August 9 - 18, 1999. This project will provide a detailed view of light underwater, including the distribution of ultraviolet, visible, and polarized light throughout the day and across various habitats. Results will be used to help identify specific characteristics of healthy, marginal, and disturbed reefs. Additionally, the behavior of several invertebrates and fishes will be monitored and correlated with changing light conditions during dawn and twilight, the periods when many species begin or end their activity periods.
Coral reefs are the most colorful environments on earth.
Coral reef inhabitants have exotic and highly capable visual systems, and the ecology of corals and a number of associated plant and animal species are intimately connected to light availability. This project provides a detailed view of light underwater, including the distribution of ultraviolet, visible, and polarized light throughout the day and across various habitats. Additionally, the behavior of several invertebrates and fishes will be monitored and correlated with changing light conditions during dawn and twilight, the periods when many species begin or end their activity periods. A goal of this project is to identify relatively simple, noninvasive, and potentially remote means of determining and characterizing the condition of coral reefs using detailed images of reefs, individual corals, and various underwater scenes. Aquarius is needed for the substantial bottom time to accurately place instruments and to support the hours of continuous effort required during measurements.