[meteorite-list] NASA Astrobiology Institute Field Workshop: Biosignatures in Ancient Rocks (BAR)

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:03:10 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <200708141903.MAA18897_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://psarc.geosc.psu.edu/RESEARCH/New_Conference/Ontario_new.htm

NASA Astrobiology Institute Field Workshop
Biosignatures in Ancient Rocks (BAR)
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
September 18-20, 2007 (Workshop)
September 21-27, 2007 (A, B, and C Field Trips)

Sponsored by the Agouron Institute (AGI), the Canadian Institute for
Advanced Research (CIFAR), Laurentian University, Ontario Geological
Survey, and the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

Scope

Astrobiologists recognize a variety of morphological, mineralogical, and
geochemical characteristics in ancient sedimentary rocks and soils that
may be used to decipher the history of life and environment in which it
evolved here on Earth and on other planets. These potential
"biosignatures" include, but are not restricted to: microfossils and
microbialites (stromatolites); carbon skeletons derived from
biomolecules (biomarkers); the isotopic compositions of C, N, H and
other elements in organic matter; sulfur isotope ratios of minerals; and
the relative abundances and isotopic compositions of redox-sensitive
elements (Fe, Mo, Cr, and REEs).

Nevertheless, debate continues as to whether some or all of these
characteristics are real, false, or even comprehensive signatures of
life, particular organisms, and/or specific environments, because the
existing data were collected from geologic formations that are
restricted in both space and time. For example, knowledge of the Archean
world (~3.8 to 2.5 billion years ago) world has come mainly from
investigations of regions in Africa (Barberton greenstone belt and
Kaapvaal craton) and Australia (Pilbara greenstones and Hamersley basin)
that may have been together prior to rifting about 1.4 billion years
ago. Thus, the goal of this workshop is to promote the Archean and
Proterozoic systems in Ontario as the first of other terrains for the
study of ancient biomarkers in an astrobiological context.

Organizing committee

Hiroshi Ohmoto, Pennsylvania State University (Chair)
Bruce Runnegar, University of California, Los Angeles
Lee Kump, Pennsylvania State University
Marilyn Fogel, Carnegie Institution of Washington
Balz Kamber, Laurentian University
J. Andy Fyon, Ontario Geological Survey

Program for the Sudbury Workshop

Sept. 17 (M). 5 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Registration, reception, poster
session, and public lectures (Runnegar and Schopf) at Science North
(Science Center), Sudbury.

Sept. 18 (T). 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Lectures, posters, and breakout sessions
at the Willet Green Miller Center, Laurentian University, Sudbury.

Sept. 19 (W). 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Field trip to the Elliot Lake area.

Sept. 20 (Th). 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Lectures, poster, and breakout sessions
at the Willet Green Miller Center, Laurentian University, Sudbury.

Post-Workshop Field Trips (optional): Please note some changes in
Excursion B.

Excursion A (one day): Excursion of the Sudbury area (impact structures)
on Sept. 21.

Excursion B (3 days): Include Excursion A and a trip to Temagami (BIFs)
- Cobalt (black shales) - Kirkland Lake (Core Library) - Timmins (VMS,
BIFs, cherts, black shales). Ends in Timmins on Sept. 23. (We have
eliminated a visit to the Ville Marie paleosol site, but added the
Cobalt area).

Excursion C (7 days): Include Excursion B and a trip to Wawa (BIFs,
shales, conglomerates) - Thunder Bay (Gunflint Fm., stromatolites, black
shales) - Steep Rock (paleosol & stromatolite). Ends in Timmins on Sept. 27.

The workshop will be limited to approximately 50 astrobiologists and is
aimed mainly at young researchers who have been actively investigating
topics relevant to ancient biosignatures as well current graduate
students who have the potential to become the future leaders in this
rapidly expanding field. Specific objectives of the workshop include the
following:

    * Review of known facts, hypotheses, and unknowns (i.e., future
      research agendas) related to biosignatures in ancient rocks;
    * Identification of future research needed to fully utilize
      particular biosignatures in understanding life and its environment
      on the early Earth;
    * Dissemination of knowledge possessed by experienced scientists to
      postdoctoral and graduate students;
    * Encouragement of participants to begin to develop
      multidisciplinary research plans or less-structured research
      networks focused on biosignatures in the Archean and Proterozoic
      rocks of southern Canada;
    * Provide opportunities to collect outcrop and drill-core samples
      for preliminary and reconnaissance investigations of Archean and
      Proterozoic biosignatures.

Confirmed Lecturers

Ariel Anbar, Arizona State University
Marilyn Fogel, Carnegie Institution of Washington
Katherine Freeman, Pennsylvania State University
Hans Hofmann, McGill University
Heinrich Holland, Harvard University
Clark Johnson, University of Wisconsin
Balz Kamber, Laurentian University
Paul Knauth, Arizona State University
Lee Kump, Pennsylvania State University
Donald Lowe, Stanford University
Hiroshi Ohmoto, Pennsylvania State University
Shuhei Ono, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bruce Runnegar, University of California, Los Angeles
William Schopf, University of California, Los Angeles
Dawn Sumner, University of California, Davis
Malcolm Walter, Macquarie University

Estimated costs

Registration fee - $200
Option A field trip - $50 per person
Option B field trip - $300/$450 (double/single occupancy)
Option C field trip - $800/$1,100 (double/single occupancy)
Transport, accommodations, and meals are included in all field trip cost
estimates.

Travel grants

Travel grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 per person will be awarded to
approximately 35 graduate students, postdoctoral associates, or
early-career geoscientists, selected on the basis of qualification and
need. Preference will be given to those who intend to participate in the
longer field trips (options B and C).

Timetable

July 15 - Deadline for expression of interest

August 5 - Deadline for payment of non-refundable $200 deposit to
reserve space at the Sudbury workshop and $300 (or $450) for Excursion
B, and $800 (or $1100) for Excursion C.

August 15 - Deadline for payment in full for Sudbury workshop and field
trips

Contact information

Address all enquiries to:

Ms. Linda Altamura
PSARC, 435 Deike Bldg., University Park, PA 16802
Tel: 814-863-8761, Fax: 814-863-2001
e-mail: lxg2 at psu.edu
 
The Penn State Astrobiology Research Center is funded by NASA,
The Pennsylvania State University and other sources.
Website designed and maintained by PSARC group. E-mail: Comments or
questions <mailto:lxg2 at geosc.psu.edu>.
Technical support provided by Geosciences Computer Support,
Department of Geosciences.
Received on Tue 14 Aug 2007 03:03:10 PM PDT