More excitement today!
Based on the detailed map from the previous day’s work, we spent the
entire day exploring Baker Bank with the ROV.
After a deployment to balance the ROV’s buoyancy, the ROV followed two
planned transects for video capture and then collected some samples. We captured several hours of video, including
almost three hours on the first transect and an hour on the second transect. The transects began on opposite sides (landward
and seaward) at the base of the bank and went up to the peak (shallowest
depth).
3D map of Baker Bank with overlay of ship's route while collecting multibeam data.
Image credit: Harriet Nash; Schmidt Ocean Institute
Crew deploys ROV over Baker Bank.
Image credit: Mark Schrope; Deep Sea Systems International; Schmidt Ocean Institute
In a region known for murky
waters filled with suspended mud and silt, scientists were thrilled to have
good visibility at 70 meters below the sea surface. The live video feed revealed a thriving
ecological community with high biodiversity at Baker Bank. Scientists identified several species of
sponges ranging in color from white to purple; fields of coiled wire corals;
sea fans; black corals; sea whips; crinoids; feather hydroids; branching
coralline algae; sea cucumbers; brittle stars; oyster clams; and juvenile and
adult reef fishes including butterfly fishes, angelfishes, wrasses, porgies,
snappers, and damselfishes.
Unfortunately, videographers also identified a lionfish, which is an
invasive species that feeds on native reef fish species. Technicians used regular video, 3D video, and
three different types of cameras to capture images and map sightings throughout
the dive. Scientists will use the
imagery and data to describe the community and biodiversity of Baker Bank.
Pilot James Sherwood controls ROV from the ship's navigation room.
Image credit: Mark Schrope; Deep Sea Systems International
The ROV pilot attempted twice to collect push core samples
of sediment, but the sediment was so fine and loose that it was not compacted
enough to remain in the sampling tube.
However, the ROV’s robotic arm did successfully collect a few
samples: two sponges and a black coral
sea fan.
A specimen of black coral that was collected from Baker Bank.
Image credit: Harriet Nash
Microscopic image of the black coral specimen showing six tentacles around each polyp mouth.
Image credit: David Hicks; Schmidt Ocean Institute
Day 3 Sunset
Image credit: Maureen Trnka
After Drs. Shirley and Tunnell charted out the next day’s
activities with the captain and technology crew, several scientists gathered in
the library to end a long day by watching “The Neverending Story,” the book and
movie after which the R/V Falkor and its safety boats were named.
Written by Harriet Nash for HRI at TAMUCC.
No comments:
Post a Comment