The Growth of Marine Labs

Before the Challenger Expedition vessels only had room for few scientists. The rest of the scientists only got to see dead specimens. - good for structure of organisms. - no good for learning how they lived, functioned, and what they did. Scientists on board vessels were able to see how organisms lived but only for a short period of time. Biologists soon began to conduct studies on the seashore so they could perform long term research projects...

In 1872 Stazione Zoologica was founded in Naples by German biologists. In 1879 the Marine Biological Society of the United Kingdom was founded at Plymouth England. Between were considered the formative years for Woods Hole, the 1 st marine lab established in the U.S. World War II had a major impact on the development of marine biology. SONAR (SOund NAvigation Ranging) was a direct development as a result of World War II. Sonar is able to pick up sounds in the ocean made by underwater life, and more important to the Navy, sounds made by submarines.

The speed of sound through sea water is approximately 1500 m/s (meters per second). If it takes 30 seconds for sound to travel from the surface to the bottom and back, how deep is the water? 22,500 m( 30x1500 ) / 2 =

In the years right after WWII (late 40’s) the self contained underwater breathing apparatus, or SCUBA, was refined.

Data Collection Platforms Research Vessel (R/V) is a surface-bound ship equipped with navigational, sampling, and analytical equipment. Possible configurations include: 1.single-hulled ie. R/V Thomas G. Thompson 2. multi-hulled ie. R/V Kilo Moana 3. spoon-shaped buoy FLIP’s unconventional design maximizes its analytical capabilities in rough seas creating a more stable platform for collection of data by precise instruments effected by heavy waves.

Deep Submergence Vessels (DSV) are high-tech submarines capable of reaching the deepest parts of the ocean. Examples include: Trieste Trieste – An early DSV displaying the classic deep submergence vessel design components. Alvin Alvin – Perhaps the most famous DSV. One of its most memorable missions was the discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

Permanent Underwater Labs are underwater labs that allow long-term observation, collection & analysis. Some examples include: Hydrolab Hydrolab – The most famous and widely used habitat based in the Bahamas and Caribbean from 1972 to Aquarius Aquarius – Based in the Florida Keys. It is currently the world’s only underwater marine science lab.

Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is an unmanned vehicle controlled from the surface, allowing more hazardous missions while eliminating human risk. An example would be: Jason / Medea A two-body ROV system, with Medea serving as a base for Jason, which conducts more detailed observation.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle - AUV is an unmanned vehicle pre- programmed to do their jobs independently of direct human control. An example is:AUV A utonomous B enthic E xplorer A utonomous B enthic E xplorer - ABE is the first underwater robotic vehicle of its kind. Its tether-less design allows it to cover large areas of underwater terrain. ABE

Remote sensing technology – involves the use of satellites and computers. Can be used to: measure sea surface temperature track ocean currents track weather measure populations monitor human impacts