Specific aims are:
1) To identify, describe and classify distinct acoustic facies at Condor de Terra and slopes off Faial and Pico combining habitat type with biological data;
2) To map the distribution of cold-water coral communities;
3) To identify and quantify the key species of the faunas associated to cold-water corals communities;
4) To assess the functional role of cold-water coral ecosystems as fish habitat;
5) To develop a predictive model of the distribution of cold-water coral species, using GIS and environmental data.


During several dives, the Klein 3000 sidescan sonar was mounted to the submersible, to obtain high resolution acoustic data from the seafloor, even in inclined terrain and with an ideal distance from the sea bottom, to obtain unprecedented mapping resolution of the seamount benthic communities.

Simultaneously, video footage was recorded at all times from the onboard HD camera. Thus, complementary analysis of the acoustic and video images is possible.
 

CORAZON Project

Mid-depth benthic communities of conservation importance in the Azores: cold-water coral ecosystems

This 3-year research project is a collaboration with the IMAR-DOP/University of the Azores (PTDC/MAR/72169/2006-CORAZON)

The project aims to explore deep-sea habitats of the Azores and to improve the knowledge about the distribution and extension of cold-water coral communities and associated fauna. Modern technologies providing acoustic data for seafloor mapping are used. Deep-sea imaging is performed by submersible dives.

Corals for CoralLab:

4 different life species of cold-water corals were collected during an immersion with LULA, with the aid of a specifically designed sampling box which allowed to collect water from the deep together with the corals. The corals were transferred to CoralLab aquariums at surface, where they are being studied. Amongst others, different ambiental conditions will be simulated, to study effects on the corals´ calcarious skeleton.

All images are property of the Rebikoff-Niggeler Foundation and must not be copied or used without prior consent.