ZO4815: ABYSSAL AND HADAL ENVIRONMENTS (2014-2015)

This course will cover the history, discovery and exploration of the very deepest parts of the oceans; the Abyssal zone (3000-6000m) and the Hadal zone (6000-11,000m). Content will cover many aspects including sampling technology, geological formation, physical environment, complex habitats, adaptations to extreme environments and detailed coverage of the communities found at abyssal and full ocean depth. The course will provide insight into the most state-of-the-art technology and research and will place these still vastly unexplored habitats in a global context under the umbrella of an ever changing climate and the influence they have on human activities. Relevant ecological theory, applications and sampling/data analysis approaches will be obtained from lectures, discussions and a practical assignment.

Course Aims

The central aim of this course is to provide an overview of deep (abyssal) and ultra-deep (hadal) marine benthic environments and illustrate their importance at local and global scales. The course is designed for marine ecologists who wish to specialise in deep sea environments.

Main Learning Outcomes

By the end of this interdisciplinary course you will have acquired knowledge on:

• a historical overview of deep-sea research;
• the physical and biological environment of the deep sea;
• methods for studying abyssal and hadal regions, including recent advances in observational technology;
• the distribution and adaptations of abyssal and hadal fauna;
• the complexity of deep sea habitats and their effect on food supply and community structure; and
• the present and future impact of human activities on the deep sea.

Course Content

Historical aspects of deep sea research

• Sampling methodologies
• Plains and trench formation and geographical setting
• Environmental conditions and biological adaptation
• Reproduction, dispersal and connectivity
• Topographically and geologically complex habitats
• Abyssal and hadal crustacea
• Deep-sea fish
• Benthic invertebrates
• Biological productivity and food supply
• Distribution and zonation: depth related trends
• Ecological theory
• Anthropogenic impacts and a changing climate
• Case study of the Kermadec Trench
• Current research and future vision
• Three structured revision sessions

 

Practical content:

Lander design and analytical techniques for studying deep-sea communities.

Transferrable Skills

Scientific writing, Image analysis, Data management, Data handling, Referencing, Group work, Literature searching.

 

This course is an ideal companion to ZO4542.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View ZO4815 Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour exam (70%), one practical (20%) and one oral presentation (10%).

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during discussions and the practical session.

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.

None.