Targeting deeply-sourced seeps along the Central Volcanic Zone.

Area of Science:

• Geochemistry and Geomicrobiology of Convergent Margins
• Tectonic controls on volatile cycling and subsurface microbial ecosystems

Background:

• Convergent margins facilitate subduction, transporting carbon and volatiles into Earth's mantle.
• Volcanic outgassing counterbalances deep volatile transport, influencing surface environments.
• Subduction dynamics vary across the Andean Convergent Margin, potentially affecting volatile recycling and microbial interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess processes controlling volatile inventory and their interaction with deep subsurface microbial communities.
• To understand the interplay between microbiology, deeply-sourced fluids, the crust, and tectonic parameters along the Andean Convergent Margin.
• To characterize seep types and geological contexts within the Central Volcanic Zone.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a scientific expedition along an ~800 km segment of the Andean Convergent Margin (Central Volcanic Zone, 17°S–24°S).
• Collected fluids, gases, and sediments from 38 diverse seep sites.
• Documented field protocols, site descriptions, and sample characteristics.

Main Results:

• Successfully sampled a wide range of seep types across different geological settings.
• Collected comprehensive data on fluids, gases, and sediments for further analysis.
• Established a dataset linking geological context to potential volatile sources and microbial habitats.

Conclusions:

• The study provides crucial baseline data for understanding volatile recycling and microbial life in subduction zones.
• Findings will elucidate how tectonic variations influence deep Earth processes and subsurface ecosystems.
• This research lays the groundwork for future investigations into the biogeochemical cycles at convergent margins.