The complex oceanic currents in this part of the Atlantic result in the widespread occurrence of strongly oxygen-depleted subsurface water masses. Despite such seemingly unfavourable conditions, diverse benthic ecosystems thrive along the Angolan continental slope, including cold-water corals and cold seep ecosystems. While the corals are fuelled by organic matter filtering down from surface plankton productivity, the cold seep ecosystems obtain their energy from natural methane emissions at the seafloor.

As oxygen levels in the world ocean are predicted to decrease as a result of global change, the subtropical SE Atlantic can serve as a natural laboratory to understand how deep-sea marine ecosystems adapt to low oxygen conditions and, thus, to cope with one of the most serious threats to marine ecosystems.

Boundary of the iAtlantic study region: 8. Continental slope, margin and cold seep ecosystems – Angola to the Congo Lobe

The boundary of Region #8 was adjusted to better capture the work being carried out off Angola.UNIHB noted that the main working area off Angola is between 9...