Benthic Community Survey, Mertz Glacier Region, East Antarctica - Post Survey Report, RSV Aurora Australis, Marine Science Voyage (2010/11 VMS), January - February 2011

Brief description

The Marine Science Voyage (2010/11 VMS) to the Mertz Glacier region was a collaborative survey involving scientists from a number of research institutions, working across a number of different projects, with the overall aim of conducting a coordinated and comprehensive study to measure and monitor the impact of the Mertz Glacier calving event on the local and regional environment.
The survey took place in January 2011 and enabled the collection of data shortly after the calving event so that physical, chemical and biological changes in response to the new conditions can be monitored over time. As such, data collected on VMS will provide a benchmark for tracking future change in the Mertz Glacier region environment.
Geoscience Australia and the Australian Antarctic Division conducted a benthic community survey during the voyage. The purpose of the benthic community survey was to collect high-resolution still images of the sea floor to address three main objectives:
1. to investigate benthic community composition in the area previously covered by the MGT and to the east, an area previously covered by approximately 30 m of fast ice;
2. to investigate benthic community composition (or lack thereof) in areas of known iceberg scours; and
3. to investigate the lateral extent of hydrocoral communities along the shelf break.
The survey collected over 1800 images of the sea floor on the continental shelf and slope in the Mertz Glacier region, including in the area previously covered by the Mertz Glacier tongue. There were 75 successful camera deployments and a further 7 stations where images were of poor quality but may still provide useful information.
The benthic images will be examined in detail to provide information on benthic community composition and substrate type. The survey has provided a major new set of data which will greatly enhance the understanding of Antarctic marine biodiversity and the relationship between physical conditions and benthic communities.

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