■ Currents: decoupled from the shelf flow; stronger or weaker; extremes 

 in current speed: net and oscillatory flows; 



■ Resuspension of fine-grained sediment: intensity and frequency; 



■ Species diversity and density: epifauna and infauna; different 

 trophic structure and feeding strategies; 



■ Role in fisheries: largely untrawled areas; nurseries for shelf 

 fisheries; refuge sites; stock populations; 



■ Different geochemical environment and potential for pollutant 

 scavenging as expressed by different lead-210 and plutonium-239/-240 

 inventories; 



■ Sediment accumulation rates: higher or lower. 



QUESTIONS 



To match scientific questions with supporting data, a list of questions 

 was developed in the general area of the geology and geochemistry of submarine 

 canyons. Each question was followed by a short list of data categories. Each 

 category is assessed as to whether the data support the idea (Y or N in the 

 first column); and which canyon(s) provided the data (second column: 

 O=0ceanographer; L=Lydonia; A=Atlantis; H=Hydrographer.) 



■ Do particles (sand and fine-grained sediment) enter canyons from the 

 shelf, based on: 



Y/N C 



1. Flow regime and calculations? Y L 



2. Barium concentrations? Y L 



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