|
For
mission logs
from the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Sustainable
Seas Expeditions, click
here.
|
||||||||||
|
Error processing SSI file Overview DeepWorker
surfaces after a three hours of
observations at Gray's Reef. Fish Assemblage Characterization of the Georgia Bight Tom Potts from the National Undersea Research Center and Laddie Akins from Reef Environmental and Education Foundation (REEF) conducted fish surveys at Gray's Reef near shore reefs and Sapelo Scarp outer shelf reefs. A total of seven submersible dives were completed, five at Gray's Reef and two at the Sapelo Scarp reefs. Over 15 hours of qualitative video was taken to document fish, invertebrates, and substrate. Fifteen quantitative/qualitative video transects were completed to document fish communities at the two sites. Detailed analyses of the videotapes have yet to be completed. Conducting video transect protocol tests were not attempted due to time and equipment limitations. However, pilots were able to get a better idea of the numerous challenges associated with using this new system. For instance, pilots gained considerable experience in operating the DeepWorker submersible in such a manner as to offset bottom currents. By correctly orienting the submersible into the current and applying appropriate forward and sideways thrust, pilots were able to conduct relatively fluid, timed video transects. Still to be resolved, though, are questions pertaining to camera position in relation to the sub and camera angle in relation to the substrate, field-of-view quantification, laser placement and adjustment, and incorporation of ancillary audio capabilities to augment video footage. Day-night Activity Characterization of Gray's Reef Vertebrates and Invertebrates Cathy
Sakas in the DeepWorker documents the
day-night activities at Gray's
Reef. Comparative Characterization of Live Bottom Fauna in the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Gray's
Reef is know for its great diversity in
sponges.
Alex
Score in the DeepWorker takes visual
counts of invertebrates at Gray's
Reef. Paleoenvironments and Archaeology at Gray's Reef This
project is a continuation of research at Gray's
Reef that has (1) discovered scientifically
significant fossilized remains of nearly 12 extinct
mammals from the last glacial period- the
Pleistocene; (2) obtained core and shallow
excavation samples of previously unexplored buried
land surfaces that have been shown to contain plant
remains of a paleoecology associated with the
extinct animals; and (3) begun construction of
paleoenvironmental/ paleoclimatological model for
the late Pleistocene based on these data obtained
from our undersea research. A total of three dives
with approximately four hours of observations were
completed covering over six miles of sand-bottom
habitat at Gray's Reef. A systematic transect
search method was employed running North/South
transect for 15 minute intervals. One fossil was
observed during the search that seemed to have been
from a large mammal, probably the leg bone of a
bison. Unfortunately, the manipulator arm in the
submersible was not functioning so the fossil
sample could not be collected for further testing.
The submersibles proved to be a good searching tool
for large areas and will be used again for this
project. Tom
Potts and Tom Zemianeck record
DeepWorker's life support readings and
monitoring through-water communications
from the chase boat. Sea Turtle Population Survey No submersible dives were made for this project but turtles were observed on two of the submersible dives. Turtles were observed swimming and feeding in the high relief live bottom habitat and sleeping in the sand flats area. More dedicated dives with systematic searches will be required for this project. |
||||||||||
