@article {Ross2017,
	title = {{Deep-sea coral and hardbottom habitats on the west Florida slope, eastern Gulf of Mexico}},
	journal = {Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers},
	volume = {120},
	year = {2017},
	pages = {14{\textendash}28},
	abstract = {Until recently, benthic habitats dominated by deep-sea corals (DSC) appeared to be less extensive on the slope of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) than in the northeast Atlantic Ocean or off the southeastern US. There are relatively few bioherms (i.e., coral-built mounds) in the northern GOM, and most DSCs are attached to existing hard substrata (e.g., authigenically formed carbonate). The primary structure-forming, DSC in the GOM is Lophelia pertusa, but structure is also provided by other living and dead scleractinians, antipatharians (black corals), octocorals (gorgonians, soft corals), hydrocorals and sponges, as well as abundant rocky substrata. The best development of DSCs in the GOM was previously documented within Viosca Knoll oil and gas lease blocks 826 and 862/906 (north-central GOM) and on the Campeche Bank (southern GOM in Mexican waters). This paper documents extensive deep reef ecosystems composed of DSC and rocky hard-bottom recently surveyed on the West Florida Slope (WFS, eastern GOM) during six research cruises (2008{\textendash}2012). Using multibeam sonar, CTD casts, and video from underwater vehicles, we describe the physical and oceanographic characteristics of these deep reefs and provide size or area estimates of deep coral and hardground habitats. The multibeam sonar analyses revealed hundreds of mounds and ridges, some of which were subsequently surveyed using underwater vehicles. Mounds and ridges in {\textless}525 m depths were usually capped with living coral colonies, dominated by L. pertusa. An extensive rocky scarp, running roughly north-south for at least 229 km, supported lower abundances of scleractinian corals than the mounds and ridges, despite an abundance of settlement substrata. Areal comparisons suggested that the WFS may exceed other parts of the GOM slope in extent of living deep coral coverage and other deep-reef habitat (dead coral and rock). The complex WFS region warrants additional studies to better understand the influences of oceanography and geology on the occurrence of DSC and associated organisms. Protection measures are being considered to ensure the long-term integrity of this diverse ecosystem.},
	keywords = {ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	doi = {10.1016/j.dsr.2016.12.005},
	author = {Ross, S W and Rhode, M and Brooke, S}
}
@article {Brooke2017,
	title = {{Distributions and habitat associations of deep-water corals in Norfolk and Baltimore Canyons, Mid-Atlantic Bight, USA}},
	journal = {Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography},
	volume = {137},
	year = {2017},
	pages = {131{\textendash}147},
	abstract = {A multi-disciplinary study of two major submarine canyons, Baltimore Canyon and Norfolk Canyon, off the US mid-Atlantic coast focused on the ecology and biology of canyon habitats, particularly those supporting deep-sea corals. Historical data on deep-sea corals from these canyons were sparse with less than 750 records for the mid-Atlantic region, with most being soft sediment species. This study substantially increased the number of deep-sea coral records for the target canyons and the region. Large gorgonians were the dominant structure-forming coral taxa on exposed hard substrates, but several species of scleractinians were also documented, including first observations of Lophelia pertusa in the mid-Atlantic Bight region. Coral distribution varied within and between the two canyons, with greater abundance of the octocoral Paragorgia arborea in Baltimore Canyon, and higher occurrence of stony corals in Norfolk Canyon; these observations reflect the differences in environmental conditions, particularly turbidity, between the canyons. Some species have a wide distribution (e.g., P. arborea, Primnoa resedaeformis, Anthothela grandiflora), while others are limited to certain habitat types and/or depth zones (e.g., Paramuricea placomus, L. pertusa, Solenosmilia variabilis). The distribution of a species is driven by a combination of factors, which include availability of appropriate physical structure and environmental conditions. Although the diversity of the structure-forming corals (gorgonians, branching scleractinians and large anemones) was low, many areas of both canyons supported high coral abundance and a diverse coral-associated community. The canyons provide suitable habitat for the development of deep-sea coral communities that is not readily available elsewhere on the sedimented shelf and slope of the Mid-Atlantic Bight.},
	keywords = {ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	doi = {10.1016/j.dsr2.2016.05.008},
	author = {Brooke, S D and Watts, M W and Heil, A D and Rhode, M and Mienis, F and Duineveld, G C A and Davies, A J and Ross, S W}
}
@article {Prouty2016,
	title = {{Insights into methane dynamics from analysis of authigenic carbonates and chemosynthetic mussels at newly-discovered Atlantic Margin seeps}},
	journal = {Earth and Planetary Science Letters},
	volume = {449},
	year = {2016},
	pages = {332{\textendash}344},
	abstract = {The recent discovery of active methane venting along the US northern and mid-Atlantic margin represents a new source of global methane not previously accounted for in carbon budgets from this region. However, uncertainty remains as to the origin and history of methane seepage along this tectonically inactive passive margin. Here we present the first isotopic analyses of authigenic carbonates and methanotrophic deep-sea mussels, Bathymodiolus sp., and the first direct constraints on the timing of past methane emission, based on samples collected at the upper slope Baltimore Canyon (\~{}385 m water depth) and deepwater Norfolk (\~{}1600 m) seep fields within the area of newly-discovered venting. The authigenic carbonates at both sites were dominated by aragonite, with an average View the MathML source$δ$C13 signature of -47{\textperthousand}-47{\textperthousand}, a value consistent with microbially driven anaerobic oxidation of methane-rich fluids occurring at or near the sediment{\textendash}water interface. Authigenic carbonate U and Sr isotope data further support the inference of carbonate precipitation from seawater-derived fluids rather than from formation fluids from deep aquifers. Carbonate stable and radiocarbon (View the MathML source$δ$C13 and View the MathML source$Δ$C13) isotope values from living Bathymodiolus sp. specimens are lighter than those of seawater dissolved inorganic carbon, highlighting the influence of fossil carbon from methane on carbonate precipitation. U{\textendash}Th dates on authigenic carbonates suggest seepage at Baltimore Canyon between 14.7{\textpm}0.6 ka14.7{\textpm}0.6 ka to 15.7{\textpm}1.6 ka15.7{\textpm}1.6 ka, and at the Norfolk seep field between 1.0{\textpm}0.7 ka1.0{\textpm}0.7 ka to 3.3{\textpm}1.3 ka3.3{\textpm}1.3 ka, providing constraint on the longevity of methane efflux at these sites. The age of the brecciated authigenic carbonates and the occurrence of pockmarks at the Baltimore Canyon upper slope could suggest a link between sediment delivery during Pleistocene sea-level lowstand, accumulation of pore fluid overpressure from sediment compaction, and release of overpressure through subsequent venting. Calculations show that the Baltimore Canyon site probably has not been within the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ) in the past 20 ka, meaning that in-situ release of methane from dissociating gas hydrate cannot be sustaining the seep. We cannot rule out updip migration of methane from dissociation of gas hydrate that occurs farther down the slope as a source of the venting at Baltimore Canyon, but consider that the history of rapid sediment accumulation and overpressure may play a more important role in methane emissions at this site.},
	keywords = {ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	doi = {10.1016/j.epsl.2016.05.023},
	author = {Prouty, N G and Sahy, D and Ruppel, C D and Roark, E B and Condon, D and Brooke, S and Ross, S W and Demopoulos, A W J}
}
@article {Brooke2014,
	title = {{First observations of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa in mid-Atlantic canyons of the USA}},
	journal = {Deep-Sea Research. Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography},
	volume = {104},
	year = {2014},
	pages = {245{\textendash}251},
	abstract = {The structure-forming, cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa is widely distributed throughout the North Atlantic Ocean and also occurs in the South Atlantic, North Pacific and Indian oceans. This species has formed extensive reefs, chiefly in deep water, along the continental margins of Europe and the United States, particularly off the southeastern U.S. coastline and in the Gulf of Mexico. There were, however, no records of L. pertusa between the continental slope off Cape Lookout, North Carolina (NC) (\~{}34{\textdegree}N, 76{\textdegree}W), and the rocky Lydonia and Oceanographer canyons off Cape Cod, Massachusetts (MA) (\~{}40{\textdegree}N, 68{\textdegree}W). During a research cruise in September 2012, L. pertusa colonies were observed on steep walls in both Baltimore and Norfolk canyons. These colonies were all approximately 2 m or less in diameter, usually hemispherical in shape and consisted entirely of live polyps. The colonies were found between 381 m and 434 m with environmental observations of: temperature 6.4{\textendash}8.6 {\textdegree}C; salinity 35.0{\textendash}35.6; and dissolved oxygen 2.06{\textendash}4.41 ml L-1, all of which fall within the range of known L. pertusa distributions. All colonies were observed on vertical walls or underneath overhangs in areas of high current, which differs from observations further south, where L. pertusa colonizes rocky ledges and outcroppings, often forming large bioherms. We discuss observations from Baltimore and Norfolk canyons in the context of the known distribution of this species in the North Atlantic.},
	keywords = {ROV Jason (Remotely Operated Vehicle)},
	issn = {0967-0645},
	doi = {10.1016/j.dsr2.2013.06.011},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967064513002415},
	author = {Brooke, S and Ross, S W}
}
