Wednesday, June 20, 2001

Key Largo, FL – After completing a record 10 missions in 2000, the Aquarius Undersea Laboratory is back in operation for another year of undersea research. Aquarius is an underwater laboratory where scientists live and work on the seafloor for extended periods of time using a special technique called saturation diving. The underwater laboratory is located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in 60 feet of water, 3.5 miles offshore. Owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and operated by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), Aquarius is the only underwater research platform of its kind in the world.

The first mission of 2001 in April focused on training and system checks prior to full-scale operations. The first science mission was completed May 25, when principal investigator Dr. Joseph Pawlik from UNCW returned for a second year to complete deepwater studies on the growth and ecology of coral reef sponges. The June 18 - 29 mission involves Dr. James Leichter, from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who also returns for a second year of study. Dr. Leichter's research addresses nutrients and water quality issues along the Florida Keys reef tract.

Two new principal investigators in 2001 include Dr. Roy Caldwell (July 16 - 25), from the University of California at Berkeley, and Dr. Kevin Beach (August 13 - 22), from the University of Tampa. Dr. Caldwell will study the biology and ecology of stomatopods - spectacular shrimp-like critters with incredible colors, unique eyes, and claws that can pierce a finger. An infra-red "stomato-cam" will operate again this year, providing real-time images to the web of a stomatopod lurking at the entrance to its burrow. Dr. Beach investigates seaweed ecology on coral reefs, especially related to their ecology and reproduction. This is important because seaweeds have increased in abundance at many sites in Florida and can overgrow and kill corals. Why more seaweed is seen on coral reefs in the last 15 years is one of the most important questions facing coral reef scientists and managers.



The September 11 - 19 mission will be conducted with NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program and is related to deep coral reef monitoring. New protocols to support research and monitoring programs throughout the United States will also be tested. Two additional missions are in the planning stages for 2001 including special projects in development with NASA. Outreach programs will be conducted at selected schools, museums, and aquariums throughout the United States. Using recently upgraded video conferencing capabilities inside Aquarius and at mission control, students and the public will have live and interactive opportunities to view and talk with scientists living and working inside Aquarius.

Live web cameras will be available again this year during missions, including cameras inside Aquarius and out on the coral reef. Video-streaming will be added later in the year. Enhancements to the Aquarius web site include new lesson plans and project materials. The Aquarius homepage can be accessed through UNCW's website at: www.uncwil.edu/nurc/aquarius.

For additional information contact: Dr. Steven Miller, NURC/UNCW, Center

Director

millers@uncwil.edu: 305-451-0233

Mark Ward, NURC Public Affairs

markeward@aol.com: 407-975-6569