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standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

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sediment/water interface <strong>of</strong> each box-core sample be photographed<br />

immediately after recovery to aid in evaluating sample quality. In addition,<br />

some <strong>st<strong>and</strong>ardization</strong> <strong>of</strong> sample processing (e.g., sieving before or after<br />

fixation, sorting methods) should be specified, for example by citing the<br />

methods <strong>of</strong> a particular scientific study. Finally, taxonomy (species<br />

identification) needs to be st<strong>and</strong>ardized within <strong>and</strong> across claim areas.<br />

(See the discussion <strong>of</strong> taxonomic <strong>st<strong>and</strong>ardization</strong> in section 3.2 below.)<br />

2.4.1.3. Mei<strong>of</strong>auna<br />

Data on the abundance, biomass, species structure <strong>and</strong> depth<br />

distribution (suggested depths <strong>of</strong> 0-0.5, 0.5-1.0, 1-2 <strong>and</strong> 2-3 cm) <strong>of</strong><br />

mei<strong>of</strong>auna (animals 32 µm) are to be obtained from ten<br />

multiple cores per study area, each tube from a separate, r<strong>and</strong>omly<br />

distributed multiple-core lowering. It is recommended that mei<strong>of</strong>auna be<br />

processed on nested sieves <strong>of</strong> 1000, 500, 250 <strong>and</strong> 32 µm. Multiple-core<br />

tube size (10-cm diameter?) <strong>and</strong> lowering protocols should be st<strong>and</strong>ardized<br />

or a relevant paper cited. In addition, taxonomy needs to be st<strong>and</strong>ardized<br />

within <strong>and</strong> across claim areas. (See the discussion <strong>of</strong> taxonomic<br />

<strong>st<strong>and</strong>ardization</strong> in section 3.2 below.)<br />

2.4.1.4. Microbial biomass<br />

It is recommended that pr<strong>of</strong>iles <strong>of</strong> microbial biomass be determined<br />

using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or other st<strong>and</strong>ard microbial assay for<br />

ten multiple-core tubes per study area, with each tube taken from separate,<br />

r<strong>and</strong>omly located multiple-core deployment. Suggested depth intervals for<br />

pr<strong>of</strong>iles are 0-0.5, 0.5-1.0, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 <strong>and</strong> 4-5 cm. The protocols for ATP<br />

analysis need to be specified, e.g. by reference to a suitable methods<br />

paper 1512 .<br />

2.4.1.5. Nodule fauna<br />

It is recommended that the faunal abundance <strong>and</strong> species structure<br />

associated with ten r<strong>and</strong>omly selected nodules from ten box cores per study<br />

area (the same cores used for macr<strong>of</strong>auna) be sampled <strong>and</strong> analysed. I<br />

recommend using the methods <strong>of</strong> Mullineaux (1987) 16 13 .<br />

61 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY

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