DISCOVRE 2009

August 6-17, 2009

Cruise Plan

As we left Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, we had dolphins running in our bow wave. - click to enlarge

In this first cruise of 2009, we will be exploring deep coral ecosystems in the south Atlantic, off Cape Canaveral, Florida. The primary research objectives are to examine and classify deep coral reef habitats and their associated fauna and compare them with non-reef environments. We will be using the RV Seward Johnson combined with the 4-person submersible Johnson-Sea-Link. The sub will be used to conduct photographic surveys of the deep coral habitats and collect coral and coral inhabitants for genetics, microbiology, food-web, and community studies. These specimens will be used to characterize the biological diversity, population connectivity, and food webs of deep coral habitats. Lastly, we will conduct multibeam mapping of the study sites. Please select a cruise log for day to day updates.

Ask a Question of a Scientist On Board! The Life on the Edge team encourages you to submit questions.

Look at Pictures in the Multimedia Gallery

Media Inquiries: Gary Brewer, (304) 724-4507, gbrewer@usgs.gov