A Southeast Atlantic Deep-Ocean Observatory: First Experiences and Results

Authors

Michael F. Vardaro, Oregon State University
Philip M. Bagley, Aker Solutions - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
David M. Bailey, University of Glasgow - United Kingdom
B. J. Bett, University of Southampton - United Kingdom
Daniel O. B. Jones, National Oceanography Centre - Southampton, United Kingdom
Rosanna Milligan, University of Glasgow - United KingdomFollow
Imants G. Priede, University of Aberdeen - United Kingdom
Craig M. Risien, Oregon State University
Gilbert T. Rowe, Texas A&M University
H. A. Ruhl, University of Southampton - United Kingdom
Bomba B. Sangolay, Instituto Nacional de Investigacao Pesqueira - Luanda, Angola
Kenneth L. Smith Jr., Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Anne Walls, BP Exploration - Sunbury-on-Thames, United Kingdom
Jim Clarke, BP Exploration - Sunbury-on-Thames, United Kingdom

ORCID

0000-0002-8296-4780

ResearcherID

J-3058-2014

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Limnology and Oceanography: Methods

ISSN

1541-5856

Publication Date

6-2013

Abstract

The DELOS (Deep-ocean Environmental Long-term Observatory System) project is a long-term research program focused on understanding the impacts of oil and gas extraction on deep-sea ecosystems. We have installed two seafloor observation platforms, populated with ROV-serviced sensor modules, at 1400 m water depth in the Southeast Atlantic off the coast of Angola. The ‘impact’ Near-Field platform is located 50 m from subsea oil production facilities. The ‘control’ Far-Field platform is 16 km distant from any industry seafloor activity. Each platform includes oceanographic, acoustic, and camera sensor modules. The latter carries two still cameras providing close-up and wide-angle views of the seabed. The Far-Field platform is also equipped with a sediment trap that deploys to 100 m above the seafloor. The instrumented platforms were installed in Feb 2009, and the sensor modules subsequently serviced in Aug 2009, Feb 2010, and Aug 2010. Here, we report on our first experiences of operating the observatories and present some of the first data. The oceanographic data (temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration) and biological observations (demersal fish and benthic invertebrates) suggest that the two study sites have near identical environmental characteristics. We, therefore, believe that these sites are appropriate as control and impact locations for long-term monitoring of potential anthropogenic effects referenced to natural background environmental variation. We suggest that DELOS-type observatories, particularly operated as pairs (or in networks), are a highly effective means of appropriately monitoring deep-water resource exploitation—both hydrocarbon extraction and mineral mining.

DOI

10.4319/lom.2013.11.304

Volume

11

Issue

6

First Page

304

Last Page

315

Comments

©2013, by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Inc.

NSUWorks Citation

Michael F. Vardaro, Philip M. Bagley, David M. Bailey, B. J. Bett, Daniel O. B. Jones, Rosanna Milligan, Imants G. Priede, Craig M. Risien, Gilbert T. Rowe, H. A. Ruhl, Bomba B. Sangolay, Kenneth L. Smith Jr., Anne Walls, and Jim Clarke. 2013. A Southeast Atlantic Deep-Ocean Observatory: First Experiences and Results .Limnology and Oceanography: Methods , (6) : 304 -315. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/868.