Deep sea exploration

From the East Pacific Rise in the Pacific Ocean to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Atlantic, researchers from the University of Delaware's College of Earth, Ocean and Environment led the charge of underwater discovery this past year, steering research cruises that each employed one of the three underwater vehicles currently operated by the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF).

By utilizing these vehicles, scientists can help unravel the mysteries of the deep and answer complicated scientific questions.

The NDSF is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and charged with operating, maintaining and coordinating the use of deep ocean and seafloor exploration vehicles in the U.S. Academic Research Fleet.

Investigating the carbon chemistry of the deep ocean

Andrew Wozniak and Sunita Shah Walter, both associate professors in UD's School of Marine Science and Policy, as well as David Christopher, marine education specialist with Delaware Sea Grant at UD, were among the participants that joined faculty, staff and students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Middle East Technical University, McGill University and Millersville University of Pennsylvania on a voyage to the East Pacific Rise. George Luther, professor emeritus, is also involved in the project but was not on board for this cruise.