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Science Project Descriptions

Crew Contact	Title	Description
Kathryn Bywaters	Biological Properties of the Active Layer Above the Permafrost on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canadian High Arctic	This study is an investigation into the properties of the microbial mass within the seasonally thawing top layer of the soil above the permafrost. In particular, we would like to determine the change in the depth of biomass activity in response to the winter to spring seasonal transition. Permafrost is probably common on Mars, particularly in the polar regions, so understanding the way microbes adapts to changes in the permafrost might help us identify niches for microbial life.
Kathryn Bywaters	Microbial Community Comparison within the active layer above the permafrost on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canadian High Arctic	This project identifies the microbial communities within the active layer and those at the ice table. We expect there to be significant differences in quantity and types of microbes in these two communities. Due to high radiation levels on the surface of Mars, we expect that microbial life, if there is any, will live below the surface, yet above the permafrost. Understanding such life on Earth may help us to find it, if it exists, on Mars.
Kathryn Bywaters	Diversification of microbial activity in different snow types on Devon Island	This study involves the collection of snow from different areas of snow deposition mechanisms. Samples are analyzed and compared for total bioload within the snow. We are looking for a possible correlation between snow deposition formation and biomass.
Kim Binsted	Effects of an asynchronous online collaboration tool on knowledge building and science return on a Mars simulation mission	One of the most important aspects of a long-term science expedition to Mars is how the scientists involved in the mission can effectively conduct science operations that allow for communication and collaboration between Science Advisory Groups (SAG) and Remote Science Teams (RST) on Earth and the crew on Mars. In this study, we compare different means of asynchronous electronic communication, and compare their effectiveness.
Simon Auclair	The role of geologic parameters in predicting bioload above the permafrost, while varying depth, location, and soil type, through the spring thaw transition	The goals of this research are to characterize the effects of evolving physical conditions (e.g., temperature, frost, thaw, level of humidity, and eventual frost-cracking and desiccation) over the winter/summer transition on the active layer of diverse permafrost soils. Together with the biology projects, this research will provide input into the assessment of how these conditions affect the biodiversity of permafrost.
Simon Auclair	Transient hydrothermal systems of the Haughton impact structure, Devon Island, Canada: Implications for the development of biological habitats	Past and possibly current life has developed within the crater's hydrothermal structures, potentially more in those than in surrounding rocks. It implies that transient underground conditions following an impact could be favorable to life, contrary to the past common belief. Evidence of biological processes could be found in zones of alteration where fluid circulation has occurred. Rock sampling of the most understudied lithologies/areas/types of structures will be made, and thin plates will be analyzed by microscopy once the mission is completed.
Kim Binsted	Tracing the relative contribution of basement and carbonate lithologies in the Haughton crater impactites	Impactites are rocks affected by the impact of a meteorite, such as the one that created the Haughton Crater and craters like it on Mars. In contrast to the detailed work on the groundmass of the crater-fill impact melt breccias at Haughton, relatively little work has been done on the clastic content of these impactites. In this study, we propose to study the relative contribution and distribution of crystalline basement clasts in impactites of the crater interior and exterior.
Simon Auclair	Permafrost landform development over the winter-to-summer transition: Characterization of evolving physical conditions of a polygon field in the Canadian High Arctic	Little is known about the development of patterned grounds over a long period of time, especially in remote Arctic environments. Polygons are features caused by permafrost activity underneath. This study will provide in situ characterization of a polygon field in order to increase the level of knowledge on how polygons are affected by the changing environmental conditions from winter to summer. For instance, we should be able to observe the effects of a snowpack and seasonal run off on polygon development.
Melissa Battler	Observing the "Weeping Cliffs" Phenomenon near Haughton Crater as an Analogue for Mars	Features dubbed as "Weeping Cliffs" have been observed on both Mars and Earth. One hypothesis explaining their formation is that snowpack that collects above the cliff top melts in the summer, percolates down through to some more resistant layer (perhaps the permafrost boundary) and then flows laterally until it weeps out of the cliff face. We are testing this theory in the Arctic climate by tracing potential weeping cliff hydrological flow pathways using conventional hydrologic dyes. Determining the weeping cliff mechanism on Earth may increase our understanding of similar features on Mars, and may indicate evidence of liquid water beneath the Martian surface.
Melissa Battler	Regolith Landform Mapping of Haughton Crater as an Analogue for Mars	Landforms and regolith (unconsolidated surface material; anything between bedrock and air, including soils) are formed by essentially the same groups of processes on Earth. Once the inter-relationships between regolith and landforms are understood, landforms can be used to predict regolith patterns. Thus landforms can be used as a proxy for the regolith when ground truth is not available. Regolith-landform mapping is an approach to describing the earth's surface in terms of both landforms and the surface materials, by first creating a map using only satellite/remote sensing data, then confirming the map through ground truthing and reconnaisance. The working hypothesis is that we should be able to predict basic regolith types simply from observing landforms in satellite images. This mapping technique is readily applicable to Mars, therefore is important to test it in Mars Analogue environments on Earth.
Ryan Kobrick	Mars Radiation Environment Modeling (MarsREM)	In order for life to survive on Mars, it would have to endure extreme temperatures, lack of liquid water, and in particular the radiation environment. In a known radiation environment, it is possible to determine the approximate lifespan of an organism. Therefore, radiation knowledge could be use to estimate the lifespan of an organism on Mars. To get better understanding of the subsurface radiation environment, sample cores will be extracted and a scalar used to measure the radiation flux at a predetermined depth in the soil. The flux will also be measured above the surface of the core location to help determine if the source of radiation is from cosmic radiation or from the soil. The cores will be analyzed for radiation type and energy spectrum as well as atomic composition in a laboratory. The data collected will be synthesized with Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data Files from the National Nuclear Data Center and information on the atomic and isotopic composition of the Martian regolith. The combined data will be used to extrapolate a model of the radiation environment beneath the Martian surface.
Ryan Kobrick	2007 Human Factors Research at FMARS	"Human Factors" is an area of research that includes human performance, human-technology interactions, human-design interactions, and human-computer interactions in a task orientated environment. The 2007 field session at the FMARS, featured six human factors projects including: distance communication technologies and physical training as countermeasures to stress; perception of situational factors in groups; station environment habitability; 'CASPER' sleep study (previously conducted on the International Space Station); analyzing the methodology for facilitating human factors studies; and Martian Time. Human factors research is a critical element of space exploration as it provides insight into a crew's performance and interpersonal relationships. The studies conducted with the F-XI LDM crew are looking at the physiological, physiological, and sociological changes that occur over a long duration mission. The station has many constraints and operational guidelines to make the simulation as close to a Mars mission as possible and is highlighted by the remoteness of Devon Island and the isolation that the crew experiences. The level of confinement is defined by how well by the crew follows protocols such as wearing spacesuits every time they leave the habitat including a simulated air revitalization protocol. The layout of the habitat lends some visual privacy in limited crew quarters (the walls are not sound proof). The 24 hours of daylight would be analogous to a polar Moon or Mars mission where the crew would be responsible for their sleep cycle in the absence of visual cues. The addition of living according to a Martian Day (or 'sol'), means that the day is 39 minutes longer than the 24 hour Earth Day.
Ryan Kobrick	Measure and evaluation of support intervention based on distance communication technologies and of physical training on relevance, feasibility and perceived efficacy	See Above
Ryan Kobrick	Analysis of group dynamics-perception of situational factors (heterogeneous and international) and its impact on crew interaction and perception of behavior and performance of crewmembers	See Above
Ryan Kobrick	Analysis of station environment habitability, of crew cognitive performance and changes in group dynamics	See Above
Ryan Kobrick	CASPER The use of cardiac autonomic activity as a surrogate marker for sleep in a space analog environment	See Above
Ryan Kobrick	Human factors research as part of a space analogue mission on Devon Island	See Above
Kathryn Bywaters	The Seasonal Variation of Chironomidae in the ponds of the Canadian High Arctic as a paleoclimatic indicator Devon Island, Nunavut, Canadian High Arctic	This project studies the seasonal fluctuation in the chironomidae head capsules retrieved from the various sites for the present year and previous years. Chironomidae are a climatic indicator, and give key insights into the seasonal fluctuations of ponds and lakes. By observing the winter to spring transition changes in the ponds and lakes on Devon Island in the Canadian High Arctic we learn more about the possible characteristics of any past ponds and lakes in similar environments on Mars.
Kathryn Bywaters	The Seasonal Variation of the Ponds on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canadian High Arctic	This project studies the seasonal fluctuation through characterization of the ponds. This study will give key insights into the seasonal fluctuations of ponds. By observing the winter to spring transition changes in the ponds and lakes on Devon Island in the Canadian High Arctic we learn more about the possible characteristics of any past ponds and lakes in similar environments on Mars.
Simon Auclair	Metrics of a long duration polar expedition: An analogue for human Moon-Mars exploration	This is a continuous daily study to help planning crew schedules for a future Moon or Mars outpost. We are tracking, in detail, how the crew spends its time preparing for, carrying out, and doing follow-on work from extravehicular activities.
Matt Bamsey	Moon and Mars Crew Water Utilization Study Conducted at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station, Devon Island, Nunavut	Crew water use including drinking, all the various forms of hygiene, science, engineering, among others will be monitored and categorized throughout the duration of the FMARS2007 expedition. This data will provide new baseline information on early planetary surface stay water use that can better bound buffer sizes and the influence of EVA and exercise on water use as well as hot versus cold water demand. Valuable water use results can be attained as the expedition is being conducted at a relevant science site where a realistic program of traverses is possible. The expedition is of long enough duration to rule out 'Shuttle' like operations, has a realistic crew size, habitable volume/layout and involves a thorough exercise regime.
Kim Binsted	Martian sol influence on sleep stability and mental performance during a long duration analogue exploration mission	Starting July 1, the crew began a unique experiment and advanced the intensity of the simulation a dramatic step further by switching onto "Mars time." The crew will live according to the Martian day (or "sol"), which is 39 minutes longer than the 24 hour Earth day. This will cause the crew to drift out of synch with the rest of Earth, gradually returning to Earth time after 36 days. Because the FMARS station is at 75 degrees north, it has no night and very little light variation in the month of July, so the day-night operational cycle can be rescheduled to correspond to that on Mars. This will be the first time that a group, in realistic space exploration conditions, has lived and worked according to the longer Martian day, and we will discover how well crewmembers adapt, and if there are any negative effects. Recognizing and compensating for any such effects will be essential for future expeditions to Mars.

FMARS 2007 Crew Blog

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