DAY 10 - installation of the artificial reef
09 february 2022
BathyReef joins BathyBot
The artificial reef BathyReef was launched to land on the EMSO-LO site at a depth of 2400m. It's not planned for him to go up one day! The objective is to observe the colonization of the reef in the deep sea. It will be colonized first by microorganisms, then by larger life forms attracted by smaller ones - and so on. BathyReef will eventually become a real biodiversity hotspot! This will delight his friend BathyBot who will be able to follow his colonization thanks to his cameras. Their bond does not stop there! BathyReef will also allow BathyBot to gain height on the seabed. By climbing on it, the robot will have better visibility in cases where the suspended sediments are too high!
BathyReef is the project of the BathyBot team and it was designed by the Lab Rougerie+Tangram and by the Vicat group. Its particular shape is biomimetically inspired by ascidians, from the tunicate family. These marine animals have partitioned and rigid internal tissues, as explained on Day 2. Two important characteristics for an artificial reef which needs to have space to accommodate the different organisms, and which wants to be resistant to underwater pressure.
Let's take a closer look...
Inside the reef
This is what BathyReef looks like from the inside! All the branches you see and all the grooves they form are intended to support life in the depths. Organisms will colonize BathyReef by attaching themselves to its walls. Gradually, this habitat will attract more and more visitors. We count on BathyBot to follow its colonization!
Installed with the Nautile
BathyReef is a much more fragile piece of infrastructure than metallic devices like the Scientific Junction Box or BathyBot, and it is also very light.
As explained on Day 7, the immersion of light objects is the most difficult since they are more subject to the force of the current and the motion of the ship. Reaching the target landing point is a real challenge with an artificial reef made of concrete: BathyReef's fragility puts it at risk when hitting the bottom. To avoid damaging the reef, the immersion operation was accompanied by the Nautile. The submarine received it at 100m from the bottom to allow for its smooth installation! In the photo, we see the Nautile emerging from the water after the mission.
Welcome to BathyReef in deep water! The monitoring of its colonization by a robot like BathyBot and at this depth is a first!
Congratulations to the teams involved in their construction and deployment!
Crédit photo : Nicolas Fromont - @nicolasfromontphoto