Advancing deep-sea knowledge

The OptiMiSe-project is gathering critical knowledge about the Norwegian deep-sea ecosystem.

Ecosystem hot spots like active hydrothermal vents have historically been the main areas for research in the Norwegian deep-sea. As industry is targeting mineral deposits located away from the spreading ridge, this requires more studies of their associated ecosystems.

Integrating a suite of methodologies

The OptiMiSe project builds on recent pilot studies along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge and is designed to strengthen knowledge on biodiversity patterns and resilience of deep-sea communities.

– The project develops and applies an integrative suite of methodologies. These include environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to detect species across taxonomic groups, AI-assisted image analysis for efficient and reproducible identification of megafauna, and expert-led morphological taxonomy to validate and complement molecular and image-based data, says the project manager Miriam Brandt, researcher at NORCE.

Obtained a lot of data and samples

Miriam is currently reporting back from a research cruise led by the University of Bergen and the Norwegian Offshore Directorate:

– The research cruise is going well, and we have so far performed 13 ROV-dives with Ægir6000, collecting video footage from background ridge habitats, and sediment samples from 15 different locations. We are now heading to three sulfide deposits, for another two weeks of intense sampling.

The OptiMiSe-project will utilize data from different research cruises, including from the Mareano project, as well as building on the results from the EMINENT project.

– By combining different tools in a standardized framework, we will deliver a comprehensive and high-resolution biodiversity assessment across multiple habitats and organism groups, including soft-bottom and hard substrate communities, from megafauna to microbial assemblages. Multivariate statistics and phylogenetic analyses will be used to compare biodiversity patterns, estimate cryptic diversity, and establish the risk of species extinction of sulfide deposit fauna in a possible future extraction scenario. Network analyses will assess ecological connectivity between seafloor massive sulfides deposits and background ridge habitats, providing insights into recolonisation potential and ecosystem vulnerability, Miriam explains.

Informed decision making

The project will be important in informing the public and governmental management agencies on the consequences of mineral extraction from deep-sea sulfide deposits along the arctic mid-ocean ridge.

The project will improve the efficiency of deep-sea biodiversity surveys and provide input to the ongoing development of management tools by Norwegian regulators.

Sharing data and samples across research cruises, testing new technology and methodologies, and supporting several research projects is the norm for deep-sea research.

The current research cruise is the first mission where the new deep-sea AUV operated by the University of Bergen has been used.

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Are you interested in learning more about deep-sea minerals research in Norway? Join our Lunch and Learch webinar 18 June summarising the EMINENT project.