Oceanographic and Ecosystem Studies in the Atlantic Sector of Antarctica (Cruise 87 of the Research Vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh)

An expedition to study the ecosystems of the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic was carried out in cruise 87 of R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh between January 19 and February 14, 2022. The studies were carried out in the key regions for understanding modern processes in the ecosystem of the Southern Ocean and in the regions of interest for Russian fisheries, namely, the Powell Basin of the Weddell Sea, the Bransfield Strait, Antarctic Sound, and at the test site east of the South Orkney Islands. Materials characterizing the state of the environment, pelagic communities, including the population of the Antarctic krill and mesopelagic fish, benthic fauna, and the spatial and temporal variability of the most important components of ecosystems, were obtained.

Automated summary

An expedition was conducted from January 19th to February 14th, 2022, to study the ecosystems of the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic. The expedition focused on understanding modern processes in the Southern Ocean ecosystem and regions of interest for Russian fisheries. Materials were collected to characterize the environment, pelagic communities, benthic fauna, and the variability of important ecosystem components.