Extending exploration variable collection to deep-sea maritime heritage sites

This paper proposes a conceptual plan to identify and prioritize baseline data for routine collection at maritime heritage sites for NOAA Ocean Exploration and for consideration by our partners, the archaeology- and ocean science communities. Maritime heritage resources and their surrounding environment (maritime heritage “sites”) are unique and have a profound impact on each other. Extending sampling operations to observe environmental and archaeological variables in these places will improve understanding of this interaction, the processes affecting site preservation, and the effect of maritime heritage sites on marine habitat. Proposed environmental and archaeological data and samples would be collected using remotely operated vehicle- and ship-based sensors and tools. Version 1.0