The objectives of this expedition are to:

• perform benthic and mid-water habitat baseline and oil impact assessments related to the DWH oil spill, targeting deep-water and shelf-edge reefs, and hard-bottom essential fish habitat; these include:
  • Deep-water Coral and Mesophotic Reef Ecosystems
  • Stress Responses of Corals and Other Marine Invertebrates Exposed to Oil and Chemical Dispersants
  • Quantitative Assessment of Zooplankton
  • Chemical Analysis of Sessile Benthic Taxa and Biomedical Resources
• document oil and dispersant impact on benthic and mid-water habitats and marine organisms within these target areas;
• document location of submerged oil plumes, if encountered; and
• conduct education and outreach activities, including:
  • An education leg during which university students, working with members of each of the research teams, will collect samples and analyze data to understand and characterize selected benthic and pelagic habitats
  • Daily logs and other cruise resources