Accessing Unique Environments

Using Harbor Branch's JOHNSON-SEA-LINK manned submersibles, DBMR has collected unique samples of marine organisms from depths as great as 3,000 feet. The Division has assembled an inventory of marine invertebrates, algae and microorganisms which comprise a broad spectrum of phylogenetic, geographic, temporal and chemical diversity. Although we have explored habitats around the world, we continue to discover new habitats and new species closer to home. For example, in August 1999, we were the first to explore sinkholes nearly 1,800 feet deep off the Florida Keys. In addition to collecting three possibly new species of sponges, we also found fossil dugong bones that will help geologists better understand the processes leading to formation of these sinkholes. In May 2000 and October 2003, we conducted expeditions throughout the southern Caribbean islands including Curacao, Bonaire, San Salvador and Aruba. Daily dispatches from these two expeditions by correspondent Mark Carroll are archived on our mission coverage website ( www.at-sea.org) and capture the excitement of our discoveries.