Davis Aerodrome Project (DAP) – Marine Current Profiling Data

The Davis Aerodrome Project (DAP) collected a range of environmental survey data over several field seasons to support a comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed aerodrome. This data includes flora, fauna, soils, lake ecosystem, nearshore, marine, air quality and meteorological information which has been collected by a number of different methods, and extends across the current Davis Station, proposed aerodrome and supporting infrastructure footprint (Ridge Site), previous sites considered for the aerodrome (Heidemann Valley, Adams Flat), as well as locations across the Vestfold Hills away from any of the proposed developments.(this text is standard for all DAP datasets being added to the AADC). This dataset contains short-term nearshore marine current profile data collected to inform environmental assessment processes related to the Australian Antarctic Division’s DAP and Davis Masterplan projects. Eight current meter deployments were undertaken across six sites in the nearshore marine environment in the vicinity of Davis Research station. Deployment periods ranged from three days (3 x 24hr tide cycle) to two weeks. Sites were selected based on the location of previous sampling activity (CM1-5) and sites of interest to Davis Aerodrome and Davis Masterplan projects with regard to proposed future developments in the area. A second deployment was undertaken at two key sites to increase the sampling interval at each. Data was collected using a Nortec Aquadopp Profiler 1 MHz. The same instrument was used to collect current profiles at all sites. The instrument was deployed through a 40cm hole drilled through the seaice. It was suspended horizontally in the water column (mid-way between the seafloor and the under surface of the ice) by a bridal attachment and rope secured at the surface (see figure below). A 15cm fin was attached to the base of the instrument for all deployments. In shallow locations the instrument was positioned so that it could not hit the seafloor throughout the lowest tidal cycle during the deployment.The profile interval was set to record every 900 seconds (15min) for a period of 120 seconds (2min). All instrument settings and recording details are contained in the hdr files saved in each data folder. Start and end dates and times are set out in the “current meter deployment details” spreadsheet.Temporal coverageSite No.    Deployment Date    Retrieval DateCM1    22/10/2021    2/22/2021CM2    16/09/2021    19/09/2021CM2    9/10/2021    22/10/2021CM3    3/11/2021    12/11/2021CM5    24/11/2021    4/11/2021ML    8/12/2021    14/12/2021OptionA    29/09/2021    2/10/2021OptionA    14/12/2021    20/12/2021Spatial coverageCM2_01_20210919    68.57399536    77.96031373OptionA_01_20211002    68.57597253    77.96121253CM2_02_20211022    68.57399536    77.96031373CM1_01_20211102    68.57749077    77.95758156CM3_01_20211112    68.57276237    77.94873464CM5_01_20211204    68.58321738    77.9180513ML_01_20211214    -68.58381482    77.94507546OptionA_02_20211220    68.57585945    77.96151685