PI Country:
USA
PIs:
L. Levin
Institution:
Scripps
Ocean:
N. Pacific
Year:
2011
Start Date:
31 Aug 2011
End Date:
8 Sept 2011 (a) characterize the biotic diversity of authigenic, methane-derived carbonates at Hydrate Ridge seeps, from microbes to metazoans,
(b) identify the ecosystem-scale interactions among these groups including habitat alteration, colonization, trophic transfer,
(c) assess how proximity to methane seepage influences (a) and (b), define successional dynamics of carbonate ecosystems,
(d) determine the evolutionary affinities of carbonate faunas,
(e) refine our understanding of one of the most important paleoceanographic indicators, C. wuellerstorfi. Community components to be studied include associated megafauna, attached epifauna, endofauna
(i.e. cryptofauna), and endolithofauna, as well as the biogeochemistry of carbonate environments experienced by these organisms.
Ship:
R/V Atlantis
Equipment:
ROV Jason 
