ECOMAR; Ecosystem of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at the Sub-Polar Front and Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Inst of Biological and Environmental Sci
Abstract
ECOMAR is a £2 million project aimed at understanding how physical and biogeochemical factors influence the distributions and structure of deep-sea communities, focusing on the fauna of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 4 sites in different environmental settings. The four sites are located on either side of the MAR and to the north and south of the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ), which coincides with the Sub-Polar Front. Using these localities we will investigate the effects of topography and currents on the distribution of the fauna, and the effects of varying organic input in two different biogeochemical settings. The work will focus on rocky slope fauna and sediment pockets in mixed bottoms rather than hydrothermal vents, which are relatively well known. In addition the MAR fauna will be compared with similar rocky slope fauna on the European and American continental margins to determine broad principals on the influence of physical and biogeochemical factors on the composition of the benthic fauna. The MAR is frontier territory and will lead to many new exciting discoveries. We will study the physical, chemical and biological environment of the MAR in terms of circulation, production, biomass and biodiversity. The MAR is a topographically difficult place to sample, which has no doubt contributed to the current lack of knowledge of this region. Therefore ECOMAR will employ the latest technologies to overcome this problem including precision acoustic sensors, instrumented moorings, autonomous lander vehicles, suspended camera systems and the new 6,500m rated research ROV Isis. The first of three proposed cruises to the region will produce detailed bathymetric maps of the study sites to aid deployment of instrument moorings and sampling equipment. In addition intensive CTD sampling will be employed to characterise the circulation in the vicinity of the Sub-Polar Front and provide calibration data for ongoing remote sensing research. The subsequent cruises will continue sampling programmes for pelagic biology using modern acoustic techniques as well as nets. In addition targeted benthic sampling and experimentation will take place using towed cameras and lander vehicles. Finally the ROV Isis will provide the only means of documenting and sampling the fauna of the MAR in addition to taking precision samples for geochemical analysis. The presence of the Sub-Polar Front and influence of the North Atlantic Current (NAC) provide for contrasting production regimes with cold, fresh and well stratified waters creating a biologically productive region to the north of the CGFZ. In contrast the waters to the south are warm, saline and less productive. The strength and position of the NAC will be monitored during the ECOMAR project to allow accurate estimates of export production to the benthos of the MAR. The use of remote sensing technologies, coupled with shipboard biological and physical measurements, will allow patterns of primary production over the MAR to be studied at higher spatial and temporal resolutions. By integrating satellite estimations of primary production with shipboard measurements estimates of export flux can be made and then compared with data from an array of four sediment trap moorings. The supply of food to the deep-sea floor plays a major role in structuring benthic communities and driving rate processes such as reproduction, metabolism and activity. By measuring the composition and quantity of this material both as phytoplankton, zooplankton and sedimenting aggregates the ECOMAR project will be able to identify the driving forces behind observed patterns of abundance, biomass and diversity in the fauna of the MAR.
Organisations
Publications
Priede I
(2017)
Deep-Sea Fishes - Biology, Diversity, Ecology and Fisheries
Tilstone G
(2014)
Enhancement of primary production in the North Atlantic outside of the spring bloom, identified by remote sensing of ocean colour and temperature
in Remote Sensing of Environment
Tilstone G
(2015)
Comparison of new and primary production models using SeaWiFS data in contrasting hydrographic zones of the northern North Atlantic
in Remote Sensing of Environment
Osborn KJ
(2012)
Diversification of acorn worms (Hemichordata, Enteropneusta) revealed in the deep sea.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Pham CK
(2014)
Marine litter distribution and density in European seas, from the shelves to deep basins.
in PloS one
Priede IG
(2013)
Does presence of a mid-ocean ridge enhance biomass and biodiversity?
in PloS one
Ring AK
(2009)
Development of 10 microsatellite loci in the ling (Molva molva).
in Molecular ecology resources
Knutsen H
(2008)
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the deep-sea marine fish, the roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris).
in Molecular ecology resources
White TA
(2010)
Local selection and population structure in a deep-sea fish, the roundnose grenadier (Coryphaenoides rupestris).
in Molecular ecology
Knutsen H
(2009)
Bathymetric barriers promoting genetic structure in the deepwater demersal fish tusk (Brosme brosme).
in Molecular ecology
White TA
(2009)
Unexpected panmixia in a long-lived, deep-sea fish with well-defined spawning habitat and relatively low fecundity.
in Molecular ecology
Miller P
(2014)
Frequent locations of oceanic fronts as an indicator of pelagic diversity: Application to marine protected areas and renewables
in Marine Policy
Aguzzi J
(2012)
Shifting feeding behaviour of deep-sea buccinid gastropods at natural and simulated food falls
in Marine Ecology Progress Series
Martinez-Vicente V
(2012)
Contributions of phytoplankton and bacteria to the optical backscattering coefficient over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
in Marine Ecology Progress Series
White T
(2011)
Comparative assessment of population genetics and demographic history of two congeneric deep sea fish species living at different depths
in Marine Ecology Progress Series
Bell J
(2016)
Benthic megafauna on steep slopes at the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
in Marine Ecology
Priede I
(2010)
Deep-sea demersal fish species richness in the Porcupine Seabight, NE Atlantic Ocean: global and regional patterns
in Marine Ecology
Buhl-Mortensen L
(2010)
Biological structures as a source of habitat heterogeneity and biodiversity on the deep ocean margins
in Marine Ecology
Lopes D
(2013)
New data on glass sponges (Porifera, Hexactinellida) of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Part 1. Farreidae
in Marine Biology Research
Shields M
(2013)
Polynoid polychaetes of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and a new holothurian association
in Marine Biology Research
Kongsrud J
(2013)
Benthic polychaetes from the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the Azores and the Reykjanes Ridge
in Marine Biology Research
Gebruk A
(2013)
Benthos of the Sub-Polar Front Area on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Results of the ECOMAR Project
in Marine Biology Research
Molodtsova T
(2013)
Deep-sea mushroom soft corals (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Alcyoniidae) of the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
in Marine Biology Research
Priede I
(2013)
The ECO-MAR (Ecosystem of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at the Sub-Polar Front and Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone) project: description of the benthic sampling programme 2007-2010
in Marine Biology Research
Description | 1. The Mid Atlantic Ridge accounts of about half of the bathyal slope (200-3000 m) depth in North Atlantic. 2. Most of the animals there are the same as occur on slopes of the continents, Europe-Africa in the east and Americas in the West. 3. The total biomass in the Mid Atlantic Ridge area is the same as it would be if the ridge were not there. The living material is simply concentrated on the ridge instead of being spread throughout the deep-sea. 4. The strong connectivity between life on the ridge and the same species living on the continental slopes. |
Exploitation Route | The findings are important for management of resources and environment of the Mid Ocean. |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/features/story.aspx?id=1616&cookieConsent=A |
Description | The findings from the published papers are being used as international policy develops for management of sensitive areas on the high seas. Former PIs from ECOMAR are engaged in this process. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Regional Environmental Management Plan for the Mid Atlantic Ridge |
Geographic Reach | Australia |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | The results from ECOMAR are being used in discussions of proposals for a Regional Environmental Management Plan for the Mid Atlantic Ridge especially as any management of the ridge must take into account connectivity to continental margins. Former PIs from ECOMAR e.g Dr DAVID BILLETT of NOCS are engaged in this process. |