2025
2.
Radeta, Marko; Monteiro, João Gama; Pestana, João; Vieira, Dinarte; Abreu, Pedro; Silva, Rodrigo; Schäfer, Susanne; Ramalhosa, Patrício; etc,; Canning-Clode, João
MARS: Programmable multipurpose auto-release system for aquatic observations Journal Article
In: Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, vol. n/a, no. n/a, 2025.
@article{https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10688,
title = {MARS: Programmable multipurpose auto-release system for aquatic observations},
author = {Marko Radeta and João Gama Monteiro and João Pestana and Dinarte Vieira and Pedro Abreu and Rodrigo Silva and Susanne Schäfer and Patrício Ramalhosa and etc and João Canning-Clode},
url = {https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lom3.10688},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10688},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-04-25},
journal = {Limnology and Oceanography: Methods},
volume = {n/a},
number = {n/a},
abstract = {Abstract Aquatic biodiversity assessments are often labor-intensive due to the large size of the equipment and the complex logistics of sea vessel operations. Traditional drift and drop cameras are typically tethered to the surface, causing cable and line clutter on sea vessels. At the same time, landers rely on auto-release mechanisms that use costly acoustic signals or inaccurate galvanic reactions. We introduce a reusable, novel, and low-cost Multipurpose Auto-Release System, a versatile and programmable solution for diverse payloads and applications in shallow and mesophotic waters. Building on existing drop-cam and Baited Remote Underwater Video System techniques, we enhance them with natural ballasts and an electronically controlled timed-release mechanism, which is programmed via a smartphone app using Near Field Communication. Our technique allows tetherless retrieval from small sea vessels at the sea surface. This innovation simplifies aquatic monitoring logistics by eliminating the need for surface buoys or equipment retrieval from the seabed during each deployment. Our approach also advances benthic and deep-sea marine biodiversity assessments by enabling easy systems deployment and recapture without pingers. We validated the system through 10 seawater tests, reaching depths of 278 m, accumulating 6 h of submerged data collection, and 17 d during continuous water immersion. We provide a detailed guide for building this robust, reusable, user-friendly tool for diverse aquatic monitoring assessments. Additionally, we share key lessons learned, paving the way toward more democratized, customizable, and widely accessible applications capable of reaching the deepest seas.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Abstract Aquatic biodiversity assessments are often labor-intensive due to the large size of the equipment and the complex logistics of sea vessel operations. Traditional drift and drop cameras are typically tethered to the surface, causing cable and line clutter on sea vessels. At the same time, landers rely on auto-release mechanisms that use costly acoustic signals or inaccurate galvanic reactions. We introduce a reusable, novel, and low-cost Multipurpose Auto-Release System, a versatile and programmable solution for diverse payloads and applications in shallow and mesophotic waters. Building on existing drop-cam and Baited Remote Underwater Video System techniques, we enhance them with natural ballasts and an electronically controlled timed-release mechanism, which is programmed via a smartphone app using Near Field Communication. Our technique allows tetherless retrieval from small sea vessels at the sea surface. This innovation simplifies aquatic monitoring logistics by eliminating the need for surface buoys or equipment retrieval from the seabed during each deployment. Our approach also advances benthic and deep-sea marine biodiversity assessments by enabling easy systems deployment and recapture without pingers. We validated the system through 10 seawater tests, reaching depths of 278 m, accumulating 6 h of submerged data collection, and 17 d during continuous water immersion. We provide a detailed guide for building this robust, reusable, user-friendly tool for diverse aquatic monitoring assessments. Additionally, we share key lessons learned, paving the way toward more democratized, customizable, and widely accessible applications capable of reaching the deepest seas.
2024
1.
Canning-Clode, João; Gizzi, Francesca; Braga-Henriques, Andreia; etc,; Monteiro, João G.
A pioneering longterm experiment on mesophotic macrofouling communities in the North Atlantic Journal Article
In: Communications Biology, vol. 7, no. 1618, 2024, ISSN: 2399-3642.
@article{nokey,
title = {A pioneering longterm experiment on mesophotic macrofouling communities in the North Atlantic},
author = {João Canning-Clode and Francesca Gizzi and Andreia Braga-Henriques and etc and João G. Monteiro},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07249-4},
issn = {2399-3642},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-12-04},
journal = {Communications Biology},
volume = {7},
number = {1618},
abstract = {The mesophotic zone represents one of our planet’s largest and least explored biomes. An increasing number of studies evidence the importance of macrofouling species in marine ecosystems, but information on these communities and the factors influencing their structures at mesophotic depths remain poor. This lack of understanding limits our ability to predict anthropogenic impacts or conduct restoration operations in the mesophotic and the lower boundary of the euphotic zones. In this study, we performed a 24-month experiment in a natural environment to investigate three factors influencing the macrobenthic community structure of the mesophotic and the euphotic lower boundary: depth, substrate orientation and substrate material. Using a manned submersible, several recruitment panels of two different materials were deployed at 100, 200 and 400 meters in vertical and horizontal positions. All three factors contributed to structuring the macrofouling communities, but depth and substrate orientation displayed the strongest effects. This study not only advances our understanding of lower boundary euphotic and mesophotic macrofouling communities but also establishes a foundation for future research and restoration efforts of mesophotic environments in the Madeira archipelago, where mesophotic habitats are among the least studied marine habitats in the Northeast Atlantic.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The mesophotic zone represents one of our planet’s largest and least explored biomes. An increasing number of studies evidence the importance of macrofouling species in marine ecosystems, but information on these communities and the factors influencing their structures at mesophotic depths remain poor. This lack of understanding limits our ability to predict anthropogenic impacts or conduct restoration operations in the mesophotic and the lower boundary of the euphotic zones. In this study, we performed a 24-month experiment in a natural environment to investigate three factors influencing the macrobenthic community structure of the mesophotic and the euphotic lower boundary: depth, substrate orientation and substrate material. Using a manned submersible, several recruitment panels of two different materials were deployed at 100, 200 and 400 meters in vertical and horizontal positions. All three factors contributed to structuring the macrofouling communities, but depth and substrate orientation displayed the strongest effects. This study not only advances our understanding of lower boundary euphotic and mesophotic macrofouling communities but also establishes a foundation for future research and restoration efforts of mesophotic environments in the Madeira archipelago, where mesophotic habitats are among the least studied marine habitats in the Northeast Atlantic.