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In making the most of our time in the Mawson region, today Nuyina has moved about 50nm offshore to deploy important science moorings. If the weather cooperates, the plan will be for a MEEK and two KOMBI moorings to be deployed. Interesting names, that of course mean something of a technical nature.
Moorings for the Epipelagic Echo-sounding of Krill (MEEK), are designed to monitor krill bio-mass at locations in East Antarctica on a continuous basis through echosounders and also have passive acoustic recorders to record the presence of vocalising krill predators such as whales and seals.
Krill Observational Mooring for Benthic Investigations (KOMBI) are platforms left on the seafloor for one year on the continental shelf and near the shelf break. The minimum depth of a mooring is 350m to avoid collision with icebergs and the maximum depth is 1500m.
KOMBIs have various sensors installed including echo-sounders, measurement tools for water column characteristic and acoustics. Data is collected at varying intervals depending on the instrument.
Again, weather will determine if today's deployments can go ahead, but everything is ready for an afternoon of science.
Regards, Chris & Andrew
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.