Fouling of Mine Casing Surfaces by Fluorescent Organisms.

摘要

LONG TERM GOALS. Our long term goal is to determine whether the measurement of fluorescence from benthic surfaces improves our ability to detect mine-like objects on the sea floor. Our hypothesis states that the introduction of a new surface, such as a mine casing, into a benthic habitat disrupts the normal succession of species in the habitat. The disruption is manifested as changes in biodiversity and corresponding benthic biooptics which can be remotely sensed by a fluorescence mapping device. OBJECTIVES. We want to predict the change in species diversity associated with the introduction of a new surface into benthic habitats. We have focused on the species succession of fluorescent organisms which occurs during colonization and the subsequent changes in biooptical properties due to species diversity. We seek to answer fundamental questions concerning the time scales of fouling, degree and rate of disguise for contrast and shape factors compared to the surrounding habitat and pathways of succession for seagrass vs. macroalgal climax communities.