Cruise: Visualizing the Deep off Uruguay

The Rio de la Plata drains into the Atlantic Ocean, delivering sediment-rich contents from the Paraná and Uruguay Rivers, each fed by myriad streams and tributaries. The mixing of fresh water with the nutrient-rich seawater upwelled along the continental shelf fosters remarkable biodiversity. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, or VMEs, are critical yet fragile habitats that support a diverse array of species, and human activities pose a significant threat to these ecosystems. Currently, there is only one reported VME in Uruguay. It is home to cold-water coral reefs formed by Desmophyllum pertusum, a slow-growing coral that grows throughout the Atlantic Ocean; experts suspect this ecologically important animal is threatened and in decline. Scientists believe there are more vulnerable ecosystems, but have not had access to the technology needed to describe deep-water areas in Uruguayan waters.

Person: Daniel Lauretta

Dr. Daniel Lauretta has been a researcher at CONICET since 2016, working at the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences (Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina). His research interests have always focused on the diversity, taxonomy, distribution, and reproductive biology of benthic cnidarians. He began with shallow-water sea anemones and later expanded his work to include … Continued

Person: Juan Pablo Lozoya Azcárate

Fascinated by nature since childhood, Juan Pablo Lozoya Azcárate is passionate about the sea and its coasts, outdoor life, and the exploration of remote areas. He is deeply interested in the interactions between human activities and natural ecosystems, and in his quest to understand them, he aims to generate relevant knowledge for their care, protection, … Continued

Person: Rodrigo Torres

Rodrigo Torres is a Brazilian oceanographer and maritime archaeologist, who has dedicated the last 25 years to research and teach in the fields of maritime and nautical archaeology, scientific diving and underwater mapping. Throughout his academic and professional career, Rodrigo has participated in or led scientific projects focused on underwater cultural heritage in the Americas, … Continued

Person: Valentina Amaral Acosta

Valentina Amaral Acosta is a researcher and assistant professor at the Centro Universitario Regional Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (Uruguay), where she has worked since 2012. She is also a member of the research group “Oceanography and Coastal Pollution” at the University of Cádiz (Spain). She holds a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences and Technologies … Continued

Person: Pablo Limongi

Pablo Limongi Pérez is a marine scientist specializing in benthic habitat mapping. Based in Uruguay, he has worked as a researcher and teacher at the Universidad de la República (UDELAR), and has served as an environmental consultant in both public and private sectors. He is also an experienced professional lifeguard with a longstanding commitment to … Continued

Person: Alvar Carranza

Dr. Carranza’s research spans diverse areas, including marine biodiversity, benthic ecology, and the conservation of mollusks. His comprehensive research output includes over 150 scientific contributions, with numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.  He earned his Doctorate and Master’s in Ecology from PEDECIBA and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. His professional journey includes acting as a … Continued

Person: Agustín Loureiro

Bch. Agustín Loureiro, is a scientific advisor at the NGO “Mar Azul Uruguayo” where he leads the project “Dangerous or endangered”. He also works as a Scientific Observer for the Uruguayan National Directorate of Aquatic Resources. Since 2001, while studying biology at the University of the Republic of Uruguay, he has consistently ventured out to … Continued

Person: Ana Martínez

Ana Martínez is a marine biologist specialized in phytoplankton. She has worked as a researcher at the National Directorate of Aquatic Resources since 1996 in the analysis of phytoplankton composition and its relationship with oceanographic characteristics. She is currently in charge of the national monitoring of red tides along the Uruguayan Atlantic coast. Ana has … Continued