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Technicians supervise the operation of the robot Liropus. (Photo: Victor Diaz del Rio/IEO)
Underwater robots aid marine biodiversity research
(SPAIN, 4/10/2012)
Nine scientists from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) will embark on board the research vessel Ramón Margalef for a marine research cruise off the coast of the provinces of Cadiz and Huelva.
With the collaboration of researchers of the Navy Hydrographer Institute, they will study marine biodiversity at depths ranging between 300 and 800 metres at the fishing ground called El Laberinto.
This will be the first oceanographic survey in the area using the modern Remote Observation Vehicle (ROV), Super Mohawk II model, named Liropus.
During the scientific research, the degree of conservation of the ecosystems generated under the emission of methane from the seafloor will be analysed. The underwater environment was classified by Natura Network 2000 as Habitat 1180.
When making use of acoustic prospecting systems with very high resolution that accurately auscultate deposits that make up the seafloor, the scientists will be able to obtain precise data that will contribute to "the definition of the nature of the target habitat with a level of detail never known before," the IEO stressed.
The experts will also use a prototype of Towed Monitoring Vehicle (VOR), Chanquete 2012, developed at the Oceanographic Centre of Malaga from IEO by the Marine Geosciences Group.
This vehicle will help to collect simultaneous video digital images and high definition pictures.
The combination of the robots Liropus and Chanquete 2012 "expands the range of observation so that scientists can have different types of images that are essential for understanding the biodiversity of the seabed without disturbing its dynamic balance," the IEO explained.
During the survey, headed by Luis Miguel Fernández-Salas, researcher at the IEO, corals, sponges and gorgonians will be identified among other species of the seabed.
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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