Southern Ocean sediment trap photos from moorings at 47S, 54S, and 61S around 140 degrees East. The images show the greater than 1mm fraction of collected particles, primarily 'swimmers,' with a 1mm grid for scale. This work was completed as part of ASAC project 1156 and last updated in March 2010.
Use Cases
- Identify and classify 'swimmer' organisms based on visual features in the photos.
- Analyze faecal pellet distribution and morphology based on images tagged 'FP' or 'begin/end'.
- Correlate particle composition with collection parameters like season, latitude, and depth encoded in file names.
- Validate sieving processes by comparing images labeled 'begin' and 'end' of the sieving operation.
- Study temporal particle flux series from traps collecting samples over a season.
Strengths
- Photos include a 1mm grid for scale, providing a consistent reference for particle size.
- File names encode sample identification including collection season (e.g., s02 for 2002-2003), nominal latitude, depth, and cup number.
- Samples are from specific deep moorings in the Southern Ocean, providing geographic context.
Limitations
- Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
- Last updated 2010-03-31 23:59:59.999000; freshness should be verified.
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
Provenance
- Source
- AU_AADC via nasa_earthdata
- Collection Method
- Sediment traps collected falling marine particles in the Southern Ocean; samples were sieved and photographed.
- Time Range
- Collection seasons referenced (e.g., 2002-2003).
- Geography
- Southern Ocean moorings at nominal latitudes 47S, 54S, 61S around 140 degrees East.