Vertical Profiler System Deployed

Our Vertical Profiler System (VPS) was lowered by crane to the seafloor early this morning. Exact geo-coordinates: -126.174095W; 48.427253; depth: 396m.

ROPOS then dove down to plug the VPS in via an extension cable connected to our nearby instrument platform on Barkley Slope.

In the afternoon and evening, the VPS was powered up and communications established with its instruments. We hope to test deployment of the float during an upcoming ROPOS dive.

Images from the sea at Barkley Slope
Abandoned larvacean structure, 25 August 2009. (See comment by John D. below for details.)
Close-up view of the connector plugged in to our vertical profiler system, 25 August 2009.
Snapshot of the vertical profiler system resting on the seafloor at 396m, 25 August 2009.
Several rays came to investigate our installation work on Barkley Slope, 396m.
This beautiful biolumenescent salp colony was observed at 88m in the water column above the vertical profiler system, 25 August 2009.

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Comments (2)

 

  1. 02-Sep-09

    Anonymous says:

    The picture described as the "Bioluminescent creature observed at 135m in the wa...

    The picture described as the "Bioluminescent creature observed at 135m in the water column" looks to me to be an abandoned mucous "house" produced by a larvacean.  The structures in the upper right portion appear to be the coarse filters that it uses to block out large material.  Once the house becomes clogged, the larvacean swims out and constructs a new one.

    Cheers,

    John D.

    1. 09-Sep-09

      dwowens says:

      Thanks for that comment, John. Here, also, is a related story on the Monterey Ba...

      Thanks for that comment, John. Here, also, is a related story on the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute website: "Sinkers" provide missing piece in deep-sea puzzle.