Header image for expedition: Lophelia II 2010: Oil Seeps and Deep Reefs

Lophelia II 2010: Oil Seeps and Deep Reefs

Image and Video Gallery

This page contains photos and videos associated with the Lophelia II 2010: Oil Seeps and Deep Reefs expedition. Click on any image or video to view a larger version and for additional information.

The sea fan Callogorgia gracilis with the brittle star Asteroschema sp. in its typical outstretched form clinging to the coral branches. The coral is also colonized by a type of anemone (shown on the right side of the image) that grows on the dead branches of many species of deep water corals, and is a common natural occurrence. This coral and associated species were observed during leg 1 of the cruise at approximately 300 meters depth in the Green Canyon area, over 300 km from the Deepwater Horizon site.

Sea fan Callogorgia gracilis with brittle star Asteroschema sp. in its typical outstretched form clinging to the coral branches.

The sea fan Paramuricea< sp. with the symbiotic brittle star Asteroschema< sp. from a site in the Garden Banks region of the Gulf of Mexico. This apparently healthy coral was observed during the first leg of the cruise at approximately 360 meters depth and over 450 km away from the site of the Deepwater Horizon.

Sea fan Paramuricea sp. with the symbiotic brittle star Asteroschema sp. from a site in the Garden Banks region of the Gulf of Mexico.

One of the impacted corals with attached brittle starfish. Although the orange tips on some branches of the coral is the color of living tissue, it is unlikely that any living tissue remains on this animal.

The orange tips on some branches of this coral is the color of living tissue, but it is unlikely that any living tissue remains on this animal.

One of the impacted corals with an attached brittle starfish and an anemone in a typical place on the coral. Living tissue, including the coral polyps, can be seen here as olive colored with bare patches revealing skeleton and attached brown flocculent material.

Starfish and Anemone

One of the impacted corals with an attached brittle starfish and an anemone in a typical place on the coral.

A portion of one of the impacted corals and two attached brittle starfish. Living tissue is orange and most of the skeleton is bare or covered by brown flocculent material. The brittle starfish are normal symbiotic partners of this type of coral. The brittle star on the left shows a more normal coloration for this species and the individual on the right is bleached white and much more tightly wrapped around the branch than normal. Both starfish were uncharacteristically immobile.

Impacted Corals

A portion of one of the impacted corals and two attached brittle starfish.

A closeup view of the upper portion of a yellow octocoral with parts of branches, with tissues and polyps present, covered with a brown flocculent material.

Yellow Octocoral

A closeup view of the upper portion of a yellow octocoral with parts of branches, with tissues and polyps present.

A potentially dying coral colony with two attached brittle stars and two anemones. A small amount of apparently living tissue on some branches is orange to olive in color. Portions of the skeleton lacking tissue or covered by brown flocculent material. The brittle starfish is a normal symbiont of this type of coral, however the bleached white color of the arms is not typical.

A potentially dying coral colony with two attached brittle stars and two anemones.

Three corals near the center of the site. Two corals covered in brown flocculent material (at left) with apparently no living tissues, and one coral (lower right) with still living (yellow) tissues.

Three corals near the center of the site.

A coral atop one of highest points within the site showing still living coral tissue mostly encompassed by a brittle seastar with other branches lacking tissue and feeding polyps covered with brown flocculent material.

Flocculent Material

A coral atop one of highest points within the site showing still living coral tissue.

A close up of one of the impacted corals and an attached brittle star. A small amount of apparently living tissue on some branches is orange. Most of the skeleton is bare or covered by brown flocculent material. The brittle starfish is a normal symbiont of this type of coral, however the bleached white color is not normal.

A close up of one of the impacted corals and an attached brittle star.

A close up of one of the impacted corals. A small amount of apparently living tissue on the tips of some branches is orange. Most of the skeleton is bare or covered by brown flocculent material.

A small amount of apparently living tissue on the tips of some branches is orange. Most of the skeleton is bare or covered by brown flocculent material.

Normally yellow vibrant coral colonies here with seemingly dark “wilted” or reduced polyps. The commonly symbiotic brittle star starfish do not typically have a white (bleached) arms as seen here.

Normally yellow vibrant coral colonies here with seemingly dark “wilted” or reduced polyps.

Fisher Coral

Normally yellow vibrant coral colonies here with seemingly dark “wilted” or reduced polyps.

The gorgonian sea fan Callogorgia americana and symbiotic brittle stars from a site at approximately 350 meters depth in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. In the bottom left of the image are some small, brown anemones that have colonized a portion of the skeleton of the sea fan.

The gorgonian sea fan Callogorgia americana and symbiotic brittle stars from a site at approximately 350 meters depth in the Green Canyon area.

We discovered the stack intact resting beside the starboard hull. The aft side of the stack is facing up revealing the ladder and whistle.

We discovered the stack intact resting beside the starboard hull. The aft side of the stack is facing up revealing the ladder and whistle.

An orange brisingid basket star on the large Lophelia pertusa reef at 450 m depth in Viosca Knoll 826. At the top of the image is a school of Beryx fish swimming over the top of the reef.

An orange brisingid basket star on the large Lophelia pertusa reef at 450 m depth in Viosca Knoll 826.

A down-looking mosaic of a coral community at 1400m depth, including a variety of hard and soft corals.

A down-looking mosaic of a coral community at 1400m depth, including a variety of hard and soft corals.

A field of the soft coral Callogorgia sp. with its ophiuroid symbiont.

A field of the soft coral Callogorgia sp. with its ophiuroid symbiont.

Lophelia pertusa, Leiopathes glabberima, and an assortment of anemones on Roberts Reef.

Reef Assortment

Lophelia pertusa, Leiopathes glabberima, and an assortment of anemones on Roberts Reef.

Down-looking mosaic of Lophelia covering the bow of the sister ship to the Gulfoil, the Gulf Penn.

Down-looking mosaic of Lophelia covering the bow of the sister ship to the Gulfoil, the Gulf Penn.

Ophiuroids on Lophelia pertusa, Callogorgia americana, and other gorgonians at Roberts Reef.

Ophiuroids on Lophelia pertusa, Callogorgia americana, and other gorgonians at Roberts Reef.

Mosaic of a large colony of Lophelia on the bow of the Gulf Penn. Some of the largest Lophelia reefs in the Gulf are situated on these man-made structures.

Mosaic of a large colony of Lophelia on the bow of the Gulf Penn. Some of the largest Lophelia reefs in the Gulf are situated on these man-made structures.

The tanker Gulfoil, prior to being sunk by a German U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico in 1942.

The tanker Gulfoil, prior to being sunk by a German U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico in 1942.

Side scan sonar mosaic of the Gulfoil shipwreck site.

Side Scan Sonar

Side scan sonar mosaic of the Gulfoil shipwreck site.

Colony of Lophelia pertusa with polyps extended for feeding.

Colony of Lophelia pertusa with polyps extended for feeding.

A L. pertusa reef with a school of Beryx splendens.

A L. pertusa reef with a school of Beryx splendens.

Two invertebrates commonly found associated with L. pertusa: the squat lobster Euminida picta (left) and the sea urchin Echinus sp. (right).

Lobster and Urchin

Two invertebrates commonly found associated with L. pertusa: the squat lobster Euminida picta (left) and the sea urchin Echinus sp. (right).

A forward looking mosaic of the coral community at Marker F at 550 m depth, including colonies of the white scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa, whip corals and abundant crinoids and squat lobsters.

A forward looking mosaic of the coral community at Marker F at 550 m depth, including colonies of the white scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa, whip corals and abundant crinoids and squat lobsters.

Although known as black corals because of the jewelry made from the black skeleton of the corals, in the Gulf of Mexico these Antipatharians in the genus Leiopathes come in colors ranging from white, through peach to orange and red.

Although known as black corals because of the jewelry made from the black skeleton of the corals, in the Gulf of Mexico these Antipatharians in the genus Leiopathes come in colors ranging from white, through peach to orange and red.

Photo taken on May 27 near the Deepwater Horizon spill convergence zone, showing dark brown and red emulsion oil. Good baseline data of natural ecosystems is crucial to assessing the impact and potential recovery of areas affected by the spill.

Deepwater Horizon Spill

Photo taken on May 27 near the Deepwater Horizon spill convergence zone, showing dark brown and red emulsion oil. Good baseline data of natural ecosystems is crucial to assessing the impact and potential recovery of areas affected by the spill.

The gorgonian sea fan Callogorgia americana and symbiotic brittle stars from a site at approximately 350 meters depth in the Green Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. In the bottom left of the image are some small, brown anemones that have colonized a portion of the skeleton of the sea fan.

The gorgonian sea fan Callogorgia americana and symbiotic brittle stars from a site at approximately 350 meters…

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.

A single colony of coral with dying and dead sections (on left), apparently living tissue (top right) and bare skeleton with…

Ensign Bryan Begun is the Safety Officer aboard the Ronald H. Brown. Friendly and personable, Bryan easily mingled with the science team.

Ensign Bryan Begun is the Safety Officer aboard the Ronald H. Brown. Friendly and personable, Bryan easily mingled…

Bruce Cowden, the Ronald H Brown’s bosun, is also an artist. Lead Scientist, Dr. Chuck Fisher, asked him to capture the expedition in a watercolor.

Bruce Cowden, the Ronald H Brown’s bosun, is also an artist. Lead Scientist, Dr. Chuck Fisher, asked him to capture…

A “constellation“ of brittestars on the seafloor (538 meters).

A “constellation“ of brittestars on the seafloor (538 meters).

Close up of Walter Cho examining a brittlestar in the lab.

Close up of Walter Cho examining a brittlestar in the lab.

The graceful fantail of the ship is completely obscured by Lophelia communities.

Obscured Fantail

The graceful fantail of the ship is completely obscured by Lophelia communities.

Black-bellied rose fish find shelter within a mass of Lophelia.

Black-bellied rose fish find shelter within a mass of Lophelia.

A section of hull covered in small clusters of Lophelia. The area is also inhabited by Venus flytrap anemones and Eumunida picta (a species of squat lobster).

Obscured Fantail

A section of hull covered in small clusters of Lophelia. The area is also inhabited by Venus flytrap anemones and Eumunida picta (a species of squat lobster).

The ventilator thrown from the ship in the sinking blast supplies Gooseneck barnacles with a surface to grow upon.

The ventilator thrown from the ship in the sinking blast supplies Gooseneck barnacles with a surface to grow upon.

Rising over 10 meters off the seafloor, the bow and stowed anchors bear mute testimony to the 1942 catastrophe.

1942 Catastrophe

Rising over 10 meters off the seafloor, the bow and stowed anchors bear mute testimony to the 1942 catastrophe.

Empty gun casings are scattered across the rear deck near the 4-inch gun mounted at the stern.

Empty gun casings are scattered across the rear deck near the 4-inch gun mounted at the stern.

Although partially hidden by draping Lophelia, the letters G U L F O I are still visible across the transom.

Although partially hidden by draping Lophelia, the letters G U L F O I are still visible across the transom.

Large rusticles drip from the scarred hull of the GulfOil where the torpedo ripped through.

Large Rusticles

Large rusticles drip from the scarred hull of the GulfOil where the torpedo ripped through.

Large scale photo mosaics help scientists relocate sites that have been previously studied.

Large scale photo mosaics help scientists relocate sites that have been previously studied.

Bathymetric maps guide scientists as they explore the seafloor for coral and reef sites. Adding color to the maps provides visual cues. Later collection data and marker data can be added to the GIS information creating enriched visual information systems.

Bathymetric Maps

Bathymetric maps guide scientists as they explore the seafloor for coral and reef sites. Adding color to the maps provides visual cues. Later collection data and marker data can be added to the GIS information creating enriched visual information systems.

Photo mosaics are created using a series of photographs that overlap along a straight transect. Several transects are then “stitched” together to form the overall picture.

Photo mosaics are created using a series of photographs that overlap along a straight transect. Several transects are then “stitched” together to form the overall picture.

The Jason ROV’s robotic arm collects several stalks of black coral from the seafloor. Dannise Ruiz is currently studying three black coral populations on the second leg of the expedition.

The Jason ROV’s robotic arm collects several stalks of black coral from the seafloor. Dannise Ruiz is currently…

Hoisting the sediment trap aboard after recovery.

Hoisting the sediment trap aboard after recovery.

Hoisting the sediment trap aboard after recovery.

Hoisting the sediment trap aboard after recovery.

Monitoring the ROV’s pan and tilt science camera feed from the main lab.

Monitoring the ROV’s pan and tilt science camera feed from the main lab.

Entering sample data in the main science lab.

Entering sample data in the main science lab.

Throughout the day scientists and grad students ready the samples for transport back to the labs on land.

Throughout the day scientists and grad students ready the samples for transport back to the labs on land.

Bringing the ROV set Medea and Jason home aboard the research vessel, Ronald Brown is just the beginning of the research.

Bringing ROVs Home

Bringing the ROV set Medea and Jason home aboard the research vessel, Ronald Brown is just the beginning of the research.

Knowing where the science sampling occurred is critical to future analysis. Lead Scientist, Erik Cordes, goes over each track plot meticulously insuring that the data collection is tied to real space and time.

Knowing where the science sampling occurred is critical to future analysis. Lead Scientist, Erik Cordes, goes over each track plot meticulously insuring that the data collection is tied to real space and time.

The Jason, flight crew know exactly where the ROV is at all times and through a series of cameras mounted on the ROV can capture images and video of the scientific work.

The Jason, flight crew know exactly where the ROV is at all times and through a series of cameras mounted on the ROV can capture images and video of the scientific work.

Once the samples are up the documentation and analysis begins. Pen-Yuan Hsing is measuring mussels.

Measuring Mussels.

Once the samples are up the documentation and analysis begins. Pen-Yuan Hsing is measuring mussels.

Throughout the day scientists and grad students ready the samples for transport back to the labs on land.

Sample Transport

Throughout the day scientists and grad students ready the samples for transport back to the labs on land.

The days are long and as the saying goes, “the nights are longer.” A common schedule is for the ROV to launch at 4pm and come up at 8am the next morning. Documentation and specimen prep goes on during the day. But even the most dedicated need some rest and relaxation.

The days are long and as the saying goes, “the nights are longer.” A common schedule is for the ROV to launch at 4pm and come up at 8am the next morning. Documentation and specimen prep goes on during the day. But even the most dedicated need some rest and relaxation.

Morning recovery of the Jason ROV onto the Ron Brown.

Morning recovery of the Jason ROV onto the Ron Brown.

Ian Macdonald in the lab aboard the Ron Brown.

Ian Macdonald in the lab aboard the Ron Brown.

Live, bright white Lophelia coral is typically found amidst large amounts of dead coral.

Live, bright white Lophelia coral is typically found amidst large amounts of dead coral.

The MacDonald group's camera deployed on a coral mound.

The MacDonald group's camera deployed on a coral mound.

Collecting corals with the Jason manipulator arm.

Collecting Corals

Collecting corals with the Jason manipulator arm.

This large rock outcropping is covered with gorgonian and scleractinian corals, including Lophelia, and home to a galatheid crab.

Rock Outcropping

This large rock outcropping is covered with gorgonian and scleractinian corals, including Lophelia, and home to a galatheid crab.

Microscopic view of the coral polyps of Paracalyptrophora sp. and Acanthogorgia sp. showing the differences in polyp morphology between species. Polyps of Paracalyptrophora are downward, and arranged in whorls whereas Acanthogorgia has non-contractile polyps projecting outward from the axis. Also, Paracalyptrophora has larger, flat sclerites whereas the sclerites of Acanthogorgia are thin, and spine-like.

Microscopic view of the coral polyps of Paracalyptrophora sp. and Acanthogorgia sp. showing the differences in polyp morphology between species. Polyps of Paracalyptrophora are downward, and arranged in whorls whereas Acanthogorgia has non-contractile polyps projecting outward from the axis. Also, Paracalyptrophora has larger, flat sclerites whereas the sclerites of Acanthogorgia are thin, and spine-like.

Microscopic view of the coral polyps of Paracalyptrophora sp. and Acanthogorgia sp. showing the differences in polyp morphology between species. Polyps of Paracalyptrophora are downward, and arranged in whorls whereas Acanthogorgia has non-contractile polyps projecting outward from the axis. Also, Paracalyptrophora has larger, flat sclerites whereas the sclerites of Acanthogorgia are thin, and spine-like.

Coral Polyps II

Microscopic view of the coral polyps of Paracalyptrophora sp. and Acanthogorgia sp. showing the differences in polyp morphology between species. Polyps of Paracalyptrophora are downward, and arranged in whorls whereas Acanthogorgia has non-contractile polyps projecting outward from the axis. Also, Paracalyptrophora has larger, flat sclerites whereas the sclerites of Acanthogorgia are thin, and spine-like.

Octocoral diversity

Octocoral Diversity

Octocoral diversity

Collecting a small branch of a coral colony in the Jason manipulator arm.

Coral Polyps II

Collecting a small branch of a coral colony in the Jason manipulator arm.

A carbonate rock outcropping with various corals and sponges on it. The fish that is featured is called Hoplostethus—a relative of the orange roughy. Further in the clip, a conger eel grabs one of the Hoplostethus.

A carbonate rock outcropping with various corals and sponges on it. The fish that is featured is called Hoplostethus—a relative of the orange roughy. Further in the clip, a conger eel grabs one of the Hoplostethus.

Video footage of a sixgill shark, a species of deep water shark fairly common in the Gulf of Mexico.

Video footage of a sixgill shark, a species of deep water shark fairly common in the Gulf of Mexico.

A scenic rock outcrop covered in deepwater coral and occupied by a galatheid crab.

A scenic rock outcrop covered in deepwater coral and occupied by a galatheid crab.

Lara Henry works with coral samples in one of the Ron Brown's cold rooms.

Lara Henry works with coral samples in one of the Ron Brown's cold rooms.

Jason II prepares to collect samples from a rocky outcrop covered in Lophelia.

Collecting Samples

Jason II prepares to collect samples from a rocky outcrop covered in Lophelia.

A diverse Lophelia coral community. This photo clearly shows how the living coral (white) builds upon the calcium carbonate skeletons (dark green) of previous generations.

Diverse Ccommunity

A diverse Lophelia coral community. This photo clearly shows how the living coral (white) builds upon the calcium carbonate skeletons (dark green) of previous generations.

The Spanish Dancer is a type of sea cucumber (Benthodytes) that is mesmerizing when it swims. We saw quite a few of them on the dive (and collected two).

The Spanish Dancer is a type of sea cucumber (Benthodytes) that is mesmerizing when it swims. We saw quite a few of them on…

A mussel bed at the edge of the brine pool.

A mussel bed at the edge of the brine pool.

These craters mark the formation of brine pools, from which salt has seeped through the seafloor and encrusted the nearby substrate.

These craters mark the formation of brine pools, from which salt has seeped through the seafloor and encrusted the nearby substrate.

Collection of the dead giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteous) found floating in the large brine pool, just visible in the background.

Collection of the dead giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteous) found floating in the large brine pool, just visible in the background.

Close up image of a clump of mussels. Forming dense beds, deep-sea mussels are often early colonizers at cold seeps.

Clump of Mussels

Close up image of a clump of mussels. Forming dense beds, deep-sea mussels are often early colonizers at cold seeps.

Close up of a tubeworm “bush”, which mines for sulfide in the carbonate substrate with their roots. The sulfide is metabolized by bacteria living in the tubeworms, and the energy produced sustains both organisms. It is a classic symbiotic relationship.

Clump of Mussels

Close up of a tubeworm “bush”, which mines for sulfide in the carbonate substrate with their roots. The sulfide is…

Seafloor photo mosaic, made up of more than a hundred images taken with the remote operated vehicle (ROV) Jason II. It shows the occurrence of the deep-water coral Lophelia pertusa.

Seafloor Mosaic

Seafloor photo mosaic, made up of more than a hundred images taken with the remote operated vehicle (ROV) Jason II. It shows…

The robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle samples a clump of deepwater coral.

The robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle samples a clump of deepwater coral.

The sediment trap is hauled back to the surface after chronicling the flow of sediment and biological material for a 10 month period, roughly 1,500 feet deep.

The sediment trap is hauled back to the surface after chronicling the flow of sediment and biological material for a 10 month…

Scientist Tim Shank handles one of the 21 ‘cups’ deployed with a sediment trap to collect both organic and inorganic matter over a two week period.

Scientist Tim Shank handles one of the 21 ‘cups’ deployed with a sediment trap to collect both organic and inorganic matter…

The control room aboard the Ron Brown lets researches get a close-up look at the position and status of deployed sediment traps.

The control room aboard the Ron Brown lets researches get a close-up look at the position and status of deployed sediment traps.

A colony of lophelia provides shelter for galatheid crabs and a firm foothold for anemones.

Crabs & Anemones

A colony of lophelia provides shelter for galatheid crabs and a firm foothold for anemones.