EAF-Nansen Programme
bone and wook package
Photo Courtesy of IMR
Recent studies have shown that two important sources of highly-localised and enriched organic matter in the deep sea are the sunken carcasses of dead whales and large pieces of wood which have been washed out to sea.
These large inputs of organic matter can support a highly specialised microbial and invertebrate fauna. During this 2009-410 Seamount cruise, two moorings, each carrying a package of minke, fin and sperm whale bones and a package of mango wood logs, were deployed to two seamount sites from the Research Vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen. These moorings will remain in place until recovery by ROV in late 2011.
bone and wook package
Photo Courtesy of IMR
Recent studies have shown that two important sources of highly-localised and enriched organic matter in the deep sea are the sunken carcasses of dead whales and large pieces of wood which have been washed out to sea.
These large inputs of organic matter can support a highly specialised microbial and invertebrate fauna. During this 2009-410 Seamount cruise, two moorings, each carrying a package of minke, fin and sperm whale bones and a package of mango wood logs, were deployed to two seamount sites from the Research Vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen. These moorings will remain in place until recovery by ROV in late 2011.