Discovering Deep Sea Corals of the Phoenix Islands

Studying the Deep

The goal of this study is to greatly increase knowledge of deep-sea coral life and functions in one of the largest marine protected areas on the planet. At this time, the studies and measurements completed in PIPA have primarily focused on shallow coral habitats. Research on reef systems to the depth of approximately 450 feet show that there is a plentiful and flourishing network of coral, algae and other life forms. But in depths beyond, there is no information about deep corals or other communities living in these benthic zones.

To get to these depths, the science team will use video from ROV SuBastian to make detailed observations on the community and organisms along with physical samples to provide the proper identifications of the species observed. Some of the observations will be conducted with specialized camera systems to look for bioluminescence and biofluoresence. Water samples and specialized sensors will compliment these studies to provide an understanding of their habitat and associations. This type of research will allow for future comparisons over time as part of an important coral monitoring process.

Findings will make progress towards fundamental scientific questions, such as identifying what species of corals live there, and the diversity of these ecosystems. The data gathered will be used to fill in the puzzle of much larger, global oceanic systems, such as the biogeographic relationship among the Southwest Pacific, Central Pacific, and Hawaiian Islands deep coral communities. The products of this expedition have the potential to advance many fields of research, including understanding the carbonate system and ocean acidification in the deep Central Pacific, symbiotic relationships between corals and associates, and even inter-specific communication.

Acidifying Waters

The main goal in creating this MPA was granting protection from disruptive human actions. While PIPA is currently protected from fishing activity, the effects of ocean acidification cannot be stopped by lines on a map. Researchers fear that deep-water corals could be affected by this process, especially certain types of hard corals. Rising temperature and declining ocean concentrations in ocean waters could also influence deep-water corals and other important species. These conditions could be very serious in the Pacific, where an amassing of CO2 in older, deep waters coexist with some of the lowest pH values that have been recorded. The conditions in the study locations may provide insight into deep-water corals surviving and growing in low CO2 saturation states.

PIPA Process and Outcomes

The size of this protected area, including significant deep-sea regions and seamount habitats, offers a rare chance to establish the effects of “no-take” zones on the deep-sea environment. A baseline habitat evaluation will be critical to understanding the influence of the MPA over time. There is currently no existing baseline for deep-sea communities in the massive central Pacific. Without diagnostic information about the current state of coral and other communities living at deeper depths within the PIPA, there are no records to gauge and describe the results of these protective actions or assess future impacts. This expedition will give insight to an entirely unexplored region of the deep sea and demonstrate the importance and use of baseline data for evaluation of MPAs.