Pagecontent:
Project GB5
Linking benthic fluxes and ecology of the ocean floor
A. Boetius, H. Sahling, F. Wenzhöfer
G. Bohrmann, D. DeBeer, N. Dubilier, H.-U. Hinrichs, A. Ramette, V. Ratmeyer, G. Wegener, M. Zabel
Background
The overarching objective of Project GB5 is to understand the connection between energy flow and the ecology at the ocean floor. It focuses on cold seeps but also contributes to research at vents and the surrounding deep sea.
GB5 concentrates on seafloor processes and benthic communities, linking work on subsurface geo- and biospheres (GB3), as well as to the benthic boundary layer (GB 2). It closely collaborates with GB4 for connecting the mapping of seafloor structures with areal estimates of community distribution at cold seeps, and with Cluster Project F2 in the study of hydrothermal vent processes.
GB 5 carries out comparative analysis of different benthic habitats to understand the role of the seafloor in global element budgets, and in the shaping of benthic communities. To achieve this goal in a quantitative manner, GB5 improves analytical in-situ technology for deep-water geo-biosphere research and collaborate with Z for innovative developments in deep submergence vehicles.
