The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report

Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report
Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report
This report presents the results from the SERPENT project collaborative research with Chevron at the
Rosebank deep-water exploration site. SERPENT visited the Stena Carron drill ship in the Faroe Shetland
Channel (FSC) to investigate megafaunal diversity at the seabed (1124m depth) and determine the effects of
disturbance resulting from the drilling activities on the seabed and benthic organisms.
The Magnum 156 remotely operated vehicle (ROV), was used to take eight video transects of at least 100m
in length which were used to assess visually the extent of drill cuttings and to determine megafaunal
densities. Sediment samples were also collected using ROV operated push cores at 250 and 400m from the
well to determine heavy metal concentrations, total organic matter and particle size distribution.
These methods suggested disturbance was variable depending on heading but drill cuttings completely
covered the seabed 70m from the well and there was partial coverage to approximately 100m. Analysis of
the sediment showed elevated Barium concentration in surface sediments close to the well. These physical
changes were associated with significant reductions in megafaunal abundance and changes in the
megafaunal community structure, with very few animals observed in a 60m radius of the well.
In addition, specimens of the characteristic megafauna were collected and physical data from the water
column was logged. An experiment was carried out to investigate bioturbation rate in disturbed and
undisturbed sediment. Luminophore tracer particles were added to the sediment surface in corrals which
were either controls or treated with a sedimentation disturbance event. The sediment was later sampled and
sectioned for subsequent analysis.
81
National Oceanography Centre
Jones, D.O.B.
44fc07b3-5fb7-4bf5-9cec-78c78022613a
Roterman, C.N.
7169c257-5fd7-4c20-87b5-ee38c72ea140
Gates, A.R.
327a3cc6-2e53-4090-9f96-219461087be9
Jones, D.O.B.
44fc07b3-5fb7-4bf5-9cec-78c78022613a
Roterman, C.N.
7169c257-5fd7-4c20-87b5-ee38c72ea140
Gates, A.R.
327a3cc6-2e53-4090-9f96-219461087be9

Jones, D.O.B., Roterman, C.N. and Gates, A.R. (2010) Chevron Rosebank SERPENT final report (National Oceanography Centre Southampton Research and Consultancy Report, 81) Southampton, UK. National Oceanography Centre 48pp.

Record type: Monograph (Project Report)

Abstract

This report presents the results from the SERPENT project collaborative research with Chevron at the
Rosebank deep-water exploration site. SERPENT visited the Stena Carron drill ship in the Faroe Shetland
Channel (FSC) to investigate megafaunal diversity at the seabed (1124m depth) and determine the effects of
disturbance resulting from the drilling activities on the seabed and benthic organisms.
The Magnum 156 remotely operated vehicle (ROV), was used to take eight video transects of at least 100m
in length which were used to assess visually the extent of drill cuttings and to determine megafaunal
densities. Sediment samples were also collected using ROV operated push cores at 250 and 400m from the
well to determine heavy metal concentrations, total organic matter and particle size distribution.
These methods suggested disturbance was variable depending on heading but drill cuttings completely
covered the seabed 70m from the well and there was partial coverage to approximately 100m. Analysis of
the sediment showed elevated Barium concentration in surface sediments close to the well. These physical
changes were associated with significant reductions in megafaunal abundance and changes in the
megafaunal community structure, with very few animals observed in a 60m radius of the well.
In addition, specimens of the characteristic megafauna were collected and physical data from the water
column was logged. An experiment was carried out to investigate bioturbation rate in disturbed and
undisturbed sediment. Luminophore tracer particles were added to the sediment surface in corrals which
were either controls or treated with a sedimentation disturbance event. The sediment was later sampled and
sectioned for subsequent analysis.

Text
81_Rosebank.pdf - Other
Restricted to Registered users only
Download (2MB)
Request a copy

More information

Published date: July 2010
Additional Information: Deposited at the authors request
Organisations: Marine Biogeochemistry

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 160967
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/160967
PURE UUID: 094b9f0f-41fb-4d8d-9ad6-baed63ef8dfa

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 21 Jul 2010 15:39
Last modified: 09 Apr 2024 16:31

Export record

Contributors

Author: D.O.B. Jones
Author: C.N. Roterman
Author: A.R. Gates

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×