Scientists Observe Damage to Deep-sea Corals

Government and academic scientists on a multi-week expedition to explore deep-sea coral habitats in the Gulf of Mexico have observed corals and associated communities of marine life that show evidence of recent damage. Today marks the conclusion of this year's cruise, the fourth of a multiyear collaboration sponsored by NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE).

A single colony of coral with dying and dead sections (on left), apparently living tissue (top right) and bare skeleton with very sickly looking brittle star on the base. High resolution (Credit: Image courtesy of Lophelia II 2010 Expedition, NOAA-OER/BOEMRE.)

Operating from the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown and using a variety of tools including the National Deep Submergence Facility's Jason II remotely-operated vehicle (ROV), researchers were working at a site 1,400 meters deep (roughly 4,600 feet) and approximately seven miles southwest of the Macondo wellhead when they visually observed dead and dying corals with sloughing tissue and discoloration.

Charles Fisher, Ph.D., professor of biology at Penn State University and chief scientist on the expedition, described much of the soft coral observed in an area measuring about 15 to 40 meters as covered by what appeared to be a brown substance. Ninety percent of 40 large corals were heavily affected and showed dead and dying parts and discoloration. Another site 400 meters away had a colony of stony coral similarly affected and partially covered with a similar brown substance.

The 2010 expedition revisited many sites from missions in previous years and documented that in nearly all cases, there was no observed change. Until laboratory analyses are conducted, scientists cannot be certain what caused the impacts. Sediment and coral samples were collected with the ROV and were brought to the surface for analyses. Further testing will also determine if the substance is oil, and if so, whether it is consistent with the release from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

"These observations capture our concern for impacts to marine life in places in the Gulf that are not easily seen," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary for commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "Continued, ongoing research and monitoring involving academic and government scientists are essential for comprehensive understanding of impacts to the Gulf."

"Through the continued work of ongoing research projects such as this, BOEMRE scientists, other government scientists, academia and the public can better understand the potential effects of offshore energy exploration and development, including the possible effects of the Deepwater Horizon blowout and spill," said BOEMRE director Michael R. Bromwich. "Today's preliminary observations highlight the need for continued scientific research in the Gulf of Mexico.

"While this mission was not designed to be focused on oil spill research, the timing and location provided an opportunity to observe any impacts to our research areas," said Fisher.

Source: National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration