Expedition to the Deep Slope

May 7 -- June 2, 2006

Digital Still Highlights

The "Expedition to the Deep Slope" was the first systematic exploration
of hydrocarbon seep communities deeper than 1000m in the Gulf of Mexico.
Funded by the Mineral Management Service (MMS), the leader in supporting
the scientific characterization of seep communities in the Gulf of
Mexico, and the NOAA Ocean Exploration (OE), our diverse team of
scientists used the R/V ATLANTIS and the ALVIN submersible to dive on
sites never visited before by woman or man. The team assembled includes
scientists who have led the exploration, discovery, and study of the
Gulf of Mexico cold seeps for the last 20 years. Our time included
leading international seep scientists from Germany, France and Austria
to complement our expertise. On this cruise, geologists and geochemists
worked along side microbiologists, physiologists, and ecologists to
maximize what can be learned about the deep Gulf of Mexico cold seeps
and coral communities.

Please use image specific credits.

For more information, please see www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov

01-OCTOPUS

Scientists came across this 'narcotized' deep-sea octopus,
*Benthoctopus* sp., near the Brine Lake at 2330m. After seeing this
image, an octopod taxonomist on shore noted that there have been two
species of this genus described from shallower waters in the Gulf of
Mexico. This individual does not look like either and is likely a new
species.

Image courtesy of Bruce Strickrott, Expedition to the Deep Slope

02-GAVIN_LAUNCH

As ALVIN Launch Coordinator for this dive, Gavin Eppard kept a close eye
on the submersible as it is gently lowered into the Gulf of Mexico.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

03-BIG_MUSSEL

Scientists discovered several communities of football-size mussels,
*Bathymodiolus brooksi*, at Mississippi Canyon 853 during ALVIN dive
4178. This is the biggest *B. brooksi* specimen ever collected. Upon
close inspection, you may be able to see stains from the oil that is
sometimes found in the sediment around seeps.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

04-COMMUNITY

This close-up of a seep community contains shrimp, mussels, and
tubeworms typical of several of the sites that the expedition has
visited.

Image courtesy of AquaPix, Chuck Fisher, Expedition to the Deep Slope.

05-CORAL_WATER

This specimen of the deepwater scleractinian coral, *Solenosmilia
variabilis*, was collected with the ALVIN submersible at the Coral
Garden site. This is the first time this species has been collected in
the western portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists spent several days
searching for the elusive deep coral community where this specimen was
found. ALVIN pilots had their hands full trying to maneuver around the
large carbonate rock outcrops while being buffeted by strong currents.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

06-GALATHEID

Reminiscent of a spider in a web, scientists spotted this long-legged
crab stretched out on a large soft coral during ALVIN dive 4190.

Image courtesy of Aquapix, Ian MacDonald, Expedition to the Deep Slope.

07-LAMELLI_SHRIMP

A close-up of the undescribed *Lamellibrachia sp*. Several *Alvinocaris
muricola* shrimp are also in view.

Image by AquaPix, Ian MacDonald, Expedition to the Deep Slope

08-MUD_MARK

Congratulations Mark! Following his first solo dive, ALVIN pilot Mark
Spear is welcomed back onboard the ATLANTIS by fellow pilot Gavin Eppard
with a nice bucket of cold Gulf of Mexico mud.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

09-SEEP_MOSAIC

Downward looking view of a chemosynthetic seep community. This
photomosaic is a compilation of parts from approximately 20 different
still photos. Stephanie Lessard-Pilon, a graduate student at Penn State,
stitched these images together using special software and a lot of
patience. Once back at Penn State, scientists will use the images to
better understand seep communities.

Image courtesy of Stephanie Lessard-Pilon, Expedition to the Deep Slope.

10-GORGONIAN

A red gorgonian from the Coral Garden. The eight tiny tentacles on each
polyp place this group of corals in the Octocorallia. You may also see
an anemone attached to the coral and a small galatheid crab in the
background.

Image by Aquapix, Ian MacDonald, Expedition to the Deep Slope

11-ISOPOD

This species of deepwater isopod is commonly spotted at seep sites in
the Gulf of Mexico. At over more than a foot long, it is enormous in
comparison to its close relatives.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

12-CORE

Microbiologist Mandy Joye thanks ALVIN pilot Mark Spear for the sediment
cores which he successfully collected during the dive.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

13-ATLANTIS-ALVIN

The R/V *Atlantis* and DSV ALVIN combine to form one of the premier
ocean science exploration and research tandems in the world.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

14-OIL PLATFORM

A distant oil platform greets the R/V Atlantis at dawn. Oil platforms
are a common site in the Gulf of Mexico.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

15-SILHOUETTE

Silhouetted by the morning sun, the ALVIN is gently lifted off the deck
of the R/V Atlantis.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.

16-BRUCE

ALVIN Chief Pilot Bruce Strickrott peers out of the ALVIN while flying
along the seafloor 2333m below the ocean surface.

Image courtesy of Expedition to the Deep Slope.