The challenge of exploring extreme ecosystems in the oceans

Due to the rapid development in communication and electronic technology major changes in the way ocean sciences are conducted are underway. Interestingly enough there are scientific problems in space and in ocean sciences that also suggest a closer cooperation between these two fields. The investigation of ecosystems under extreme environmental stress where their mere existence seem to be in contradiction to previous dogmas has been in the focus of exploration. First results lead scientists to the conclusion that the hydrothermal vent ecosystems may -be the "crucible of creation". The investigation of Lake Vostok in Antarctica is planned to be conducted by dedicated autonomous robots. Similar vehicles can be used to investigate the conjectured ocean on Jupiter moon Europa. Recent discoveries also suggest that the frozen continent and other extreme environments like the Mid Atlantic Ridge may also have lessons for us about the possibilities of oceanic life on (or, rather, in) the Jupiter moon Europa. Besides fixed platforms interconnected by cables with real time or quasi real time access to shore dedicated autonomous vehicles have to be developed. A fleet of small, energy efficient platforms will be set in place to cover a wide range of investigation around the communications nodes be it under the ice or in regions of hot vents. These robots will be either ground or free swimming vehicles with endurance of months to years. They have to carry a multitude of multidisciplinary instruments. Compact energy efficient devices for taking measurements or probing the ocean floor have to be realised. Additional to that these devices have to survive strong temperature gradients and aggressive, corrosive environmental conditions. Acoustic data transmission will be improved but will probably always be limited to 10's of Kbit/s. To transmit short video sequences or high resolution pictures one has to reach data rates of the order of MBit/s. Concepts of optical transmissions have to be evaluated either through free transmission through the water column or by employing optical fibres. On the surface the transmission bandwidth can be improved with a certain number of buoys deployed or ships underway to form a transitional transmission network. Solar powered aircrafts or balloon transponder will further enhance the capabilities if according environmental conditions can be met.