Tiered deep-sea survey: AUV wide-area mapping then crewed/ROV close inspection
#00122
Use an AUV to fly lawnmower tracks over the dump zone and build georeferenced photo-mosaics locating individual drums, then send a crewed submersible or ROV for close visual assessment, radiometry, and sampling of selected targets. Two tiers make partial coverage of a 14,500 km²
CNRS-led NODSSUM project (with Ifremer, ASNR and partners), aboard R/V Pourquoi Pas ? · 2026 · Region
Second NODSSUM campaign (close-inspection tier): building on the 2025 AUV wide-area map, ~30 scientists used the crewed submersible Nautile to make 20 dives beyond 4,700 m onto zones of interest identified in the prior…
Crewed dives20dives
Dive depth>4700m
French Oceanographic Fleet / CNRS and partners · 1 source
CNRS-led NODSSUM project (with Ifremer, ASNR and partners), aboard R/V L'Atalante · 2025 · Region
First NODSSUM campaign (wide-area survey tier): the AUV Ulyx — on its first scientific deployment — flew lawnmower tracks over the abyssal plain at ~6 m above the seabed, acquiring high-resolution imagery assembled into…
Drums localised3355drums
Survey zone14500km²
French Oceanographic Fleet / CNRS and partners · 1 source