Temperature, salinity, and optical characteristics data from NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Operation Deep Scope cruise in the Gulf of Mexico, August 7-17, 2004 (NCEI Accession 0001965)

Understanding how animals have adapted to the light in their environments -- to see and be seen (or not be seen) -- will provide new insight into the nature of life in these unusual communities. A JOHNSON SEA-LINK submarine was used for this deep sea dive project. The submarine deployed a device, Eye in the Sea sensor system when it reaches the benthic level.

The device captured images of specimens when the motion sensor was triggered. A bait bag and an artificial jellyfish were placed in front of the motion sensor to attract specimens. Four light-tight traps were placed in the area to collect specimens for laboratory analysis.

Laboratory analysis focuses on the fluorescence/bioluminescence characteristics of the specimen. The specimens that were captured; crabs, tube worms, corals, anemones, squids, sponges, jellyfishes, and urchins. However, not all of the species contains characteristics traits of fluorescence.

Specimens were also collected through trawls and net casts. In a separate research, optical devices were deployed to capture polarized and non-polarized images. The device permits determination of specimen during periods of fluorescence and non fluorescence.

The study was also done in laboratory after the specimens were captured through light-tight traps, trawls, and net casts. Other studies in the laboratory include measuring vision and color of the benthic species.