth’s climate system to rapid climate change, including elevated CO2 during the Cenozoic.

The South Atlantic Transect expeditions will target six primary sites on 7, 15, 31, 48, and 63 Ma ocean crust. The proposed transect, which follows a Mid-Atlantic Ridge crustal flow-line, will fill critical gaps in our sampling of intact in-situ ocean crust with regards to crustal age, spreading rate, and sediment thickness. The transect traverses the previously unexplored sediment- and basalt-hosted deep biosphere beneath the South Atlantic gyre, samples of which are essential to refine global biomass estimates and investigate microbial ecosystems’ responses to variable conditions in a low energy gyre and ageing ocean crust. The transect is located near World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) line A10, providing access to records of carbonate chemistry and deep-water mass properties across the western South Atlantic through key Cenozoic intervals of elevated atmospheric CO2 and rapid climate change. Reconstruction of the history of the deep western boundary current and deep-water formation in the Atlantic basins will yield crucial data to test hypotheses regarding the role of evolving thermohaline circulation patterns in climate change, and the effects of tectonic gateways and climate on ocean acidification.

General expedition information here.

Scientific Prospectus link here.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: This call is open to researchers (including PhD students) from all ECORD nations who are able to fulfil the shipboard role of (1) either a microbiologist or sedimentologist on Expedition 390, and (2) microbiologist on Expedition 393.

Microbiology candidates with experience using sediment oxygen sensors or handling hard rock microbiology samples are encouraged. The JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) is committed to a policy of broad participation and inclusion, and to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. Good working knowledge of the English language is required.

COVID-19 Protocol: The JRSO has created a protocol to safely operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. If pandemic conditions have not improved by early-mid 2022, one or both expeditions may need to sail with a reduced shipboard contingent. However, all participants will maintain their designation as science party members regardless of whether they sail or not, and will have equal access to all expedition data and core materials. The protocol is available here: http://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/JR_COVID-Mitigation-Protocols.pdf .

The Application Process is open to scientists in all ECORD member countries. Please download the Apply to Sail general application forms from the ESSAC webpage.

Please, fill out all applicable fields and send it to the ESSAC office by email (essac@plymouth.ac.uk)

with the following additional documents by the deadline of 15 October 2021:

  • A letter of interest outlining your specific expertise, previous involvement in DSDP/ ODP/ IODP

expeditions, research interests, primary research goals of your proposed participation.

  • CV and publication list.
  • Early career researchers must additionally provide a letter of support from their host institution,

including information on post-cruise science support.

All applications should state how you intend to achieve your proposed scientific objectives, with information on the funding scheme and support from your institution or national funding agencies. More information can be found here.

In addition to the ESSAC application, all applicants must inform their national office or national delegate and send them a copy of their application documents. The national offices or national delegates can also provide information regarding travel support, post-cruise funding opportunities, etc.

See this link for a list of the national contact persons.

For further information or questions, please contact the ESSAC Office: ECORD Science Support & Advisory Committee: Antony Morris (ESSAC Chair) or Hanno Kinkel (ESSAC Science Coordinator); e-mail: essac@plymouth.ac.uk

via ECORD
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