Australian Scientists Deploy Robots to Explore Remote Reef Secrets
(MENAFN) Australian researchers are deploying state-of-the-art underwater robotic technology to investigate remote and scarcely explored reef ecosystems in the South Pacific, the University of Sydney announced Tuesday.
This significant international mission involves Australian scientists charting deep-sea environments and marine biodiversity around Norfolk Island, a secluded Australian territory situated 1,600 kilometers northeast of Sydney. This region stands out as one of the South Pacific's most critical ecological zones, according to the university’s press statement.
The island's unique position, bridging tropical and temperate marine ecosystems, makes it essential for monitoring shifts in species distribution and assessing the impacts of climate change, the release emphasized.
The Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), outfitted with advanced sensors and high-definition cameras, are capturing tens of thousands of images to develop detailed 3D representations of the ocean floor and record marine organisms with remarkable precision. These underwater robots act as the "eyes and hands" for scientists, enabling safe exploration of deep-water zones unreachable by human divers, the university explained.
"It's the first time that parts of the seabed in the Norfolk Ridge will be imaged in this detail," said Stefan Williams from the University of Sydney's Australian Center for Robotics.
This expedition brings together researchers from Australia and New Zealand working collaboratively to map the seabed and collect marine samples, including fish, corals, molluscs, and algae, to improve understanding of the area's biodiversity, the team reported.
"Norfolk Island is a key oceanic stepping stone for species between tropical New Caledonia and temperate New Zealand," stated Shane Ahyong, acting chief scientist at the Australian Museum Research Institute, who is leading the expedition's second phase.
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