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standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

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4.1.1. Data acquisition<br />

?? Using FFG (free-fall grab) <strong>and</strong> CPG (cable-photo grab) samplers,<br />

abundance <strong>data</strong> were acquired at sampling sites.<br />

?? Manganese nodules were collected from one site <strong>and</strong> five seabottom<br />

photographs, including one photograph from the sampling<br />

site, were obtained at each station using CPG samplers.<br />

?? At each station, four FFG samplers <strong>and</strong> one or two camera-equipped<br />

samplers were deployed. Using the sea-bottom images, nodule<br />

abundance was calculated from the correlation between nodule<br />

weight <strong>and</strong> coverage.<br />

4.1.2. Data correction<br />

Calculated nodule abundance is generally less than the actual<br />

figure for the following reasons:<br />

?? Only part <strong>of</strong> the total surface was sampled.<br />

?? It was impossible to scoop up the largest nodules.<br />

?? The smallest nodules were lost.<br />

?? FFG samplers l<strong>and</strong>ed obliquely or not at all, due to water<br />

currents.<br />

?? FFG samplers operated abnormally because <strong>of</strong> the physical<br />

properties <strong>of</strong> the seafloor sediment.<br />

Therefore, a correction factor must be applied to eliminate these<br />

abundance-reducing factors.<br />

4.1.3. Calculation method<br />

?? Distribution <strong>of</strong> nodule coverage, shape <strong>and</strong> size were analysed. The<br />

correlation between nodule weight <strong>and</strong> coverage was used to<br />

calculate nodule abundance directly from the sea-bottom images.<br />

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 245

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