Work

Fluorescence at the hydrothermal vents of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: a proof of concept and the potential for ecological assessments

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: For the first time, the fluorescence of the hydrothermal vent communities of the Lucky Strike vent field (1700m depth on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge) was visualised using a non-invasive illumination method featuring a royal blue excitation light and a yellow barrier filter. Dominant fauna at the active vents consisted of Bathymodiolus azoricus mussels whose shells fluoresced and alvinocaridid shrimp with fluorescent spots on the carapax. Less conspicuous organisms such as gastropod limpets and pycnogonids exhibited remarkable fluorescence as well, facilitating their detection considerably. Besides the potential of this experimental setup as a detection tool it was also tested for its usefulness for ecological assessments using thresholding in image processing, which neatly separated fauna from substrata.

Source: Deep Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers

DOI: 10.1016/j.dsr.2026.104759

Authors: Daphne Cuvelier, Laurent Bignon, Eric Aujard-Catot, Guillaume de Parseval, Olivier Fauvin

Language: English

Topic: Marine Biology and Ecology Research

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,270

Funders: Foundation for Science and Technology, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia