UNIS AB202 2026 Benthos data

This study displays the occurrence and abundance of benthic macroinfauna communities within Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, comparing a deep-water monitoring station with a near-shore coastal site. The fieldwork was conducted in April 2026 at two primary locations: ST1, a near-shore shallow location created and utilized by the course AB-202 at UNIS near the Ny-Ålesund pier, and KB3, a long-term marine monitoring station located in the fjord's outer basin. Benthic samples were collected using a 0.1 m2 Van der Veen grab. At ST1, two successful samples were retrieved from depths of 50.9 m and 59.3 m. At KB3, a single successful sample was obtained from a depth of 345 m.The bulk sediment was collected into containers and sieved using 1 mm mesh-size to isolate macroinfauna from debris. Subsequent laboratory analysis involved the identification and enumeration of species using microscopy to determine community composition and abundance.