Estimation of in situ distribution of carbonate produced from cold-water octocorals on a Japanese seamount in the NW Pacific.

The article presents a study which assesses the contribution of cold-water octocorals (CWOC) to carbonate production on the Shiribeshi Seamount in the Sea of Japan. It states that remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dive video and Primnoa pacifica specimens that were collected in and prior to 2001 from the seamount were analyzed in the study. It says that the diameter of cross-sections of branches and the carbonate weight per volume of specimens were measured to estimate the weight of the carbonate per colony while the amount of carbonate standing stock (CCS) was calculated through the analysis of CWOC distribution and the specimen data. The study reveals that CWOC fauna is potentially the most important element that contributes to the formation of carbonate sediments or limestone.