Figure 9. Species of 1/4-inch-long deep-sea sponges. 



Typical fouling organisms found in shallow water, such as barnacles, tunicates, 

 and bryozoa, were not found attached to the panels exposed at a depth of 6,800 feet. 



Wooden Panels . A total of twenty-six l/2x2x6-inch wooden test panels, 

 which included pine, fir, ash, maple, cedar, oak, and redwood, were exposed to 

 determine the effects of deep-sea animals on different woods. All the wooden 

 panels were attacked by marine borers and sustained light-to-heavy damage. The 

 severest damage was sustained by cedar and oak; moderate damage was sustained by 

 ash, pine, fir, and maple; and light damage was sustained by redwood. The external 

 sides of the panels exposed to seawater appeared to be relatively free of any borer 

 attack (Figure 10a); however, when the wooden panels were removed from the 

 phenolic laminated plastic sheet and the sides attached to the plastic sheet were 

 examined, it became evident that the interior of the wood was completely riddled 

 by marine borers (Figure 10b). The majority of the borer tunnels measured about 

 5/16 inch in diameter. The average borer tunnels in redwood measured about 

 1/8 inch in diameter. The loss in weight of each of these panels due to borer 

 damage is presented in the Appendix. The surface of the phenolic plastic sheet 

 to which the wooden panels were attached was also damaged by borer activity 

 (Figure 1 1). 



