OCS Study MMS 95 - Data Center

PREFACEThe Chemosynthetic Ecosystems Study concerns the prominent biologicalcommunities of tube worms, mussels, and clams that occur at natural hydrocarbonseeps on the continental slope and that derive their food supply from chemicalsassociated with the seeps .This is the Technical Report (Volume II) of the FinalReport that will be issued by the Study, which is sponsored by the U.S .Departmentof Interior Minerals Management Service (MMS), Gulf of Mexico Region OCS Office(Contract 14-35-0001-30555) .The Study is being conducted by ten principal investigators (PIs) and fourassociates under the overall management of the Geochemical and EnvironmentalResearch Group (GERG) of Texas A&M University (see next page) .The Programhas completed all of the three scheduled research cruises and has completedprocessing material collected on these cruises .The first report of the Study(MacDonald 1992) presented a review of published literature pertinent to the subjectand a limited synthesis of data collected prior to commencement of the Program.Anappendix volume to this report reproduced the core, peer-reviewed literature pertinentto Gulf of Mexico seep communities An interim report described the methods,techniques, and equipment used during the field program, outlined the data sets andcollections obtained during the field study, and discussed the analyses andinterpretations employed to treat these materials .This report comprises some of theintroductory material from the two previous reports in order to provide unfamiliarreaders with a context for Study findings .In keeping with MMS guidelines, thesechapters are addressed to an audience of knowledgeable lay-people .To enhancereadability, extended listings of materials and methods will be given in an appendixvolume or by citation to previous reports or publications .v