Maud Rise - a snapshot through the water column

Brandt, A.; Bathmann, U.; Brix, S.; Cisewski, B.; Flores, H.; Göcke, C.; Janussen, D.; Krägefsky, S.; Kruse, S.; Leach, H.; Linse, Katrin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3477-3047; Pakhomov, E.; Peeken, I.; Riehl, T.; Sauter, E.; Sachs, O.; Schüller, M.; Schrödl, M.; Schwabe, E.; Strass, V.; van Franeker, J.A.; Wilmsen, E.. 2011 Maud Rise - a snapshot through the water column. Deep Sea Research II, 58 (19-20). 1962-1982. 10.1016/j.dsr.2011.01.008

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Abstract/Summary

The benthic fauna was investigated during the expedition ANT-XXIV/2 (2007/08) in relation to oceanographic features, biogeochemical properties and sediment characteristics, as well as the benthic, pelagic and air-breathing fauna. The results document that Maud Rise (MR) differs distinctly from surrounding deep-sea basins investigated during previous Southern Ocean expeditions (ANDEEP 2002, 2005). Considering all taxa, the overall similarity between MR and adjacent stations was low (∼20% Bray-Curtis-Similarity), and analyses of single taxa show obvious differences in species composition, abundances and densities. The composition and diversity of bivalves of MR are characterised by extremely high abundances of three species, especially the small sized Vesicomya spp. Exceptionally high gastropod abundance at MR is due to the single species Onoba subantarctica wilkesiana, a small brooder that may prey upon abundant benthic foraminiferas. The abundance and diversity of isopods also show that one family, Haplomunnidae, occurs with a surprisingly high number of individuals at MR while this family was not found at any of the 40 bathyal and abyssal ANDEEP stations. Similarly, polychaetes, especially the tube-dwelling, suspension-feeder fraction, are represented by species not found at the comparison stations. Sponges comprise almost exclusively small specimens in relatively high numbers, especially a few species of Polymastiidae. Water-column sampling from the surface to the seafloor, including observations of top predators, indicate the existence of a prospering pelagic food web. Local concentrations of top predators and zooplankton are associated with a rich ice-edge bloom located over the northern slope of MR. There the sea ice melts, which is probably accelerated by the advection of warm water at intermediate depth. Over the southern slope, high concentrations of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) occur under dense sea ice and attract Antarctic Minke Whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) and several seabird species. These findings suggest that biological prosperity over MR is related to both oceanographic and sea-ice processes. Downward transport of the organic matter produced in the pelagic realm may be more constant than elsewhere due to low lateral drift over MR.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.dsr.2011.01.008
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution
ISSN:	0967-0645
Additional Keywords:	Cooling processes, Ice biota, Pelagic realm, Benthos, Seamount, ANDEEP-SYSTCO, Southern Ocean, Maud Rise
NORA Subject Terms:	Marine Sciences Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	11 Oct 2011 15:22 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/15274

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.dsr.2011.01.008

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution

ISSN:

0967-0645

Additional Keywords:

Cooling processes, Ice biota, Pelagic realm, Benthos, Seamount, ANDEEP-SYSTCO, Southern Ocean, Maud Rise

NORA Subject Terms:

Marine Sciences
Biology and Microbiology