Mesobot reveals insights from the Twilight Zone

Capable of tracking and recording high-resolution images of slow-moving and fragile zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, Mesobot is providing scientists with a capability to observe creatures in their mesopelagic habitat with minimal disturbance. Mesobot will also enable greater understanding of the role these creatures play in transporting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the deep sea.

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In a paper published June 16 in Science Robotics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) senior scientist Dana Yoerger presented Mesobot as a versatile vehicle for achieving a number of science objectives in the twilight zone.

"Mesobot was conceived to complement and fill important gaps not served by existing technologies and platforms," Yoerger said in a statement. "We expect that Mesobot will emerge as a vital tool for observing midwater organisms for extended periods, as well as rapidly identifying species observed from vessel biosonars. Because Mesobot can survey, track, and record compelling imagery, we hope to reveal previously unknown behaviours, species interactions, morphological structures, and the use of bioluminescence."