RV SONNE SO216

SO-216 (BAMBUS) Townsville, Australia – eastern Manus Basin, Papua-New Guinea

Between Juni 14 and July 23 of 2011 MARUM scientists used the German research vessel SONNE for hydrothermal studies in the Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. During the transits and in the Manus Basin, bathymetric maps of the seafloor were produced. In the study area, the ROV MARUM-QUEST was used to map and sample hydrothermal vent systems in water depths between 1150 and 1800 meters below sealevel. Quest can document venting with HD photos and videos and take samples of rocks, fauna, and fluids. The international team of scientist onboard included Geologists, Geochemists, Microbiologists, ecologists, and biogeochemists. The main goal was examinations of the numerous and varied vents with specific focus on interactions between geochemical and biological processes.