2013 - University College Cork

RESEARCH PROJECTS
62
Geosciences and Coastal Processes
IRISH SEA MARINE ASSESSMENT (ISMA)
Research Centre/Department/School:
School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences
Contact PI: Andy Wheeler (a.wheeler@ucc.ie)
Researchers: Mark Coughlan, Boris Dorschel
Start Year: 2010
End Year: 2015
Funding Body: Gaelectric Developments Ltd
Funding: €91k
The Irish Sea Marine Assessment (ISMA) is a collaborative research survey undertaken by University
College Cork, the INFOMAR programme (Geological Survey of Ireland & Marine Institute),
and Gaelectric Developments Ltd. Its purpose is to produce integrated seabed and sub-seabed
mapping products to assist in a fundamental understanding of the seabed and how it changes
through time, thereby deriving information pertinent to the development of offshore renewable
energy resources.
Four study areas where surveyed. The Codling Deep is a long north-south deep (or channel) in
which tidal currents flow strong. The seabed it typified by mobile sands and gravels, and areas
covered by cobbles (stoney ground) rich in seabed life. The sub-seabed geology is complicated
with localised drift bodies and numerous erosional surfaces. The next three areas are relatively flat
and experience decreasing current intensity resulting in a decrease in seabed sediment-type particle
size from sand (Lambay area) to fine sands (Rockabill area) to muds (Northern Mudbelt). All
three areas show sub-horizontal layers of deposits below the seafloor consisting of sands to muds
underlain by glacial diamict tills (muds with bolders) and rock. The Northern Mudbelt sub-seabed
shows shallow accumulation of (biogenic) gas (although not enough to form a geohazard).
In total 352.65 km2 (35,265 hectares) of seabed
was mapped, 534 km of sparker seimic
lines were shot imaging into the sub-seabed by
50 m, 2179 km of pinger seismic lines (down
to 30 m penetration) were also recorded. 269
sediment samples were taken, 171 biological
samples were taken with an additional 7 faunal
samples frozen for DNA studies. 20 cores
where sunk into the seabed up to a depth of 3
m from as well as 5 Reineck box-cores which
preserve the upper 30 cm for palaeoenevironmental
and geotechnical studies. 975 good
quality digital still photographs of the seabed
were taken in 15 areas and a 1 month long
measurements of variation in current speeds
throughout the water column was also taken
for one key location.