PRESSURISED: 034 - Deep biosphere with Mandy Joye

The Deep-Sea Podcast

Our short and to the point PRESSURISED version of episode 34. If you don't have time for the full episode and want to get right to the science without any of our waffle, this is the place to be!

On this month’s episode, we wanted to go deeper and darker than we’ve ever gone before… prepare the enter: the deep biosphere!

We talk with Professor Mandy Joye about the vast microbial wonderland which is the deep biosphere. This ecosystem, which exists deep under the seabed, has only recently been discovered and research is just starting to reach some interesting conclusions. We lean about the importance of deep sea microbes and how they cycle through our planet.

Professor Alan has been very busy this month with another world record to add to the collection. Not only did Thom and Alan break the world record for the world deepest fish back in 2014 (with a Mariana snailfish (Pseudoliparis swierei) being observed at 8143m in the Mariana trench). But, Alan beat his own record with this new snailfish seen at 8336m in the Izu-Ogasawara trench near Japan!

We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show.

Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan’s beloved apron and a much anticipated new design...

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Glossary

Archaea - Microorganisms similar to bacteria in size and simplicity, but are very different molecularly. They’re thought to be the ancient intermediate group between bacteria and eukaryotes.

Asgardarchaeota (Asgards)- a type of archaea in which eukaryotes are thought to have first emerged.

Astrophysics - Astrophysics is a branch of space science that applies the laws of physics and chemistry to seek to understand the universe.

Deep biosphere - The expansive ecosystem of microbes which exist deep under the seabed.

Niche - A species' niche encompasses both the physical and environmental conditions it requires (e.g. temperature) and the interactions it has with other species (like predation or competition).

Deepwater Horizon - An offshore drilling rig owned by Transocean and operated by BP which exploded in 2010, causing the worst oil spill in American history.

Eukaryotes - A organism which is made of cells where the DNA is contained in a nucleus. (All living organisms other than archaea and eubacteria).

Flagellated - Having flagella (a slender threadlike structure which allows microorganisms to swim (e.g. bacteria or sperm).

Genome - The genome is the entire set of DNA instructions found in a cell.

Geochemistry - The study of the chemistry of geological materials such as rock, sediment, soil and water.

Intraterrestrials - species living within the earth

Metabolism - The conversion of the energy in food to the energy available to run cellular processes.

Methanogens - a methane-producing bacterium, especially an archaean which reduces carbon dioxide to methane.

NASA - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research.

Turnover rate - How quickly bacteria reproduce and die.

Links

Mandy’s lab group website

https://joyelab.org/

Mandy collaborated with Jim Toomey on a series of "deep ocean" educational cartoons.

Watch a summary of the deep biosphere

Watch this cartoon explaining the microbes at hydrothermal vents

Alan’s new record for the world's deepest fish

After 10 years of discussions, The High Seas Treaty has been agreed upon.

Credits

Theme – Hadal Zone Express by Märvel

Logo image: The Deep-Sea Podcast PRESSURISED

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