The ROBIO and DOBO Landers: Deep-sea biodiversity surveys in areas of anthropogenic activity

The global demand for hydrocarbons and mineral resources is steadily depleting conventional reserves on land and in coastal waters. In recent years, considerable advances in technological ability have extended extractive industries into deeper water beyond the continental shelf. The composition, distribution and diversity of species assemblages in these environments are important aspects of the long-term stability and maintenance of the marine ecosystem. The introduction of oil extraction into poorly studied deep-sea environments has the potential to affect marine biodiversity through hydrodynamic activity associated with large underwater structures and extraction. In addition to existing exploration technology, environmental and diversity survey technologies are needed to meet the demand of modern environmental legislation. This article examines two technologies for monitoring biological indicators in the marine ecosystem - the robust diversity lander (ROBIO) and the deep-ocean benthic observer (DOBO). Both of these underwater vehicles are designed with experimental flexibility to be operated in a variety of baited or unbaited operational modes in response to user specific requirements. The data from both landers can contribute to ongoing monitoring programs with the aim of establishing environmental and biological baseline information prior to, and during, industrial activity.