Exploring the Unseen: Microscope Operated by Scuba Divers Reveals Intricate Coral Biology
A groundbreaking underwater microscope, known as the Benthic Underwater Microscope imaging-PAM (BUMP), is providing scientists with a unique opportunity to study coral reefs at a microscopic scale, offering insights into the health of these vital marine ecosystems.
The BUMP microscope, developed by engineers and marine researchers in the Jaffe Lab at the University of California, San Diego, combines high-resolution imaging with Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometry to analyse coral tissue and skeleton structures in three dimensions directly underwater[1]. This innovative technology offers detailed 3-D definitions of coral tissue and skeleton, allowing researchers to observe the fine-scale architecture and health of coral colonies without removing samples from their natural environment[1].
The microscope's capabilities are particularly valuable for assessing reef health. By visualising coral microstructure, it can detect early signs of stress or disease, measure photosynthetic activity to indicate the efficiency of the coral’s symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), a key marker for coral vitality, and provide detailed data on the relationship between coral tissue and skeleton, enhancing understanding of growth patterns and responses to environmental changes[1].
This technology is proving to be a powerful tool for monitoring coral reefs, enabling precise and non-destructive health assessments that are vital for conservation efforts amid the increasing threats to coral ecosystems[1]. The findings from the BUMP microscope could help guide mitigation strategies to better protect corals.
The microscope's use is non-invasive, as scientists can study corals without collecting samples or touching them. This is a significant advantage, as it allows for the study of the health and physiology of coral reefs in their natural habitat, advancing longstanding efforts to uncover why corals bleach[1].
The BUMP microscope has already yielded new insights into the relationship between corals and the symbiotic microalgae that support their health. For instance, a recent observation made with the BUMP microscope showed a coral polyp attempting to capture or remove a passing particle by rapidly contracting its tentacles[1].
The BUMP imaging system has potential for studying other small-scale marine organisms that photosynthesize, such as baby kelp. Researchers at Scripps Oceanography are already using the BUMP imaging system to study the early life stages of giant kelp off California[1].
The BUMP microscope was designed and built by engineers and marine researchers in the Jaffe Lab with funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The study describing the BUMP microscope's capabilities was published July 3 in the journal Methods in Ecology and Evolution[1].
Scripps Oceanography, where the research was conducted, is a world-renowned center for global earth science research and education, offering unparalleled education and training for future scientific and environmental leaders. The institution operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, a public exploration center that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.
This study was co-authored by Paul Roberts, Dimitri Deheyn, Pichaya Lertvilai, Devin Ratelle, Jennifer Smith, Joseph Snyder, and Daniel Wangpraseurt of Scripps Oceanography, along with Ben-Zvi and Jaffe. The BUMP microscope is small enough to fit in a carry-on suitcase and light enough for a diver to transport to the seafloor without requiring ship-based assistance[1].
The BUMP microscope incorporates pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) light techniques to offer an unprecedented look at coral photosynthesis on micro-scales. It is hoped that this technology will continue to provide valuable insights into the health and resilience of coral reefs, helping to guide conservation efforts and protect these vital ecosystems from the impacts of climate change.
Oceanographic research using the Benthic Underwater Microscope imaging-PAM (BUMP) is leveraging technology to analyze coral tissue and skeleton structures in three dimensions directly underwater, enabling detailed assessments of coral reef health. This innovative oceanographic research, developed by the Jaffe Lab at the University of California, San Diego, combines high-resolution imaging with Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometry to offer insights into the health of coral reefs, aiding conservation efforts amid increasing threats to marine ecosystems.
