Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Survey Data from RV Investigator Voyage

Over 40 distinct oceanographic and atmospheric instruments collected data during the 55-day COOKIES voyage in early 2026. The archive includes measurements from CTD casts, multibeam echosounders, greenhouse gas analyzers, sediment corers, and wildlife observations. CSIRO's National Collections and Marine Infrastructure Information and Data Centre curates this raw data archive.

Use Cases

• Model ocean current profiles and water mass properties using data from the Lowered ADCP (LADCP), Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), and CTD instruments.
• Analyze atmospheric composition and aerosol-cloud interactions with Greenhouse Gas Analysers (Picarro), Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) counter, and Nephelometer measurements.
• Map seafloor bathymetry and sub-bottom structure using Multibeam Echosounder (EM712, EM124, EM2040) and Sub-bottom Profiler (SBP29) data.
• Study sediment composition and paleoenvironments from cores collected by the Multi-corer, Kasten corer, and Giant Piston Corer (GPC).
• Assess marine biodiversity and species distribution through Environmental DNA (eDNA) samples, Fisheries Echosounder (EK80) data, and Wildlife Observations records.

Strengths

• Data collection spanned 55 days from January 2 to February 25, 2026, providing a continuous time series.
• Archive integrates measurements from over 40 distinct instrument types, capturing multidisciplinary ocean-atmosphere interactions.
• Raw data is permanently archived and curated by CSIRO's National Collections and Marine Infrastructure Information and Data Centre.

Limitations

• Sample data and specific row/column counts are unavailable, making initial assessment of data volume and structure difficult.
• The raw data archive's primary access is for voyage participants, with processed data available publicly, which may delay availability.
• Geographic coverage is limited to the specific track of the RV Investigator voyage IN2026_V01 in the Antarctic region.

Provenance

Source

CSIRO Marine National Facility (MNF) RV Investigator voyage IN2026_V01, curated by CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI) Information and Data Centre (IDC).

Collection Method

Instrument-based data collection during a dedicated research voyage, including regular atmospheric/oceanic sensors and voyage-specific sampling like coring and eDNA.

Time Range

January 02, 2026 to February 25, 2026 (AEST).

Freshness

Data is from a voyage concluding in February 2026, with the record updated in April 2026, indicating recent collection.

Geography

Southern Ocean/Antarctic region, voyage departed from and returned to Hobart, Tasmania.