2 experimental frames were deployed at each location. In September/October 2007 one panel was successfully recovered at each location. The second panel was recovered in 2008 allowing the measurement of the exact ratio of carbon production and degradation over a period of two years.

In addition, sample material of a new species of deep-sea giant oyster, corals and other calcareous organisms was recovered during the dives.  The new oyster species Neopycnodonte zibrowii was described within this project.

Wisshak M, Neumann C, Jakobsen J & Freiwald A (2009) The “living-fossil community” of the cyrtocrinoid Cyathidium foresti and the deep-sea oyster Neopycnodonte zibrowii (Azores Archipelago). Palaeontology, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 279:235-236

Wisshak M, López Correa M, Gofas S, Salas C, Taviani M, Jakobsen J & Freiwald A (2009) Shell architecture, element composition, and stable isotope signature of the deep-sea oyster Neopycnodonte zibrowii sp. n. from the NE Atlantic. Deep-Sea Research I 56:374-404

“Monitoring Carbonate Production and Degradation (Azores, Portugal)”

Projekt code DFG-Fr 1134/12, 3-year project (2006 – 2008), a collaboration with the Institute of Palaeontology of the University of Erlangen/Germany, Dr. Max Wisshak.

With the aid of the submersible LULA, experimental frames were deployed at various depths (50, 150 and 500 meters) in the south Faial Channel. The experimental panels carried carbonate and PVC substrates as well as data loggers for measuring temperature and salinity. Further panels were deployed by scuba divers in shallow water (5 and 15 meters deep). 

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Life specimen of the oyster were dated and proved that this animal can reach more than 520 years of life, being the oldest known animal!