Ana Hilário (deep-sea ecologist in CESAM/DBIO and co-lead of the UN Decade programme Challenger 150) and the University of Aveiro (UA) PhD student Bibiana Nassongole (also lecturer at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Lúrio, Mozambique) are currently aboard the OceanXplorer research vessel to study unexplored seamounts in the Indian Ocean.
Their focus is on understanding the patterns of biodiversity and distribution of deep-sea invertebrates, in particular soft corals. This research is a continuation of Bibiana’s PhD in Biology and Ecology of Global Change and will directly contribute to achieve Challenger 150 main goals: to expand deep-ocean biological observations and sampling on underexplored regions and build fundamental ecological understanding of deep-ocean ecosystems including ecosystem services delivered by the deep ocean.
The cruise is the first leg of the “Around Africa Expedition” and is organized by OceanQuest, OceanX, and the National Research Foundation – South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON). Driven by the African Network of African Deep-Water Researchers this cruise is providing opportunities for researchers from various African countries, particularly early career researchers.
In addition to the scientific importance, Bibiana’s participation marks a milestone for marine research in Mozambique, as the UA PhD student and lecturer at UniLúrio Bibiana Nassongole becames the first Mozambican to descend to the ocean floor in a submersible. On board the submersible Neptune, she reached a depth of 560 meters and had the opportunity to observe corals and other forms of life in a rarely explored environment. This experience not only strengthens Mozambican deep-sea research but also serves as an inspiration for young Mozambican scientists, showing that it is possible to break barriers and explore the mysteries of the deep ocean.