Meet the Researcher

Krista Longnecker

Krista is pursuing a PhD in oceanography from Oregon State University.

She tells us:

My role in the project really is twofold. First, I will try to find the species of microbes that are using pyrite and the hydrogen associated with the pyrite as an energy source. In other words, microbes in the deep-sea do not rely on sunlight for energy like land-based plants or phytoplankton in the ocean. Instead, in the deep-ocean (and some other places), the microbes rely on chemicals that come out of the vents for energy to support life. My role in the project is to find the microbes that are specifically relying on the mineral pyrite for energy.

Second, I am involved in the use of a new technology that will enable researchers to look at which chemical compounds are present in hydrothermal vent fluid and the concentration of those fluids WHILE ON THE BOTTOM. Previously, all chemical analysis was done with water collected on the bottom. This group has developed a way to (potentially) make measurements while in the sub. I am NOT doing the development of this, but am one of the people who know how to operate the system.

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