RFP: Exploration and Research of Northern Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Natural and Artificial Hard Bottom Habitats with Emphasis on Coral Communities: Reefs, Rigs and Wrecks
Exploration and Research of Northern Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Natural and Artificial Hard Bottom Habitats with Emphasis on Coral Communities: Reefs, Rigs and Wrecks
Lead PI: Dr. James Brooks, TDI International, Inc.
Preliminary research has demonstrated that deepwater coral habitats are important biodiversity hotspots and significant biological resources with intrinsic and socio-economic value. This interdisciplinary study will focus on exploration and investigation of deepwater communities that have developed on both natural and artificial hard substrates, including platforms and shipwrecks, with emphasis on deepwater coral habitats. An exploratory component of the study will also investigate unidentified shipwrecks.
Number of Years: 4
Requested Funds: $3,690,687
Partners:
- TDI Brooks International, Inc.
- Louisiana State University
- Pennyslvania State University
- Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi
- Temple University
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- C&C Technologies
- Smithsonian Institution
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab
