Universität Wien

280115 EX Erdwissenschaftliche Exkursionen II (2024W)

Field Exploration of biosignatures in Extreme Environments in South Spain

5.00 ECTS (5.00 SWS), SPL 28 - Erdwissenschaften, Meteorologie - Geophysik und
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 15 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine

Field Trip: February 2-11, 2025
Meeting Point: Seville Airport
The field trip is scheduled to take place from February 2nd to February 11th, 2025. Participants should plan to meet at Seville Airport, which will serve as both the departure and return point for the trip. Exact departure and return times will be confirmed closer to the date.

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

Learning Objectives:
This field course is designed to immerse students in the study of astrobiology, with a particular emphasis on biosignatures and their implications for the search for life beyond Earth. Students will explore the hyperacidic environment of Rio Tinto as analoguefor potential extraterrestrial habitats. They will learn to identify and interpret petrological and geochemical features through an astrobiological lens, considering how similar environments might exist on other planets, especially Mars. The course will stress the importance of understanding Earth's extreme environments as windows into the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe.
Central to the course is the in-depth study of biosignatures in various geological contexts. Students will hone their skills in identifying, characterizing, and evaluating various types of biosignatures, with a primary focus on morphological structures visible in the field. Additionally, they will learn proper sampling techniques essential for subsequent laboratory analyses of chemical and isotopic signatures, ensuring a comprehensive approach to biosignature detection and interpretation. By examining both ancient and modern environments, including early Cambrian deposits, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how life leaves detectable traces in the geological record. This knowledge is crucial for astrobiology, as it informs strategies for identifying potential signs of life on other planetary bodies.
Participants will engage in discussions about the challenges of distinguishing between biotic and abiotic signatures, the preservation of biosignatures over geological time, and the applicability of these concepts to space missions. By the end of the course, students will have gained hands-on experience in astrobiology-focused field research, preparing them for future work in this exciting interdisciplinary field.

Content:

Rio Tinto's hyperacidic system: modern and ancient deposits, extremophile life forms. Preservation of biosignatures under extreme hyperacidic and oxidizing conditions.
Early Cambrian deposits in Cordoba: microbial and biological structures, early life biosignatures.
Field techniques for identifying, sampling, and analyzing potential biosignatures.
Relevance of these environments to astrobiology and the search for life on other planets.

The course will be taught through:
On-site lectures and demonstrations at each location.
Guided observations and sample collection.
Discussions and problem-solving sessions in the field.
Hands-on experience with field equipment and techniques.
Evening seminars to reinforce daily learnings and prepare for the next day's activities.

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Students will be evaluated through a group presentation given after the field trip.
Students will form groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group will prepare and deliver a 20-minute presentation (followed by a 10-minute Q&A session) on a topic related to the field trip experiences. The presentation should be given within 2 weeks after the conclusion of the field trip.

Presentation Topics: Groups will choose from topics like, but not necessary, the following:
1. Biosignatures in Messinian deposits and their paleoenvironmental implications
2. The Rio Tinto system as an analog for potential Martian environments
3. Comparison of biosignature preservation in different geological contexts observed during the trip
4. Extremophile adaptations in hyperacidic environments and their astrobiological significance
5. Field techniques for identifying and analyzing potential biosignatures

Presentation Guidelines: Duration 20 minutes (plus 10 minutes for questions) including relevant images, diagrams, and data from the field trip. Must incorporate field observations, scientific literature, and astrobiological implications. All group members should participate in the presentation. Assessment criteria will include accuracy of observations, depth of analysis, application of course concepts, and quality of scientific communication.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Prüfungsstoff

Literatur

Reading list: It will be provided around one week before the fieldtrip.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

MA-ERD-W-1.5; VER; PM-Nawi;

Letzte Änderung: Mo 25.11.2024 11:46