hundreds of brownish circular egg cases of some unknown animal; and several sea fans 

 or gorgonians (Figure 13). When the gorgonians were first recovered, they were a 

 brilliant orange. After several days, the fanlike growth, which resembles a coral 

 growth, gradually turned white. 



Apparently when the grapple lowered to the bottom of the sea from the stern 

 of the ship caught the polyethylene-covered steel rope stretched across the sea floor 

 and connected to the top of the STU, the ship was unable to stop immediately, and 

 consequently the STU was tipped over on its side and dragged across the ocean 

 floor for some unknown distance. During this time, the rock samples were acciden- 

 tally caught in the STU frame. 



The metal test panels and the test specimens in the biological racks were 

 carefully examined, and any organisms attached to these specimens were photographed. 

 The animals were then carefully lifted from the test specimens and preserved in a 5% 

 glycerol -alcohol solution for further examination and analysis in the laboratory. 



The bio-racks attached to the side of the STU were disassembled. The individual 

 test specimens were placed in plastic bags for later examination, tests, and evalua- 

 tion in the laboratory. 



The treatment of the test materials aboard the ship was as follows: The wood 

 test panels riddled with marine borers were soaked in an alcohol solution to prevent 

 decay and were placed in plastic bags. The wood panels for fungi determination 

 were placed directly into sterile plastic bags, sealed, and stored in the ship's refrig- 

 erator. The rope specimens for the study of marine microorganisms responsible for 

 the decay of cotton and jute fibers were also placed in sterile plastic bags, sealed, 

 and then stored in a refrigerator. The 3-foot-long plastic rods and tubes and other 

 plastic materials were also placed in plastic bags and sealed. This was done to 

 prevent the loss of moisture present in the plastics so that moisture absorption and 

 hardness tests could be conducted at NCEL. 



Marine Growth on Test Materials 



The test materials are listed in Table 4, and the results of their exposure are 

 summarized. 



Metal Panels . In general there was very little fouling growth on the metal test 

 panels. Species of hydroids (Figure 14) and possibly a Tubularia sp. (Figure 15) were 

 the major attachment organisms. Moderate growths of hydroids were also found on the 

 ends of several nuts and bolts (Figure 16). However, in addition to these growths, a 

 single sea anemone about 1/4 inch in diameter was found securely attached to the 

 surface of a stainless steel panel. 



Close-up views of the hydroids and Tubularia are shown in Figures 17 and 18, 

 respectively. 



Typical fouling organisms found on panels placed in shallow water, such as 

 barnacles, tunlcates, and bryozoa, were not found attached to any of the panels 

 exposed on the sea floor at a depth of 5,640 feet. 



13 



