Characterization of Algal-Invertebrate Mats at Offshore Platforms and the Assessment of Methods for Artificial Substrate Studies
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OCS Study MMS 2005-038 Coastal Marine Institute Characterization of Algal-Invertebrate Mats at Offshore Platforms and the Assessment of Methods for Artificial Substrate Studies Final Report U.S. Department of the Interior Cooperative Agreement Minerals Management Service Coastal Marine Institute Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Louisiana State University OCS Study MMS 2005-038 Coastal Marine Institute Characterization of Algal-Invertebrate Mats at Offshore Platforms and the Assessment of Methods for Artificial Substrate Studies Final Report Author R.S. Carney June 2005 Prepared under MMS Contract 14-35-0001-30660-19932 by Coastal Marine Institute Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 Published by U.S. Department of the Interior Cooperative Agreement Minerals Management Service Coastal Marine Institute Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Louisiana State University DISCLAIMER This report was prepared under contract between the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and Louisiana State University. This report has been technically reviewed by the MMS and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Service, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. It is, however, exempt from review and compliance with MMS editorial standards. REPORT AVAILABILITY Extra copies of the report may be obtained from the Public Information Office (Mail Stop 5034) at the following address: U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Public Information Office (MS 5034) 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 Telephone Number: (504) 736-2519 1-800-200-GULF CITATION Suggested citation: Carney, R.S. 2005. Characterization of Algal-Invertebrate Mats at Offshore Platforms and the Assessment of Methods for Artificial Substrate Studies: Final Report. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS, New Orleans, La. OCS Study MMS 2005-038. 93 pp. iii SUMMARY The composition of biofouling communities on three offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico was examined. A platform in South Timbalier block 54 lay in 22 m of water 40 km from shore. A platform in Grand Isle block 94 lay in 60 m of water 86 km offshore. A platform in Green Canyon lease block 18 lay in 219 m at 150 km offshore near the edge of the continental shelf. The three platforms had been the site of previous fisheries-related investigations and offered an offshore gradient. Research operations were carried out from the platforms with Exxon and Mobil corporations hosting and providing logistical support. Field sampling was initiated in November 1995, and completed September 1997. Video surveying, high-resolution photography, surface scraping, and settling plates were employed to describe the biota and to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods. Combined, the methods showed that the inshore ST-54 platform biota conformed to a previously recognized inshore type dominated by barnacles with overgrowths of algae and hydroids. The more seaward platforms conformed to a previously recognized offshore type dominated by a mix of bivalves and larger barnacles overgrown by sponges, hydroids, and ectoprocts (bryozoans). No evidence could be found of a bluewater assemblage. Settling plates showed that new crust was forming at a slower rate at the most offshore platform, GC-18. A scenario was developed which viewed the biofouling crust as a system in equilibrium between accretionary growth and crust shedding. Loss of crust is a direct consequence of the vertical orientation of platform benthos and is an important factor distinguishing platforms from natural systems. Accretion of the crust is dependent on the passing ocean water for food and new larval settlement. Biotic interactions such as predation, competition, and bioerosion all contribute to crust loss directly or in concert with wave surge. The ecological scenario of an equilibrium system helps identify high priority research questions. Of the methods applied, all provided data and some degree of understanding. Video survey, however, proved a poor tool for obtaining quantitative data on species composition, but was very useful for planning and site characterization. The higher resolution of photography was better for quantitative data, the complexity of layered assemblages escaped documentation. Scrape samples were most informative but lacked consistent quantification. Settling plates produced important rate information, but the demands on dive time proved unrealistic given constraints of weather and conflicting platform operations. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project required the cooperation and assistance of many people. The Coastal Marine Institute program of Minerals Management Service provided funding. Exxon-Mobil provided helicopter transportation, vessel shipping, and platform accommodations. Drs. Chuck Wilson and David Stanley arranged this industry cooperation. Dr. Stanley oversaw multiple platform projects. Dr. James Tolan directed diving. The diving party included J. Tolan, D. Stanley, Mark Miller, Ann Bull, Alan Roy, Joel Chaky, and Frank Shaughnessy. Dr. Shaughnessy initiated algal studies while in the laboratory of Dr. Russ Chapman. Elaine Evers, Debra Waters, and Floyd Demers provided technical support. Converting images and samples to data was largely carried out by undergraduate student workers: Kevin Kasovitch, Hal Palmer, Robin Hawes, Amanda Appelbaum, Lisa Appelbaum, Jonathan Comish, and Dmetry Chuenko. Dr. Mary Boatman of MMS contributed greatly to the improvement and completion of project reporting. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page FIGURES.....................................................................................................................................................xi TABLES ....................................................................................................................................................xiii 1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................1 1.1 A Unique Place and Time ...........................................................................................................1 1.2 A History of Approaches to Marine Fouling Communities........................................................1 1.2.1 Starting with Drag and Deterioration Questions ..........................................................1 1.2.2 Influenced by Community Ecology Theory.................................................................2 1.3 Gulf of Mexico Research History ...............................................................................................2 1.4 Gulf of Mexico Research Synthesis............................................................................................4 2 OBJECTIVES AND METHODS ..........................................................................................................5 2.1 Objectives ...................................................................................................................................5 2.2 Initial Design...............................................................................................................................5 2.3 Sites.............................................................................................................................................5 2.4 35-mm Photosurvey ....................................................................................................................7 2.4.1 Photosurvey Methods Background ..............................................................................7 2.4.2 Photographic Equipment and Study Design.................................................................8 2.5 Video Survey ..............................................................................................................................8 2.5.1 Background of Video Survey Methods........................................................................8 2.5.2 Video Equipment and Design.......................................................................................9 2.6 Scrape Sampling .........................................................................................................................9 2.6.1 Background of Scraping Survey Methods..................................................................10 2.6.2 Scraping Method and Design .....................................................................................10 2.7 Settling Plates............................................................................................................................10 2.7.1 Background of Settling Plate Methods.......................................................................10 2.7.2 Settling Plate Method and Design ..............................................................................11 3 SURVEY RESULTS ............................................................................................................................13 3.1 General Success of Field Efforts...............................................................................................13 3.2 Video Survey ............................................................................................................................13 3.3 35-mm Photographic Surveys...................................................................................................16 3.4 Scrape Samples