A live video observatory reveals temporal processes at a shelf-depth whale-fall

作者：Glover Adrian G; Higgs Nicholas D; Bagley Philip M; Carlsson Ralph; Davies Andrew J; Kemp Kirsty M; Last Kim S; Norling Karl; Rosenberg Rutger; Wallin Karl Anders; Kallstrom Bjorn; Dahlgren Thomas G^*

来源：Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 2010, 51(4): 375-381.

• Skeletonization
• Taphonomy
• Porpoise
• Carcass
• Scavengers
• Bacterial mat
• Forensic

There have been very few studies of temporal processes at chemosynthetic ecosystems, even at relatively more accessible shallow water sites. Here we report the development and deployment of a simple cabled video observatory at 30 m water depth in Gullmarsfjorden, Sweden. The camera provides a live video feed to the internet of faunal activity in the experiments, which to date have included 5 separate whale-fall deployments. Our data suggest that the time to decomposition of small cetacean carcasses at shelf-depth settings is considerably slower than at deep-sea sites. We have also provided a new methodology for the deployment of low-cost live video observatories at up to 30 m water depth, which can be used both for research and outreach activities.

• 出版日期2010