Pulley Ridge

America’s Deepest Coral Reef

 

Pulley Ridge Expedition-First Scientific

Diver Investigation of the Deepest U.S. Coral Reef

 

Flag #139 Report

Pulley Ridge Expedition

23 June – 1 July 2005

 

Reef building coral formations have been on this planet for close to 4 million years. In the past 10 years the world has lost 25% of the known living coral reefs. This record decline in coral is attributed to climate change, over fishing and coastal pollution. The discovery of a the healthy Pulley Ridge reef, at depths that until now was thought impossible, may lead to more discoveries of reefs at these depths and a new understanding of how we can save reefs planet wide.

 

 

 

 

Introduction and background

 

 

The expedition originated with Dr. Sylvia Earle and Dr. John (Wes) Tunnell of Texas A&M’s Corpus Christi Harte Research Institute, who approached Dr. Kumar Mahadevan of Mote Marine Lab, Dr. John Ogden of FIO, Dr. Bob Halley of US Geological Survey and Billy Causey of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. At this point Jim Culter of, Mote Marine Laboratory suggested utilizing a technical deep diving team to make the first scientific dives on Pulley Ridge. One objective of the expedition was to pool resources in order to explore and characterize this site, a deep-water coral formation lying 40 miles West of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve and running to the North another 60 miles or so. The area had been "re-discovered" during the Sustainable Seas Expedition when scientists from USGS discovered the ridge was covered with dense, healthy corals. This latest joint Pulley Ridge deep-water coral expedition ended in overwhelming success.

 

The expedition included 5 vessels. Florida’s Institute of Oceanography provided the R/V Suncoaster to launch the Deep Worker mini-sub and ROVs, and the R/V Bellows to also conduct ROV operations and side-scan work. The Harte Research Institute chartered the R/V Tiburon to handle operations for a team of technical divers organized by Jim Culter of Mote Marine Lab, using rebreathers and mixed gas to dive and collect samples on the ridge. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided the R/V Dante Fascell and the R/V Irene “C”  served as  support vessels.

 

The project was multidisciplinary and involved: geophysical surveys, deep worker submarine deployments, deep scientific diver surveys and collections of biological specimens.   Pulley Ridge is believed to be the deepest coral reef on the continental shelf of the United States.  Located off the Southwest coast of Florida West and Northwest of the Dry Tortugas, it appears to be formed on top of an ancient coastal barrier island, or strand line dating back approximately 14 million years when sea levels were several hundred feet lower.

 

Although geologists and oceanographers have known about the ridge for some time, it was not until the Sustainable Seas Expedition of 1999, a joint program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Geographic Society, that it was revealed as an extensive, healthy coral reef.  This discovery was made via direct observations using Deep Worker mini-submersibles.  As with many natural discoveries, new questions arose:  How large was the Pulley Ridge coral reef? Why were these corals able to grow deeper than on most coral reefs? What corals and other species characterized the Pulley Ridge biotic community? One thing was certain this site, was of significant scientific interest due to the depth at which corals and algal associations were found. The Southern portion of the ridge hosts an unusual variety of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals, green, red and brown macro-algae, and typically shallow-water tropical fishes.

 

All of these questions and many more, led to the planning, development, and return of a multi-institutional expedition to attempt to solve some of Pulley Ridge’s mysteries. During the period of June 23rd through July 1st 2005, six institutions/organizations, five vessels, and over 40 people intensively observed, mapped, photographed, studied, and collected samples on the Pulley Ridge coral reef system. This truly cooperative and collaborative expedition will reveal much new knowledge about the Pulley Ridge coral reef system as data, photos, and specimen are analyzed over the coming months.

 

 

 

Geographic Region:

 

Southeastern Gulf of Mexico, near the edge of the Florida continental shelf. The reef is located approximately 150 miles Southwest of Naples Florida and 60 miles Northwest of the Dry Tortugas Ecological Reserve.

Country/Countries of Destination: USA

Ultimate Destination: Southern portion of the Pulley Ridge Reef System.

 

Approximate boundaries:
Latitude N 25.000, Longitude W 083.600;
Latitude N 25.000, Longitude W 083.800;
Latitude N 24.700, Longitude W 083.600;
Latitude N 24.700, Longitude W 083.800;

 

 

 

 

Description:

 

Pulley Ridge consists of a 100 kilometer long series of North-South oriented, drowned, barrier islands on the Southwest Florida shelf approximately 250 km West of Cape Sable, Florida, on the edge of the Southwest Florida continental shelf. The depth of the ridge ranges from 60-80 meters.

 


Objectives:

To launch a research expedition with the goal of collecting initial baseline data, support submersible and diving ops on the bottom at depths ranging from 200 to 260 feet, and collect biological specimens. Document marine life through photographs and video and prepare specimens for transport to two-dozen different scientists.

 

This project also dispelled the myth that scientific diving must be limited to depths of less than 130 feet. The scientist divers entered a realm seldom investigated. Compared to shallow water and deep-sea investigations, very few scientific reef investigations are conducted within the depth zone between traditional scuba air limits of 130 feet and deep-sea submersible research at and below 500 feet.  Utilizing trimix at these depths, sample collection is a task that can be effectively accomplished by divers, not just by remotely operated vehicles and submarines.

 

Accomplishments:

 

Flag Applicants:

 

Dr. Sylvia Earle, PhD. MED 1981

 

 

Dr. Earle is presently Chairman of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER) and an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society. In addition, she serves as an Honorary President for the Explorers Club, Executive Director for Global Marine Conservation for Conservation International, and Program Coordinator & Advisory Council Chair for the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies. She is an adjunct scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), a director of Kerr-McGee Inc., a director for the Common Heritage Corporation, and serves on various boards, foundations, and committees relating to marine research, policy, and conservation. These include the World Resources Institute, World Environment Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Mote Marine Laboratory, Lindbergh Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, Natural Resource Defense Council, and the Ocean Conservancy. She is a Fellow of the AAAS, Marine Technology Society, California Academy of Sciences, and World Academy of Arts and Sciences. Sylvia Earle is an oceanographer, marine botanist, ecologist, and writer. A pioneering aquanaut and marine explorer, Earle made her first scuba dive at 17. She has since set the women’s depth record for solo diving (1,000 meters/3,281 feet) and logged more than 6,000 diving hours—feats that garnered her the moniker “Her Deepness” The author of five books and numerous scientific and popular articles, Earle tirelessly calls for the preservation and exploration of the world’s marine ecosystems.

 

James K Culter, FN 1997

 

 

Mr. Culter is a staff scientist and the manager of the Benthic
Ecology Program at Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida. Jim joined Mote in 1979 and has specialized in marine/estuarine ecology and environmental assessment, with emphasis on bottom habitats.  Mr. Culter is a graduate of the University of South Florida and also attended the University of Cincinnati.  Mr. Culter has been a certified diver since 1968 and is trained through mixed gas diving, known as trimix.  He served as the Laboratory’s Scuba Diving Safety Officer from 1984 through 2002 and developed the Laboratory’s Diving Safety Program.  He initiated and is currently conducting the first deep diving scientific research on the biological features of springs and sinkholes on the West Florida continental shelf, and was co-discoverer of a large underwater cave located off Sarasota, dubbed Megadome.  In addition to extensive Florida diving Jim has been fortunate enough to dive in ocean locations such as California, the Carolinas, Alaska, the Caribbean, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Bali, Fiji, Hawaii, and Mexico.  In addition to scuba diving Jim’s recreational pursuits include backpacking and mountaineering which has included many of the lower 48 states, Alaska, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and two trips to Nepal.  The first Nepal trip was a retrace of Hillary’s route from Kathmandu to Everest base.  The second trip included searches for ice worms on glacier melt pools and an ascent of Mera Peak, 21,100 ft., as well as several other minor peaks.  Jim was elected to the Explorers Club as a National Fellow in 1997.

 

Captain Tim Taylor, FN 2004

 

 

Tim Taylor is an accomplished naturalist and explorer with over 25 years of experience in the field. For recognition of his discovery of Sherwood Forest Reef tract in the Dry Tortugas Tim became a Fellow National in the Explorers Club in 2004. Sherwood Forest is considered the centerpiece of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve, the largest in the country, and one of the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean basin. He is currently President and CEO of Research Vessel Tiburon Inc., and Founder of Ocean Outreach Inc., a non-profit ocean education and outreach organization as well as partner in a marine imagery company, Aquatic Films. This year he was team leader in setting up the most comprehensive great white shark outreach adventure program in the United States. In 2005 he had the honor of carrying the Explorers Club flag on four research expeditions. He has collaborated with many noted marine specialists such as Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Eugenie Clark, Wes Pratt, Frank Goddio, Dr. Robert Ginsburg, Dr. Samuel Gruber, Dr. Jeff Carrier, Sue Hendrickson and Philippe Cousteau. His work, with top coral experts from the University of Miami, Scripps Institute, Florida State University, Florida Institute of Oceanography and Mote Marine Lab in shallow, in mid-range and deep coral has given him a unique insight into the connectivity of the newly discovered Pulley Ridge reef.

          

Additional Expedition Member Profiles:

 

Dr. Robert Halley   USGS

 

Dr. Robert Halley is a Geologist with the USGS Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida. His projects include: Geochemical Monitoring of Restoration Progress, which monitors changes in critical biogeochemical processes in Florida Bay relative to water quality changes as South Florida restoration proceeds; Salinity Patterns in Florida Bay, an understanding of salinity conditions in Florida Bay; Sedimentation, Sea-level Rise, and Circulation in Florida Bay, with the objective providing a better understanding of how and when sediments within Florida Bay are re-suspended and deposited

 

 

Dr. John W. "Wes" Tunnel, Jr.

 

 

 

Associate Director, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies.

 

Dr. Wes Tunnell, who is also the Director of the Center for Coastal Studies and a Professor of Biology at TAMU-CC, is a marine biologist who has conducted Gulf of Mexico research in many areas, including fossilized vertebrates from the seabed, colonial nesting seabirds, molluscan ecology, coastal community ecology, and oil spill impacts for over 30 years, but he has specialized in coral reef ecology. Dr. Tunnell has produced numerous Gulf of Mexico graduate scientists and many publications, including co-authoring two books, and he has several other books on Gulf of Mexico biota and ecology in preparation.

David E. Guggenheim, Ph.D.    

 

 

Ocean Conservation Consultant

 

Dr. David Guggenheim draws from nearly 25 years of multidisciplinary experience in environmental research, policy analysis, advocacy and environmental education. As The Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President for Conservation Policy, Dr. Guggenheim has led cooperative research and conservation programs in Cuba and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Previously, he served as President & CEO of The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and co-chair of the Everglades Coalition. He worked to elevate both organizations’ effectiveness at the state and national levels in protecting and restoring Florida’s Everglades. Prior to that, he was an environmental consultant where he conducted research on global warming, including an international study in Russia. He directed an international team of researchers in a study of Siberian forests. For 10 years, Dr. Guggenheim was vice president of Eco Analysis, Inc. in California, where he directed numerous environmental projects. He also served as president of the Friends of Channel Islands National Park. Dr. Guggenheim provides RPI with a range of guidance, from nonprofit management and fundraising to conservation methods and community-based solutions.

 

Sponsors/Partners

 

 

        

 
Deep Worker:

 

The deep worker is a one person, one atmosphere submersible manufactured of A516 grade 70 steel with 316 stainless steel hatch rings. It has a power source of two 17 inch diameter battery pods, each containing 10 high-ampere, deep cycle, AGM batteries. Maneuvering capability is with two main one horse power thrusters, plus two angled one horse power vertical thrusters, angled sufficiently to give lateral control.  Life support is supplied by two external oxygen cylinders, with two redundant mechanical oxygen controllers with internal electronic monitoring systems, carbon dioxide is removed via two scrubber systems. Onboard are emergency breathing gas backups. The operators view the surrounding environment through a Single 26 inch vision dome which also serves as the entry hatch. She is equipped with ‘Modified Imagenex” which can be changed from standard scan to ultra high resolution short range scan. Sound recording is done with a directional hydrophone. It is equipped with ‘Newt-Arms’, hydraulic manipulators which reach 5 feet and have multi-function with wrist lights and video attachments. Communications while on the Surface are with an ICOM VHF radio and while sub-surface an orcatron UQC and 27 KHZ radio system.

 

 

 

 

Technical Deep Diving Comments by Jim Culter 05 July 2005:

 

I admit I was initially apprehensive about the diving after hearing about the sub reports of strong bottom currents.  Having suggested divers as a sure fire method of collecting samples, I was concerned that we might get blown-out. So, our dive team held a strategy session and we changed our proposed diving protocol from a "fixed down line" to a "West Palm Beach drift dive" technique.  Diving a fixed down-line or anchor line in strong currents can be very strenuous (not good for deep diving).  For the drift diving technique the divers descend while drifting, carrying a hook attached to a surface buoy.  Once on the bottom the hook man attached the hook to a suitable anchor point.  For the most part this worked very well, although at times it was difficult to find a suitably stable anchor point as Pulley Ridge is like a stack of loose crackers.  Once on the bottom it was not too difficult to remain in position by keeping a low profile.  After finishing with the collection, you pull the hook and make a very easy drift ascent, and enjoy the plankton and occasional curious sharks during decompression.

 

For anyone interested in the diving details, the depths were mostly in the range of 220 - 225 ft deep.  The dive on the "worm gardens" was the deepest at approximately 245 ft. The bottom mix was generally 15% oxygen, 40-45% helium, and we used a travel mix of EAN32, and a deco gas of 80% oxygen. There was some small variation of these parameters to accommodate individual diver preference.  The targeted bottom time was set at 20 minutes or 1/3 of gas volume (whichever came first), which maintained a reasonable ascent and deco time. Most divers were using double LP 108 steel tanks, each with a regulator, including one with a 7 ft. second stage hose. The EAN32 bottle was an aluminum 80, the deco bottle aluminum 40 typical).  Buoyancy compensators consisted of cave style gear, back-plate with harness, double bladder or two sandwiched wings. Each diver also carried a cave reel, two lift bags, and a line cutter. Most divers used wetsuits with hood or semi-dry suits.  Lights were not necessary.

 

It was quite a pleasure to lead the first scientific divers to investigate Pulley Ridge with a hand picked dive team.  The Pulley Ridge coral area is a strange two-dimensional reef.  I think the low profile is due to currents.  Anything vertical would be toppled due to the lack of a firm anchoring substrate.

 

 

General observations by Jim Culter:

 

The Pulley Ridge coral area seems to be layer upon layer of the Agaricia coral.  How many layers is an intriguing question which could be addressed in the future.  Coral layers could be dated to determine the age of various layers.

 

There seems to be a lack of fish in terms of abundance (as compared to a shallow water reef).  Perhaps they come out at night or were frightened away by the divers.  On one dive we did drift by an area with grouper pits and one very large grouper came up to greet me for a moment.  He also had three very large resident lobsters in his pit.  Tilefish mounds were impressive 3, 4, 5 ft and more in height.

 

Colors: some unusual bright neon oranges, yellows, greens visible under ambient light (this is at 225 ft.)  Colors are not as noticeable under artificial light or sunlight (at the surface).  Bioluminescence may be important on Pulley Ridge. One evening while processing a sample in the dark I noticed several small luminescent spots on a piece of coral rock. I did not have a microscope and could not tell what type organisms were responsible, possibly an anemone tentacle or polychaete, or multiple sources. Dr. Kim Ritchie took a sample and applied it to a bacterial culture media.  To our surprise and delight luminescent bacterial colonies resulted.  Coral fragments were delivered to Mote's Center for Coral Reef Research on Summerland Key to attempt aquaculture.

 

Crustaceans: not particularly abundant, but I may have missed them, or they may be cryptic and hiding under the plate corals. Algae; quite a few species present mostly low profile or leafy varieties like Andaymonene, I am sure we did not collect all of the algae representatives.

 

On our last day of diving I deployed a set of three thermographs, one on bottom, one at 50 ft off bottom and a third 100 ft off bottom. They will record one temperature reading every hour for a period of approximately 465 days.  I am hopeful we will be able to go back and retrieve the thermographs.  Given the loop current regime of the area I am sure they will collect some interesting data.

 

It was a pleasure to work with everyone on this expedition.  Having been on the reef I can think of many questions regarding the structure and function of the reef, it is not the equivalent of a shallow reef, just deeper.  It was remarkable that a trip of this magnitude was implemented in less than 6 months.  I am especially grateful to Bob Halley, for extensive background information and assistance with organizing the details of collections, and Wes Tunnel for facilitating the finances, and of course the volunteer deep dive team.

 

Closed Circuit Rebreather Comments by Tim Taylor 05 July 2005

 

As Jim stated, the depths were mostly in the range of 220 - 225 ft deep.  The dive on the "worm gardens" was the deepest at approximately 245 ft. Some noted differences in rebreather diving. The bail-out mixes for the rebreathers were similar to the bottom mixes of the open circuit divers (generally 15% oxygen, 40-45% helium), and a deco gas of 80% oxygen).  No travel mix is used when diving a rebreather rather ppo2 set points are controlled by the unit. Diluent was a 10% oxygen and 50% helium.  A tank of pure oxygen is carried so the unit can custom blend at every stage of the dive, keeping the ppo2 constant. The targeted bottom time was set at 20 minutes and gas volume is only an issue when planning the size of your bailout needs. Note: Bailout cylinders were filled at the start of the expedition and never used as the rebreathers performed flawlessly.

 

Listed below were the units used:

 

Inspiration Rebreather- Silent Diving Systems, Inc.

Evolution Rebreather - Silent Diving Systems, Inc. most likely the first scientific expedition in which an Evolution was ever used.

Kiss Rebreather - Jetsam Technologies, Inc.

 

 

 

Conclusions: by Billy Causey;

 

This was possibly the most comprehensive and focused assessment of a deep-water coral reef environment ever undertaken, certainly in North America.  The Technical Divers were able to take hand samples of various coral reef inhabitants that were prepared and preserved by Dr. Kim Ritchie of Mote Marine Lab for more than two-dozen scientists.  The divers were also able to document the reef by collecting excellent photos and videos of the corals and its' associated fauna and flora.  The divers really carried the day in regards to actually collecting coral reef samples.

 

Sylvia Earle, GP Schmall, and Bob Halley piloted the Deep Worker and were able to get some excellent video and observations.  All in all, the expedition was a huge success, yielding an abundance of data and generating even more questions about this magnificent place.

 

 

  

Contractors

 

Sample Collections:

 

Mote scientists and volunteer divers were able to bring up over 200 samples, which were prepared for distribution to 24 scientists.  These samples included macro-algae, coralline algae, sponges, scleractinian corals (platy and branching), octocorals, antipitharians, benthic infauna, polychaetes, bryozoans, and mollusks. Dr.Kim Ritchie of Mote coordinated and directed the preservation and distribution of these samples.

 

 

Participants by organization/group:

 

 

Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

6300 Ocean Drive

Corpus Christi, TX 78412

 

 

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)

P.O. Box 500368

Marathon, FL 33050

 

U. S. Geological Survey Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies

600 4th Street South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

 

U.S. Geological Survey Center for Coastal and Marine Geology

Woods Hole Science Center

384 Woods Hole Road

Quissett Campus

Woods Hole, MA 02543-4598

 

Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary

1200 Briarcrest, Ste. 400

Bryan, TX 77802

 

Mote Marine Laboratory

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway

Sarasota, FL 34236

 

 

Research Vessel Tiburon

1107 Key Plaza #299

Key West, FL 33040

 

 

College of Marine Sciences

University of South Florida

140 7th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

 

 

Media – The Citizen (Key West)

3420 Northside Drive

Key West, FL 33040

 

Divers/Volunteers

 

 

 

Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER)

1827 Clement Avenue, Bldg. 19

Alameda, CA 94501

 

Samples were collected for: