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PSU Biologist Digs Marine Life: Exploration Nets New Deep Species

Posted on: Friday, 2 June 2006, 21:00 CDT

By Adam Smeltz, The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.

May 26--Scientists trolling the Gulf of Mexico have discovered lush communities of underwater animal life, including 12 previously unknown species.

Chuck Fisher, a Penn State biology professor, is a principal investigator in the monthlong exploration. In a conference call Thursday with reporters, he said the mission has been "amazingly successful."

"I think we are beginning to get a good grip," Fisher said, sitting with his team in a vehicle 1,400 meters below the ocean surface.

The project, backed by the federal Minerals Management Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is designed to identify and investigate small animal species that feed off oil and natural-gas seepage on the ocean floor.

Such seepage is completely natural and normal. But the biological life that spouts around them has gained more attention lately, as oil and gas companies pursue more deep-sea drilling to feed energy demands.

Harry Roberts, the co-chief scientist on the trip, said the exploration front is close to areas where companies are drilling, about 200 nautical miles off the Louisiana coast. Federal rules protect the sensitive biological communities underwater.

Fisher said the mission's discoveries include an unknown worm species and a relatively enormous parasite that spans about two centimeters.

Data gathered during the exploration will help the MMS advise energy companies, said Roberts, a professor at Louisiana State University.

"I think there is a general level of interest in drilling and in finding these communities and how they work," Roberts said. He said companies have been diligent recently in protecting underwater life.

"As humans, we have the potential to eradicate life as we know it," Fisher said. "And with that ability comes the responsibility to husband" life.

About a half dozen people, including a middle school teacher and three professors, are on the 27-day expedition. It's part of a four-year project to study underwater oceanic life and to compare species near North America to those near Africa. The trip will conclude June 2.

Adam Smeltz can be reached at 231-4631.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Centre Daily Times, State College, Pa.

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Source: Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.)

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