September to November 2012 data contains vertical profiles of particles in the upper water column at six sites in first-year pack ice. The dataset provides normalized biomass for a series of equivalent spherical diameters (ESD) based on laser optical plankton counter (LOPC) measurements. Data were collected by the Australian Antarctic Division during the SIPEX II voyage of the Aurora Australis.
Use Cases
- Analyze particle size distribution trends with depth using the normalized biomass and equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) data.
- Model biomass concentration across different size classes (100 um to 20 mm) from the LOPC spectral data.
- Correlate plankton community structure with environmental conditions using site-specific vertical profile data.
- Compare particle sampling between ice hole and ship stern deployment methods using the logged deployment data.
Strengths
- Data covers a two-month continuous time range from 14 September to 16 November 2012.
- Profiles provide particle measurements from the surface down to 60 meters depth at six distinct sites.
- Particle size range is explicitly defined from 100 micrometers to 20 millimeters.
Limitations
- Sample size is limited to only six geographic sites.
- The small instrument aperture likely results in under-sampling of the largest particles (>20 mm).
- Data is over a decade old, limiting analysis of current conditions.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Antarctic Division (AU_AADC) via NASA Earthdata.
- Collection Method
- Laser optical plankton counter (LOPC) deployed through sea ice holes or from the ship stern, lowered to 60 m while logging.
- Time Range
- 14 September 2012 to 16 November 2012.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Six sites within first-year pack ice in the Antarctic region.