The deep-sea rover Panta Rhei was developed as part of the MOSES, ARCHES and REEBUS projects funded by the Helmholtz Association and the BMBF. This three-axle, wheel-driven vehicle moves slowly along the seabed with almost stoic composure and repeatedly records the oxygen consumption of the seabed in special incubation chambers. These measurements can be used to derive the decomposition rate of organic material, an important parameter in marine biogeochemistry for determining the element cycles in the benthic ecosystem. Since measurements are carried out repeatedly over a longer period of time at different locations in two measuring chambers, both the spatial and temporal variability of the carbon cycle in the sea floor is recorded. Among other things, the coupling of seabed ecosystems with processes at the sea surface will be tracked.
In order to meet the high requirements of long-term deployments, simplicity, reliability and robustness were at the forefront of the rover's design. During the brainstorming phase, a stationary measuring platform (lander) was initially considered, which was to carry out repeated measurements with benthic chambers in its immediate environment on site over longer periods of time. However, this concept was rejected in favor of a wheel-driven vehicle due to its mechanical complexity and low payload. With a weight of approx. 1.2 tons and the dimensions of a small car (3 x 2 x 1.7 meters), the DSR Panta Rhei now offers sufficient space for the incubation chambers, sensors for recording oxygen, conductivity, flow, physical parameters as well as cameras, lighting, control units and the power supply. For short-term operations, a USBL modem enables positioning and data exchange with the ship.
