Preface The expedition ARK XIX/3 with the German icebreaking RV ...

A. 4.4.5 Biogeoprocesses along the "Hedge mounds" transects
Wheeler, A., Roberts, M.
An ROV transect and sampling campaign was undertaken to assess a series of
aligned mounds that exist at the head of a canyon system (Fig. A4.4.5-1). The ROV
was operated in both video and multibeam mode. The survey revealed that the
mounds are eroded in places with excessive current speeds inhibiting dense
colonisation by suspension feeders although isolated communities were present. This
highlights that, as in the general for the Porcupine Bank, the current regime at present
is not conducive to dense coral cover although isolated example of importance may
exist. The carbonate mounds on this margin are often eroding, a paradoxically
providing hard substrates for colonisation, although significant growth of carbonate
mounds must have occurred under former less rigorous current regimes.
Fig. A4.4.5-1. Location map showing the ROV dive track and box-core stations.
Box-core logs are presented below.
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