The cryopelagic meroplankton community of Gerlache Inlet (2007-2008 season)

Cryopelagic (directly under the ice) plankton samples were collected in Gerlache Inlet about 1 km to the south of Gondwana Station. Samples were collected at 1m and 5m depth below the sea ice with two 0.5m diameter circular fixed-frame plankton nets (125 μm, 100 μm mesh) placed in an expanded seal hole about 1m below the ice. The net was installed on the 23/11/078 and cleared at approximately 24 hour intervals for 13 consecutive days. All samples were sorted fresh, larvae quantified and specimens photographed and preserved for DNA sequence analysis and morphological description. The aim was to provide information on the cryopelagic meroplankton and to determine if the shallow water meroplankton community was similar to that seen in the deeper water meroplankton.