Studies of Benthic Fauna within the Project Assessment of the Current State of Environmental Systems in the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean and Their Periodic Variability

Studies of the benthic fauna in the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic within the Project were carried out on the 87th cruise of the RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh (January 19-February 14, 2022) in the Bransfield Strait, the Powell Basin of the Weddell Sea, and the Orkney and Laurie Troughs. At 11 stations in the depth range of 362-5490 m, eight Sigsbee trawls and three box corer were taken, and visual observations were made on two phototransects using the AUV MMT-3500. New data were obtained on the biodiversity and community structure of the benthic communities.

Automated summary

This study conducted research on the benthic fauna in the Antarctic's Atlantic sector during the 87th cruise of RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh. The study focused on the Bransfield Strait, the Powell Basin of the Weddell Sea, and the Orkney and Laurie Troughs. Data was collected using Sigsbee trawls, box corers, and visual observations with the AUV MMT-3500. The study provided new insights into the biodiversity and community structure of benthic communities in the Antarctic.