NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

1. The High Lakes Project (HLP)

   Project Investigators: Nathalie Cabrol

   Other Project Members

   Leslie Bebout (Collaborator)

   Guillermo Chong (Collaborator)

   Cecilia Demergasso (Collaborator)

   Victor Gaete (Research Staff)

   John Gibson (Collaborator)

   Edmund Grin (Collaborator)

   Gloria Hovde (Research Staff)

   Darlene Lim (Collaborator)

   Cristian Tambley (Research Staff)

   Clayton Woosley (Research Staff)

   Ingrid Ukstins Peate (Collaborator)

   Edwin Minkley (Collaborator)

   Cristina Dorador (Collaborator)

   Erich Fleming (Collaborator)

   Donat-P Häder (Collaborator)

   Patrick Kociolek (Collaborator)

   Katherine Harris (Undergraduate Student)

   Carlos Salazar (No Role Selected)

   Summary

   The High Lakes Project is a multi-disciplinary astrobiological investigation studying high-altitude lakes between 4,200 m and 5,916 m elevation in the Central Andes of Bolivia and Chile. Its primary objective is to understand the impact of increased environmental stress on lake habitats and their evolution during rapid climate change as an analogy to early Mars. Their unique geophysical environment and mostly uncharted ecosystems have added new objectives to the project, including the assessment of the impact of low ozone/high solar irradiance in non-polar aquatic environments, the documentation of poorly known ecosystems, and the quantification of the impact of climate change on lake environment and ecosystem.
   Data from 2003 to 2007 show that solar irradiance is 165% that of sea level with instantaneous UV-B flux reaching 17W/m2. Short UV wavelengths (260-270 nm) were recorded and peaked at 14.6 mW/m2. High solar irradiance occurs in an atmosphere permanently depleted in ozone falling below ozone hole definition for 33-36 days and between 30-35% depletion the rest of the year. The impact of strong UV-B and UV erythemally-weighted daily dose on life is compounded by broad daily temperature variations with sudden and sharp fluctuations. Lake habitat chemistry is highly dynamical with notable changes in yearly ion concentrations and pH resulting from low and variable yearly precipitation. The year-round combination of environmental variables define these lakes as end-members. In such an environment, they host surprisingly abundant and diverse ecosystems including a significant fraction of previously undescribed species of zooplankton, cyanobacterial, and bacterial populations.

   Astrobiology Roadmap Objectives:

   • Objective 1.1: Models of formation and evolution of habitable planets
   • Objective 2.1: Mars exploration
   • Objective 4.1: Earth's early biosphere
   • Objective 4.3: Effects of extraterrestrial events upon the biosphere
   • Objective 5.1: Environment-dependent, molecular evolution in microorganisms
   • Objective 5.2: Co-evolution of microbial communities
   • Objective 5.3: Biochemical adaptation to extreme environments
   • Objective 6.1: Environmental changes and the cycling of elements by the biota, communities, and ecosystems
   • Objective 6.2: Adaptation and evolution of life beyond Earth
   • Objective 7.1: Biosignatures to be sought in Solar System materials

   Project Progress

   Nathalie Cabrol- In 2007, HLP focused on lakes located in the Chilean altiplano. Activities : (1) the retrieval of data from our Eldonet UV station, the retrieval of the station, and the positioning of a short UV wavelength dosimeter at the summit of the Simba (volcano); (2) the exploration of new investigation sites, including Laguna Lejia and Laguna Aguas Calientes; (3) Data analysis and interpretation; (4) Presentation of results at the NASA Astrobiology conference in Santa Clara, and the preparation of a special issue on HLP for the Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences.

   
   

   Figure 1. Ostracod (3.2 mm across) from the Licancabur lake. Previously undescribed species of the genus Amphycitris. Identification and taxonomy performed by Ricardo Lourenco Pinto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.

   Field Expeditions

   Name

   2007 High-Lakes Expedition

   Dates

   October 28, 2007 - November 21, 2007

   Location

   Simba and other lakes: 23-37S Simba and other lakes: 67o68W

   Description

   The 2007 HLP expedition (October 28-November 21, 2007) investigated the summit lake of the volcano Aguas Calientes (5,870 m). To prevent confusion with Salar de Aguas Calientes also studied this year, the volcano summit lake is referred to as Simba. Simba is its native name. The team also initiated the survey of Laguna Lejia and Laguna Aguas Calientes in the Chilean altiplano. The expedition resulted in an abundance of samples of water, sediment, zooplankton, and microbial organisms, whose analysis is either completed or underway. New species in the zooplankton are now confirmed and are currently being described. Microbial population analysis is taking place both at Carnegie Mellon University and at our Chilean collaborators institution Universidad Catolica del Norte in Antofagasta. Cyanobacterial populations are analyzed at NASA Ames and new species have been confirmed as well in the samples (Figure 1). Zooplankton specimen are being analyzed in Australia, Russia, Belgium, Brazil, and US for detailed taxonomic; UV data from our dosimeters is being reduced and calibrated in Erlangen (Germany) and analyzed at NASA Ames. Meteorological data from our stations is being analyzed at NASA Ames. Our field data analysis was completed by remote sensing data analysis using 0.25°x 0.25° resolution data products and raw data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) onboard the NASA Aura spacecraft. Erythemal UV is monitored with Eldonet stations on the ground and OMI data for regional context. Yearly precipitation was surveyed through the analysis of the Monthly Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission data (TRMM 3B43 V6) from the TRMM Online Visualization and Analysis System (TOVAS). TOVAS was created and is supported by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). Satellite imagery (15-90 m/pxl resolution ASTER Vis/NIR/TIR 15 channels and Shuttle images) was used to identify paleoshores and terraces where relevant.

Publications

Cabrol, ..A., Minkley, J., Yu, Y., Grin, E.A., Woosley, C. & Morris, R.L.  (2007).  2006 HLP Diving Expedition in the Highest Volcanic Lake on Earth and Characterization of its Ecosystem.  SPIE Astrobiology Conference.  San Diego.

Unknown type: Edited Book (28)

Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A., Chong, G., Hock, A.N., Häder, D.P., Minkley, E., Yu, Y., Demergasso, C., Gibson, J., Lim, D., Morris, R.L., Tambley, C., Gaete, V., Galvez, M.E., Escudero, L., Parazynski, S.E., Smith, E., Ukstins Peate, I., Dawidowicz, G. & Majerowicz, J.  (2008 (submitted)).  The High Lakes Project: Science Overview, JGR-Biogeosciences.  HLP Special Issue.

Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A., Chong, G., Hock, A.N., Häder, D.P., Minkley, E., Yu, Y., Demergasso, C., Gibson, J., Lim, D., Woosley, C., Morris, R.L., Tambley, C., Gaete, V., Galvez, M.E., Escudero, L., Parazynski, S.E., Smith, E., Ukstins Peate, I., Dawidowicz, G. & Majerowicz, J.  (In review (2008)).  Environment and life in Earth's highest volcanic lake.  JGR-Biogeosciences,HLP Special Issue.

Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A., Kiss, K.T., Ács, E., Grigorszky, I., Szabò, K., Tóth, B., Fike, D.A., Hock, A.N., Demergasso, C., Escudero, L., Chong, G., Galleguillos, P., Grigsby, B.H., Zambrana Román, J., McKay, C.P. & Tambley, C.  (2007).  Signatures of Habitats and Life in Earth’s High-Altitude Lakes: Clues to Noachian Aqueous Environments on Mars..  In: M. Chapman (Ed.).  The Geology of Mars, Chapter 14: Evidence from Earth-Based Analogs (pp. 349-370).  Cambridge University Press.

Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A., Minkley, E., Yu, Y., Bebout, L., Fleming, E., Gibson, J., Demergasso, C., Chong, G., Lim, D. & Hoch, A.N.  (2008).  The High-Lakes Project (HLP): Dynamics of Declining Lakes, Habitat Sustainability, and Life in Early Mars Analog Environment..  AbSciCon:abstract ID # 3894258.

Cabrol, N.A., Minkley, J., .G., E., Yu, Y., Grin, E.A., Woosley, C. & Morris, R.L.  (2007).  Unraveling Life's Diversity in Earth's Highest Volcanic Lake.  Bioastronomy Conference.  Puerto Rico.

Cabrol, N.A.  (2007).  Mitigation of environmental extremes as a possible indicator of extended habitat sustainability for lakes on early Mars.  Proc. SPIE Conf., Volume 1, paper 6694-36:15 pages.  San Diego.

Chen, B. & Cabrol, N.A.  (2008 (submitted)).  Raman Spectra Identifications of Mineral and Organic Constituents in Field Samples from Andean High-Altitude Lakes.  J. Geophys. Res.-Biogeosciences, HLP Special Issue.

Chen, B., Stoker, C., McKay, C.P., Cabrol, N., Bonaccorsi, R., Anderson, D., Zavaleta, J., Dunagan, S., Manfredi Rodrigues, J.A., Elvira, J.G. & Raul, F.  (2007).  Raman spectra identifications of mineral and organic constituents..  Proc. NSTC Workshop.

Dorador, C., Meneses, D., Escudero, L., Blamey, J., Cabrol, N.A., Chong, G. & Demergasso, C.  (2008 (submitted)).  Microbial communities in Salar de Aguas Calientes and Laguna Lejía, two high alti-tude lakes of the Chilean Altiplano.  J. Geophys. Res.-Biogeosciences, HLP Special Issue.

Escudero, L., Chong, G., Demergasso, C., Farias, M.E., Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A., Minkley E., J. & Yu, Y.  (2007).  Investigating microbial diversity and UV radiation impact at the high altitude lake Aguas Calientes, Chile.  Proc. SPIE Conf., Volume 1:paper 6694-33, 12 pages.  San Diego.

Farias, M.E., Fernandez-Zennof, V., Flores, R., Ordoñez, O. & Estevez, C.  (Submitted 2008).  Impact of Solar Radiation on Bacterioplankton in Laguna Vilama, an Hypersaline Andean Wetland (4,650 m).  J. Geophys. Res.-Biogeosciences, HLP Special Issue.

Fleming, E.D., Prufert-Bebout, L., Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A. & Hock, A.N. et al.  (2008 (submitted)).  Characterization of Cyanobacteria from a Natural High Ultraviolet Radiation Environment in Laguna Blanca, Bolivia.  J. Geophys. Res.-Biogeosciences, HLP Special Issue.

Hock, A.N., Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A. & Zhang, J.A.  (2008 (submitted)).  The Licancabur volcano crater lake.  J. Volc. Geotherm. Res. special issue Volcanic lakes and environmental impacts of volcanic fluids.

Hock, A.N., Cabrol, N.A. & Grin, E.A..a.t.L.E.S.T.  (Submitted 2008).  Aqueous geochemistry at Licancabur Volcano, Bolivia: the crater lake, Lagunas Blanca and Verde.  Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta.

Lim, D.S.S., Hock, A.N., Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A. et al. & Galvez, M.E.  (2008 (submitted)).  Limnological Characterization of High-Altitude Lakes in the Bolivian-Chilean Andes.  J. Geophys. Res.-Biogeosciences, HLP Special Issue.

Minkley, E.J., Yu, Y., Cabrol, N.A., Grin, E.A., Woosley, C. & Morris, R.L.  (Submitted 2008).  Microbial Life in the Licancabur Lake.  J. Geophys. Res., HLP Special Issue.

Morris, R.L., Berthold, R. & Cabrol, N.  (2007).  Diving at extreme altitude: Dive planning and execution during the 2006 High-Lakes science expedition..  Proc. of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences, Diving for Science Symposium.  Miami, FL.