Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Lim, A;Wheeler, AJ;Arnaubec, A
2017
August
Marine Geology
High-resolution facies zonation within a cold-water coral mound: The case of the Piddington Mound, Porcupine Seabight, NE Atlantic
Validated
WOS: 25 ()
Optional Fields
LOPHELIA-PERTUSA SCLERACTINIA MINGULAY REEF COMPLEX IODP EXP. 307 CARBONATE MOUNDS NORTHEAST ATLANTIC SPATIAL ASSOCIATION GROWTH HISTORY SIDESCAN SONAR ROCKALL TROUGH CURRENT REGIME
390
120
130
Framework-forming cold-water corals (CWC's) such as Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata generate positive topographic features on the seabed called CWC mounds. In the North East Atlantic, CWC mounds have been studied in detail and reveal heterogeneous spatial on-mound organisation of coral patches. Many of these studies are limited by a paucity of remotely-sensed and video imagery at an appropriate resolution and coverage. This study is the first attempt to video mosaic an entire CWC mound (the Piddington Mound of the Moira Mounds, Porcupine Seabight, Irish margin). The mosaic is divided into 18,980 0.25 m(2) cells with a manual classification applied to each within a geographic information system (GIS). Geospatial analysis shows that cell distribution is not random but clustered significantly across the mound surface. These clusters of cells make up a ring -like facies pattern. A model for the processes that lead to this facies pattern is suggested based on contemporary environmental controls. Parallels to shallow -water reef atolls are also drawn which subsequently has implications for interpreting fossil coral outcrops.
AMSTERDAM
0025-3227
10.1016/j.margeo.2017.06.009
Grant Details