Fed: Reef robot for future work on global warming effects

AAP General News (Australia)
04-02-2004
Fed: Reef robot for future work on global warming effects

A robot submarine designed to map the Great Barrier Reef at new depths and monitor
the effects of global warming has been trialled in Sydney Harbour.

Scientists from the University of Sydney hope to launch the $60,000 submarine off the
coast of Gladstone in Queensland mid-year, but are still fine tuning the software for
the machine.

Project leader STEFAN WILLIAMS says the research is important in light of recent reports
that major changes are occurring in the reef ecosystem due to a rise in sea temperature
and global warming.

The submarine, which is tethered to a research vessel, is fitted with cameras and sonars.

It maps the bottom of the ocean, sending data back to a computer.

Dr WILLIAMS says the submarine can achieve depths beyond the reach of scuba divers
who previously tried to carry out the same work.

AAP RTV ved/ld/jo/psm/

KEYWORD: ROBOT (SYDNEY)

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