A live video observatory reveals temporal processes at a shelf-depth whale-fall

• Main Authors: Glover, A G, Higgs, N D, Bagley, P M, Carlsson, R, Davies, A J, Kemp, K M, Last, Kim, Norling, K, Rosenberg, R, Wallin, K A, Kallstrom, B, Dahlgren, T G
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DEEP-SEA; FAUNA; Marine & Freshwater Biology; CONSUMPTION; WORMS; REMAINS; NORTH-ATLANTIC; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://pure.uhi.ac.uk/en/publications/7313d069-be6b-4a31-a66c-a0ae7375b16c

There have been very few studies of temporal processes at chemosynthetic ecosystems, even at relatively more accessible shallow water sites. Here we report the development and deployment of a simple cabled video observatory at 30 m water depth in Gullmarsfjorden, Sweden. The camera provides a live video feed to the internet of faunal activity in the experiments, which to date have included 5 separate whale-fall deployments. Our data suggest that the time to decomposition of small cetacean carcasses at shelf-depth settings is considerably slower than at deep-sea sites. We have also provided a new methodology for the deployment of low-cost live video observatories at up to 30 m water depth, which can be used both for research and outreach activities.