Abstract:

This dataset contains images of corals obtained at six sites in the area around the Macondo well. The images were taken on the E/V Nautilus cruises NA057 and NA058, 2015-04-22 to 2015-05-11. Four sites were re-imaged (MC294, MC297, MC344, MC258), while the MC462 and AT357 were sampled for the first time. The dataset contains an image inventory as well as the JPG files themselves. Metabolomic data obtained on the cruise is available in R4.x268.185:0004 (doi: 10.7266/n7-n3hr-pz39), and coral images from 2016 and 2017, as well as analysis, are available in R4.x268.000:0131 (doi: 10.7266/8a2xrm9k).

Suggested Citation:

Chuck Fisher. 2017. Coral images around Macondo, Gulf of Mexico, obtained on the E/VNautilus cruises NA057 and NA058, 2015-04-22 - 2015-05-11. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7CF9NH9

Publications:

Girard, F., Shea, K., & Fisher, C. R. (2018). Projecting the recovery of a long-lived deep-sea coral species after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill using state-structured models. Journal of Applied Ecology. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.13141

Girard, F., & Fisher, C. R. (2018). Long-term impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on deep-sea corals detected after seven years of monitoring. Biological Conservation, 225, 117–127. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2018.06.028

Girard, F., Cruz, R., Glickman, O., Harpster, T., & Fisher, C. R. (2019). In situ growth of deep-sea octocorals after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Elem Sci Anth, 7(1), 12. doi:10.1525/elementa.349

Osman, E. O., Vohsen, S. A., Girard, F., Cruz, R., Glickman, O., Bullock, L. M., Anderson, K. E., Weinnig, A. M., Cordes, E. E., Fisher, C. R., & Baums, I. B. (2022). Capacity of deep‐sea corals to obtain nutrition from cold seeps aligned with microbiome reorganization. Global Change Biology. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16447

Purpose:

E/V Nautilus cruises NA057 and NA058: Ecosystem Impacts of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf of Mexico (ECOGIG II) consortia cruise to monitor corals around the Macondo well, set up experiments, and sample corals and sediments.

Data Parameters and Units:

. Imaging logs: time start [HMMSS], time end [HHMMSS], vehicle heading [degrees], coral sample name, species, notes. Image inventory: Site name, file name, colony designation, coral species.

Methods:

1) We revisited four known deep water coral sites near the Macondo well (MC294, MC297, MC344, MC258) to re-image corals with the ROV and use the data to follow the outcome of impact (or lack of impact) on the corals from the Deep Water Horizon Disaster. At each of these sites, between 40 – 80 specific individual coral colonies were revisited and imaged. New corals at one new site near Macondo (MC462) were imaged for the first time. Physical markers on the sea floor were used to aid in locating each coral and calibration of navigation to previous visits was adequate. Five push cores were taken at each of these sites for infauna analysis. 2) We set up a new study at three sites (AT357, MC751, and MC885). At each site we set up three sampling/imaging sites in areas with active seepage and three others in areas without active seepage. At each site we image about ten corals, sampled two corals, and took one push core. Corals were sub-sampled for stable isotope analysis, metabolome, transcriptome and microbiome analyses. Push cores were subsampled for 14C analysis, microbial analysis, and macrofauna for stable isotope analysis. 3) We collected live Lophelia, Leiopathes (at VK 906) and assorted octocorals for later laboratory studies on live animals. 4) We deployed the McLean water sampler for filter samples of benthic water column bacteria on 3 dives (MC357, MC751, VK 906).

Individual Files: