Lead institution:
Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (Ifremer) – France
LIFEDEEPER aims to safeguard the deep seabed through the study of hydrothermal fields and the development of ecological strategies.
The protection of the deep seabed, the largest biome on the planet, is a major challenge for future generations. At 3600 meters in depth, the TAG hydrothermal field is an area of choice for studying the geo-biodiversity of so-called inactive SMS deposits, and is, with the young and volcanic Snake Pit hydrothermal field, at the heart of our studies.
LIFEDEEPER intends to develop new approaches, combining in situ, in vivo, and lab experimentations, modeling, and qualitative research in social sciences to disentangle the geological, geochemical, and biological natural functioning of deep ocean ecosystems.
In a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, LIFEDEEPER aims to acquire definitions of reference ecological profiles and preservation strategies in the current context of the growing interest in deep mineral resources for the carbon-free and digitized world economy. LIFEDEEPER will propose solutions to allow future informed guidelines and decision-making.
This project is hosted by the Ocean Decade programme Challenger 150 – A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life.
Start Date: 21/09/2022
End Date: 20/09/2028
Lead Contact: Marie-Anne Cambon (Marie.Anne.Cambon@ifremer.fr)