EUROFLEETS2 Funded Project “DeepMap” Results

Project Acronym &Title: DeepMap – Mapping the deep: the application of predictively modelled maps to European spatial planning

Area: Porcupine Seabight and Hatton-Rockall Basin (NE Atlantic)

Research Vessel: RV Celtic Explorer, Marine Institute, Ireland

Chief scientist: Kerry Howell, Plymouth University, UK

Other project partners: Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (UK). https://www.cefas.co.uk/

Date: July 15 – 26, 2015

Dr Kerry Howell, Plymouth University, UK

“This EUROFLEETS2 funded project has given us a fantastic opportunity to finally test whether we are yet able to accurately predict where deep-sea vulnerable marine ecosystems, like cold water coral reefs and deep-sea sponge grounds, will be found. This is really important in informing what role predictive mapping can take in how we manage Europe’s marine environment now and in in the future.” – Dr Kerry Howell, Plymouth University, UK.

We launched from Galway in Ireland on 15th July 2015, straight into stormy weather which did not help many scientists to get their sea legs! 3 ROV transects and 3 CTD deployments were undertaken in the Hatton Rockall Basin before the weather worsened again and required we transit back to Porcupine Bank, unfortunately resulting in the omission of planned sites on Rockall Bank which were also affected by the weather system. A further 13 ROV transects and 5 CTD deployments were carried out on Porcupine Bank and in the Porcupine Seabight.

This sampling regime resulted in the discovery of four new cold water coral reef sites, and re-confirmed the existence of large sponge aggregations in the Porcupine Seabight.
Model validation: The high resolution models appeared to be the better predictor of cold water coral reefs with 100% correct predictions (albeit from a limited dataset), lending support to the use of these high resolution models in spatial management. In the case of the sponge aggregations however, it was the low resolution models which appeared to perform the best. Further analysis is required to fully understand why this may be the case, but this suggests that there are broad scale drivers to the distribution of these aggregations.

Marine optics: To study the optical properties of Colour Dissolved Organic Material (CDOM) many samples of seawater obtained from the CTD were filtered and then analysed with a spectrometer. This data will increase our understanding of the role that these light absorbing compounds play in the optical dynamics of coastal and oceanic waters.
Ocean Biology: The water samples taken with the CTD will also allow us to learn something about the smaller organisms of the ocean e.g. the picophytoplancton size-class and bacteria. On the cruise a flow cytometer was used to count the numbers of these particles in the water. Analysis of the measurements will be carried out soon.
Radon: To study the Radon concentration in the water column the Radon quartet was determined by adsorption onto MnO2 coated acrylic fibres followed by alpha counting of their Radon decay products using a radium delayed coincidence counter. Analysis of the measures will be carried out later on land.

Animals collected: 35 samples of the deep-sea glass sponge Pheronema carpenteri were obtained for population genetic analysis, and 31 samples for silicate analysis. In addition, various samples of other sponges (including Hyalonema sp. and Aphrocallistes sp.) corals (live and dead Lophelia pertusa and Solenosmillia variabilis) and other benthic fauna associated with the VMEs were taken for species verification. None of the animals attempted to be kept in aquaria survived; it is unknown whether they were alive upon arrival at the surface.

Fluorescein experiments: Harmless fluorescein dye was dissolved in seawater and stored in an airtight bag with a weight on top. A simple hose with a handle (so that it could be grabbed or kinked by the ROV) was used to deliver dye at the base of Pheronema carpenteri and Hyalonema sp animals in situ. Preliminary observations showed that sponge pumping could be detected in these deep-sea sponges (see video), and that it is probably slower than in shallow water animals. Furthermore animals prodded with the hose in advance of delivery took a lot longer to pump the dye suggestive of a behavioural response when disturbed. Administering dye is a useful method to determine whether individual sponges were alive or dead. This was a proof of concept and can be used in the future to measure sponge pumping rates in the deep-sea.

Training students: 4 PhD students and 6 undergraduate students had the experience of a lifetime through joining the cruise, and others have benefited back on land through undertaking student projects using the data collected.

Overall, the cruise was considered a great success.