Federal and Academic Scientists
Return from Deep-Sea Research Cruise in Gulf of Mexico
Scientists Observe
Damage to Deep-sea Corals
Government and academic scientists on a multi-week expedition to
explore deep-sea coral habitats in the Gulf of Mexico have observed
corals and associated communities of marine life that show evidence
of recent damage. Today marks the conclusion of this year’s cruise,
the fourth of a multiyear collaboration sponsored by NOAA’s Office
of Ocean Exploration and Research and the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE). The expedition is
chronicled at
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.
Operating
from the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown and using a variety of tools
including the National Deep Submergence Facility’s Jason II
remotely-operated vehicle (ROV), researchers were working at a site
1,400 meters deep (roughly 4,600 feet) and approximately seven miles
southwest of the Macondo wellhead when they visually observed dead
and dying corals with sloughing tissue and discoloration.
Charles
Fisher, Ph.D., professor of biology at Penn State University and
chief scientist on the expedition, described much of the soft coral
observed in an area measuring about 15 to 40 meters as covered by
what appeared to be a brown substance. Ninety percent of 40 large
corals were heavily affected and showed dead and dying parts and
discoloration. Another site 400 meters away had a colony of stony
coral similarly affected and partially covered with a similar brown
substance.
The 2010
expedition revisited many sites from missions in previous years and
documented that in nearly all cases, there was no observed change.
Until laboratory analyses are conducted, scientists cannot be
certain what caused the impacts. Sediment and coral samples were
collected with the ROV and were brought to the surface for analyses.
Further testing will also determine if the substance is oil, and if
so, whether it is consistent with the release from the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill.
“These
observations capture our concern for impacts to marine life in
places in the Gulf that are not easily seen,” said Jane Lubchenco,
Ph.D., under secretary for commerce for oceans and atmosphere and
NOAA administrator. “Continued, ongoing research and monitoring
involving academic and government scientists are essential for
comprehensive understanding of impacts to the Gulf.”
“Through
the continued work of ongoing research projects such as this, BOEMRE
scientists, other government scientists, academia and the public can
better understand the potential effects of offshore energy
exploration and development, including the possible effects of the
Deepwater Horizon blowout and spill,” said BOEMRE director Michael
R. Bromwich. “Today’s preliminary observations highlight the need
for continued scientific research in the Gulf of Mexico.
“While
this mission was not designed to be focused on oil spill research,
the timing and location provided an opportunity to observe any
impacts to our research areas,” said Fisher.
The 2010
expedition was supported by a number of partners including NOAA,
BOEMRE, Penn State University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,
Temple University, Louisiana State University, Florida State
University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the PAST Foundation, T.D.I.
Brooks International and C&C Technologies.
Celebrating 10 years of ocean exploration, NOAA's Office of Ocean
Exploration and Research uses state-of-the-art technologies to
explore the Earth's largely unknown ocean in all its dimensions for
the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge. The NOAA
fleet of ships and aircraft is operated, managed and maintained by
the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, which includes
commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps and civilian wage mariners.
BOEMRE is
the federal agency within the Department of Interior responsible for
overseeing the safe and environmentally responsible development of
energy and mineral resources on the Outer Continental Shelf.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes
in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the
surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and
marine resources. Visit us online at
http://www.noaa.gov or at Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/usnoaa.gov.
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Contact:
BOEMRE Public Affairs
