Geology and biology of the sea floor as deduced from simulaneous photographs and samples

During 1963, 260 paired photographs and large bottom samples were taken on the continental shelf and slope off northeastern United States. The photographs revealed surface characteristics of the sediments and natural attitudes of benthic animals; the samples retrieved specimens for geological and biological examination and identification.

Samples are the best source materials for making textural studies of sediments consisting mostly of sand, silt, or clay, but photographs are better than samples for bottoms too bouldery for proper sampling. Ripple marks and other surface irregularities revealed by the photographs supplement textural studies of the samples in deducing effects of wave movements and currents upon bottom materials.

For biological studies, the photographs yield much information on relationships of the benthic fauna to bottom materials, but they fail to provide useful data on biomasses. Biomasses and accurate taxonomic identifications are far better made upon samples. Thus, a combination of photographs and accompanying samples provides maximum information for biological as well as geological purposes.