Enhancing Southern Ocean Bathymetry with ISOBatA Data for IBCSO

The PNRA-funded ISOBatA project aimed to systematically improve bathymetric knowledge of the Southern Ocean (SO) by collecting multibeam bathymetry data strategically during R/V Laura Bassi voyages. The project prioritized key areas and dedicated 5 days/year for 2 years to mapping previously uncharted territories.
ISOBatA addressed the challenges of acquiring data in ice-covered waters. The quality-controlled dataset, processed with QPS Qimera software and corrected for sound velocity using XBT and CTD data from the MORSEA project, covers the Ross Sea and geodynamically important areas like the Macquarie Triple Junction. ISOBatA project partners are: OGS (PI D. Accettella, P. Diviacco), UniMIB (A. Savini), IGAG-CNR (M. Cuffaro), INGV (F. Muccino)
An initial release of despiked data from ISOBatA surveys conducted during the XXXVII and
XXXVIII PNRA Antarctic expeditions (2021-2023) was delivered to the AWI (Seabed 2030
Regional Center responsible for IBCSO - International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern
Ocean). The final dataset comprises processed grids derived from multibeam echosounder
(MBES) data collected on the Laura Bassi using the hull-mounted Kongsberg EM304 system and processed with QPS Qimera software. Sound velocity corrections were ensured using XBT and CTD data from the MORSEA project.

The following grids were delivered to IBCSO during The Fifth Arctic-Antarctic and North Pacific Mapping Meeting 2023:
ISOBATA-OGS_RossSea_ProjEPSG9354_50m: A high-resolution 50-meter grid of MBES
ISOBatA data from the Ross Sea.
ISOBATA-OGS_SouthernOcean_Proj9354_200m: A 200-meter grid from the same
expeditions, providing broader spatial coverage.
ISOBATA-OGS_SouthernOcean_Proj9354_200m_NoisyStrongInterpolation: This grid
utilizes strong interpolation techniques on noisy data to enhance the utility of sparsely
sampled regions.

These high-quality, accessible data are homogenized, archived, and made traceable within
IBCSO to ensure their broad dissemination and continued usability.