PI Country:
USA, Austria
PIs:
Mullineaux, L.; Thurnherr, A.; Ledwell, J.; McGillicuddy, D.; and Lavelle, W.
Institution:
WHOI; LDEO; NOAA
Funding:
NSF
Ocean:
N. Pacific
Region:
N EPR
Year:
2007
Start Date:
13-Nov-07
End Date:
3-Dec-07 LADDER stands for LArval Deep Dispersal on the East Pacific Rise; Bio-1) What are the influences of advection and eddy diffusion on the maximal dispersal distance of vent species with given larval life spans?; Bio-2) What are the effects of ontogenetic changes in larval behavior (i.e., vertical positioning) on species' dispersal distances?; Bio-3) How are the probabilities that larvae will be lost from the ridge system influenced by topography and flow? Might the axial summit trough inhibit off-axis transport of larvae, and serve as a conduit between habitable vent sites?; PO-1) What are the mean and temporally varying flows in the vicinity of a mid-ocean ridge crest, and what is their spatial structure and coherence?; PO-2) What is the magnitude of the diapycnal diffusivity near the ridge crest?; PO-3) How rapid is lateral dispersion, and how effective is lateral homogenization by eddy diffusion near the ridge crest?
Ship:
R/V Atlantis
Equipment:
submersible Alvin, sediment traps, plankton pumps, CTD, current meters, LADCP
Contact:
lmullineaux@whoi.edu 
