1.   Long term (~30 yrs) scientific knowledge on deep- sea ecosystems (i.e. cold seeps, vents, cold water corals, slopes and abyssal plains…)  Vast experience in deep-sea cruises, including those with manned submersible, ROV, AUV - multidisciplinary teams  Expertise in providing the basic science for conservation and management of deep-sea biodiversity in relation with the exploitation of energetic and mineral resources  Two laboratories : (1) Deep-sea environment and (2) Microbiology of extreme environments Ifremer “Deep-sea ecosystem studies”

2. Structure Roscoff Biological Station UPMC CNRSUBO EEP - Head PM Sarradin 30 permanent, ~20 CDD (1) Deep sea environment J Galéron (18) (2) Microbiology of extreme environments A Godfroy (12) GDR « Ecchis » UMR 6197

3. Scientific objectives  To participate to the national and international efforts of exploring and studying the deep ocean;  To develop and undergo pluridisciplinary research studies that allows a better understanding of the structure and functioning of deep-sea ecosystems, including the microbial compartment;  To develop specific and dedicated sampling strategies and new instruments;  To elaborate a capacity of expertise on environmental problems linked to anthropogenic impacts;  To characterize, through genomic analyses, the properties of proteins of interest.

4. Major study sites Deep-sea canyons Cold corals Cold seeps Hydrothermal vents Deep-sea nodules

5. The questions What is the role of the microbial compartment in the functionning and resilience of different marine ecosystems? Role and diversity of microorganisms Less than 8000 species of microorganisms described Cultivated species represent only 0,1 to 1% of the microorganisms present Essential role in ecosystem functionning Primary producers, recycling of organic matter Primordial role in major biogeochemical cycles C, N, S, Fe etc….. Mud volcanoes Pockmarks Chimneys Sub-surface

6. The questions What are the limits of life ? How did the microorganisms adapt ? What are the energetic processes and dispersal phenomena ? The deep biosphere Oger & Jebbar 2010 122°C for Methanopyrus kandlerii (Takai et al., 2008), 130 -150 MPa for Pyrococcus yayanosii (Zeng et al., 2009) Including deep sea ecosystems and subseafloor The deep biosphere may represent 70% of the cells on Earth…

7.  Occurrence of damaged nucleic acids in extreme conditions  Enzymatic characterization of key players in genomic maintenance Interaction network involved in DNA repair Characterization of new actors in DNA maintenance Characterization of main actors in DNA replication fork DNA engineering The questions What are the main actors of DNA replication and DNA repair in Pyrococcus abyssi ? What are their biotechnological applications ? Leading strand Lagging strand PriS Pri L PolD PolB MC M RPA RFC PCNA Okazaki fragments

8. Hydrothermal vents The questions What is the fauna associated to hydrothermal vents? What are the factors structuring this fauna (biotic, abiotic, …) at different scales ? Strategy, tools & data processing Local scale mapping Targeted faunal sampling Environmental characterization Vents on the MAR Links fauna – environment Identification of new species Cuvelier et al. 2011

9. The questions What is the temporal dynamics of these peculiar ecosystems ? What is the resilience of vent communities ? Strategy, tools & data processing Long term monitoring Deep sea observatories (MoMAR, Neptune) Image processing & analyses Multidisciplinary approach MoMAR on-going observatory Hydrothermal vents EU Projects ESONET/EMSO

10. The questions  What is the fauna associated to cold seeps ?  What are the factors structuring these communities ?  What is the temporal dynamics of cold seep habitats ? Strategy, tools & data processing Local scale mapping Targeted faunal sampling Environmental characterization Temporal variations Cold seeps Seeps in the Norvegian Sea Mapping communities at the structure-scale EU Project Hermione (2009-2012)

11. The questions What are the species forming the reefs and those associated with cold corals ? What is the distribution of these ecosystems in the French waters ? What are the remarkable and vulnerable cold coral reefs ? Deep water corals Form remarkable habitats in terms of biodiversity Distributed worldwide on the continental shelves from 200 to 2000 m Threatened by human activities EU Project CoralFISH (2008-2012) : Cartography of 25% of the Golfe of Gascogne margin Study of the relations between cold corals and geomorphology, associated biodiversity, fish and impacts of fisheries Genetic studies Contribution to the Mediterranean inventory (MPA) Contribution to different conventions (OSPAR, Biodiversity, European (Natura) and national directives

12. The questions How can we determine the flux of material transiting in canyons ? What are the transport mechanisms and their temporal variability ? What is the link between the nature and variability of the different inputs and the structure of the benthic communities ? Deep canyons They represent vectors for the transport of organic matter (and pollutants) towards the deep ocean. They exhibit high temporal variations of energetic inputs VV VPVP VA VB VC VD Var canyon (Mediterranean sea) Congo canyon Sponge Hyalonema sp.

13. The questions What is the geographic distribution of the species associated with nodules ? What is the connectivity between the fauna of the different regions ? What would be the ideal zone to propose as a MPA ? Polymetallic nodules Mandatory studies of the Clarion- Clipperton French concessions Evaluation of the biodiversity

14. Deep Ocean Exploration and Understanding Geodynamic and magmatic processes at Mid- Oceanic Ridges High resolution bathymetry of the MOMAR area (Lucky Strike, MAR)  Multi-disciplinary approach (petrology, geochemistry, structural geology, geophysic).  Linking geodynamic and magmatic processes with mantle convection and heterogeneity  Multi-scale approach – both in time and space  Development of monitoring systems (hydroacoustic and high-resolution 3D geophysical approach: gravimetry, electrical measurements).

15. Deep Ocean Exploration and Understanding Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems, Mineral Ressources and Biogeochemical processes  Better understanding of geological processes that are involved in formation of mineral deposits at the seafloor.  Geodiversity of seafloor hydrothermal processes and fluid- rock-ecosystem interactions.  Development of new biogeochemical proxies (e.g. metal isotope geochemistry by mass spectrometry)  Field studies: e.g. south Azores and equatorial MAR, Guaymas, SW Indian ridge, nodule-rich area and volcanic seamounts.

16. To better understand the functioning and dynamics of deep- sea ecosystems is the first step to insure their preservation …

17.  Observe  Sample  Experiment  Analyze New tools to … MoMAR observatory Water sampler In situ analyzer Microbial colonization device Bioreactor Fluid flow measurements Microbathymetry EU Projects EXOCET/D, ESONET/EMSO