Writing in the scientific journal Nature, scientists have called for increased discussion of independent monitoring of deep-sea hydrocarbon industry activity with the aim of obtaining a better understanding of its ecological impact.
The hydrocarbon industry is increasingly searching for hydrocarbon resources at much greater depths and developing drilling technology to exploit them. However, drilling the seafloor at great depths is technically very challenging and carries with it poorly known risks.
"The Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico last year and the subsequent discovery of unexpected hydrocarbon accumulation at mid-water depths underscores the need for independent monitoring of the ecological effects in the deep sea," said Dr Henry Ruhl of the National oceanography Centre.
"In the past, the deep sea has been out of sight and all too often out of mind when it comes to the potentially damaging effects of human activities on the ecosystems that it supports," added Co-signatory Professor Monty Priede of the University of Aberdeen: 'If there is a problem on land, noise, fire, smoke and spills give signals that are obvious anyone in the vicinity, in the deep sea there are no human witnesses'
But the situation is changing. Advances in underwater monitoring equipment mean that images and data from the deep seafloor and the overlying water column can now be uploaded to the Internet in real time, and made publically available.
"Scientists need observations to help differentiate natural and human induced changes. Remote sensing could both facilitate sustainable resource use and provide an early warning of potential impacts," explained Dr Ruhl.
Through projects such as the Deep-ocean Environmental Long-term Observatory System (DELOS), scientists are already working with industry to help protect the marine environment. However, Dr Ruhl and Professor Priede argue independent monitoring is now necessary and that international bodies such as the European Commission and the United Nations could drive progress in this area. Their proposal for increased discussion has been supported by the General Assembly of the European Seas Observatory NETwork (ESONET).
Press office contact
Dr Rory Howlett, Media and Communications Officer
National Oceanography Centre
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 8490
Email: r.howlett@noc.soton.ac.uk
Jennifer Phillips, Press officer
University of Aberdeen
Tel: +44 (01224) 273174
Email: j.phillips@abdn.ac.uk
Scientist contacts
Dr Henry Ruhl
National Oceanography Centre
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 6365
Email: h.ruhl@noc.soton.ac.uk
Professor Monty Priede
University of Aberdeen
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 274408 )
Email: i.g.priede@abdn.ac.uk
Notes for media
1. Publication: Ruhl, H. A & Priede, I. G. Open up monitoring of deep-sea drilling. Nature 473, 154 (12 May 2011). doi:10.1038/473154b
2. Related links:
www.delos-project.org
www.esonet-emso.org
3. The National Oceanography Centre (NOC; www.noc.ac.uk) is a new national research organisation that went live on 1 April 2010. NOC works in partnership with the UK marine research community to deliver integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean. It was formed by bringing together into a single institution Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-managed activity at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton and the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory in Liverpool.
NOC works with the wider marine science community to create the integrated research capability needed to tackle the big environmental issues facing the world. Research priorities will include the oceans' role in climate change, sea-level change and the future of the Arctic Ocean.
The University of Southampton and the University of Liverpool are hosting partners of NOC. The University of Southampton's School of Ocean & Earth Science shares a waterfront campus with the NERC-operated elements of NOC, and a close collaborative relationship is maintained at both Southampton and Liverpool.
4. The University of Aberdeen is today at the forefront of teaching, learning and discovery, as it has been for 500 years. Oceanlab is the sub-sea research facility of the University. Our engineers lead the world in creating systems capable of operating down to 11000 metres enabling scientists to investigate life throughout the world's oceans. http://www.oceanlab.abdn.ac.uk/
Journal
Nature