The last time an underwater laboratory program conducted 10 or more missions in one season was over 15 years ago in Hydrolab, the predecessor to Aquarius that operated in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Surprisingly, the mechanisms that allow corals to absorb nutrients from the surrounding water are not well understood. Water motion and nutrient concentrations ultimately affect the sizes and shapes of corals. Small spatial scale patterns will be measured using instruments that can measure the flow of heat around and between brass models of corals with different shapes and textures. A newly developed device will be used to measure photosynthesis by corals, directly on the bottom.
Photosynthesis is a key physiological parameter of coral health.
A full mission year is planned for 2001. The next press release will be issued in December.