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

Abstract

The ECOMAR project conducted 4 cruises to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) in the summer months of the years 2007–2010 making repeat visits to 4 stations at 2500 m depth on the flanks of the MAR; a pair of northern stations at 54°N and southern stations at 49°N. Swath bathymetry surveys across the ridge revealed a pattern of sediment-covered flat terraces parallel to the axis of the MAR with intervening steep rocky slopes. Benthic fauna were sampled by otter trawl, megacorer and a suite of tools carried by the ROV Isis including push cores, grabs and suction sampler. Video and photo surveys were done using the SHRIMP towed vehicle and ROV Isis. Additional surveying and sampling was done at 1050–822 m depth across the summit of a seamount located at 48°44′N, 28°10′W on the western crest of the MAR between the two southern stations.

Keywords:

• Atlantic Ocean
• mid-ocean ridge
• benthos
• trawling
• coring
• remotely operated vehicle

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Acknowledgements

The ECOMAR consortium is funded by UK Natural Environment Research Council grant NE/C512961/1. We thank colleagues in the ECOMAR and MARECO projects, ships’ companies of the RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, NEODASS Cruise support, CoML and the Sloan Foundation.

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark