Cave diving scientists
Detailed Description
Dive Safety Officer (DSO) Jake Emmert from Moody Gardens Aquarium enters a flooded coastal cave beneath the tropical forest of the Yucatan Peninsula through a small open-water pool, locally known as a cenote. Cave diving scientists John Pohlman (USGS) and David Brankovits (USGS/WHOI) will use these entrances over the coming days to access a vast network of passages where they are investigating ecosystem dynamics and ground water quality in this rapidly developing region. The USGS-led team will install a variety of devices specifically designed to sample and collect data this extreme environment to test the hypothesis that the ecosystem found deep with the caves utilizes methane as a food resource.
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.