The research vessel “G.O. Sars” left Tromsø on July 31, setting course towards the southern part of the previously disputed area in the Barents Sea. On board is a team of MAREANO researchers that will conduct biological, geological and chemical sampling of the area.
MAREANO has been collecting depth/terrain data from this area for the last two years. During this season’s mission approximately 60 video stations and 12 stations comprising geological, biological and chemical sampling are to be established.
The areas mapped through the MAREANO cooperation are first mapped by using multibeam echo-sounding instruments with backscatter signals, resulting in detailed seabed terrain maps. Secondly, and based on these depth data, sampling sites for physical and video data collection are selected. The results of this sampling activity contribute to the production of maps showing vulnerable habitats and sediment composition, MAREANO’s web site reads.
The collected data on depth, terrain, biology and geology, will provide invaluable information for the modeling of habitats and biotopes in the surveyed areas, as well as for other data products. The results are presented as maps at www.mareano.no as soon as the data analyses are finished.
MAREANO maps depth and topography, sediment composition, biodiversity, habitats and biotopes as well as pollution in the seabed in Norwegian coastal and offshore areas.
The programme is financed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
