Deep Submergence Facility Vehicles assist in response to oil spill

12:23 AM Fri 17 Dec 2010 GMT

'Funded by NSF and developed and operated by WHOI, the NDSF AUV Sentry is capable of exploring the ocean down to 14,764 feet (4,500 meters) depth. Equipped with its advanced analytical systems, it was used in the Gulf of Mexico to characterize a subsurface plume of hydrocarbons. It was able to crisscross plume boundaries 19 times to help determine the trapped plume?s size, shape, and composition. (Photo by Dan Torres, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)' Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) &copy

The U.S. National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) has had a growing and important role in the ocean science community?s response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. With the recent R/V Atlantis/Alvin expedition (Nov. 8 ? Dec. 3), now each of the NDSF vehicles ? the autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) Sentry, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason, and the manned submersible Alvin ? has been employed in the Gulf, to characterize the plume, collect samples, and map and explore the seafloor for signs of the spill?s impact. 'The Deepwater Horizon spill brought our attention to ...

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by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution