HomeFeaturesApplication Briefs Diving Equipment Helps Expedition Team Uncover Microbial Adaptation to Harsh Environments
Diving Equipment Helps Expedition Team Uncover Microbial Adaptation to Harsh Environments
Jun 30 2007
CODE Rebreathers and SSV Lifejackets
Aqua Lung
Vista, CA
760- 597-5000 www.aqualung.com
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The High Lakes Project (HLP) is funded by a grant from the
NASA Astrobiology Institute to the SETI/NAI team. The HLP
is an endeavor involving a team of expert scientists, mountainclimbers,
and divers that will explore the ecosystems of three
high-altitude-summit lakes in Bolivia and Chile. The physical
and environmental conditions around and in these lakes —
characterized by a thin atmosphere, temperature swings, and
intense ultraviolet radiation — are uniquely analogous to
ancient Martian lakes about 2.7 billion years ago. Learning
about how microbial organisms adapt to such harsh environments
is a critical step in preparing for life on Mars. The HLP
also aims to understand how rapid climate change affects life
and habitats, which is relevant to Martian exploration and to
Earth’s current evolution.
The current expedition requires the team to dive to the bottom
of these high-altitude lakes using compact oxygen diving
equipment, called rebreathers. The apparatus captures carbon
dioxide and allows the divers to breathe pure oxygen, thereby
preventing expelled carbon dioxide from contaminating the
lakes. The rebreathers provide divers with enough time to
explore the ecosystem at the bottom of the lakes. Aqua Lung
will loan the HLP diving team three CODE rebreathers and
three SSV lifejackets for use in the high-altitude lakes. In
return, NASA will provide Aqua Lung with a full evaluation of
the diving equipment in high-altitude lakes and photographs
of the diving operations.
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