Sampling of basement fluids via circulation obviation retrofit kits (CORKs) for dissolved gases, fluid fixation at the seafloor, and the characterization of organic carbon

© The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Lin, H. T., Hsieh, C. C., Repeta, D. J., & Rappé, M. S. Sampling of basement fluids via circulation obviation retrofit kits (CORKs) for dissolved gases, fluid fixation at the seafloor, and the characterization of organic carbon. Methodsx, 7, (2020): 101033, doi:10.1016/j.mex.2020.101033.
The advanced instrumented GeoMICROBE sleds (Cowen et al., 2012) facilitate the collection of hydrothermal fluids and suspended particles in the subseafloor (basaltic) basement through Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kits (CORKs) installed within boreholes of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. The main components of the GeoMICROBE can be converted into a mobile pumping system (MPS) that is installed on the front basket of a submersible or remotely-operated-vehicle (ROV). Here, we provide details of a hydrothermal fluid-trap used on the MPS, through which a gastight sampler can withdraw fluids. We also applied the MPS to demonstrate the value of fixing samples at the seafloor in order to determine redox-sensitive dissolved iron concentrations and speciation measurements. To make the best use of the GeoMICROBE sleds, we describe a miniature and mobile version of the GeoMICROBE sled, which permits rapid turn-over and is relatively easy for preparation and operation. Similar to GeoMICROBE sleds, the Mobile GeoMICROBE (MGM) is capable of collecting fluid samples, filtration of suspended particles, and extraction of organics. We validate this approach by demonstrating the seafloor extraction of hydrophobic organics from a large volume (247L) of hydrothermal fluids. • We describe the design of a hydrothermal fluid-trap for use with a gastight sampler, as well as the use of seafloor fixation, through ROV- or submersible assisted mobile pumping systems. • We describe the design of a Mobile GeoMICROBE (MGM) that enhances large volume hydrothermal fluid sampling, suspended particle filtration, and organic matter extraction on the seafloor. • We provide an example of organic matter extracted and characterized from hydrothermal fluids via a MGM.
We dedicate this work to Dr. James P. Cowen, who had envisioned and constructed the integrated instrumentation, GeoMICROBE, to monitor the sub-basement biosphere. We thank the chief scientists, captains, crews, and science teams on board R/V Atlantis cruises AT15-35, AT15-51, AT15-66, AT18-07, MSM20-5, AT26-03, and AT26-18, and the pilots and crews of ROV Jason II and HOV Alvin. We thank our student assistants, Natalie Hamada, Kathryn Hu, Ryan Matzumoto, Everette Omori, and Fan-Chieh Chuang. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation-Microbial Observatory Project (NSF-MCB06-04014 to J. P. Cowen), Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI; NSF award OCE-0939564 to M. S. Rappé), NSF award OCE-1260723 (to M. S. Rappé), and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan award (MOST 105-2119-M-002-034, MOST 107-2611-M-002-002, MOST 108-2611-M-002-006, and MOST109-2611-M-002-008 to H.-T. Lin). Ministry of Education (MOE) Republic of China (Taiwan) 109L892601 to H.-T. Lin. NSF award OCE-1634080 (to D. J. Repeta), the Simons Foundation-Simons Collaboration on Ocean Processes and Ecology (SCOPE) award 329108 (to D. J. Repeta), the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation award 6000 (to D. J. Repeta). This paper is SOEST contribution number 11121, HIMB contribution 1804 and C-DEBI contribution number 543.