Preface The expedition ARK XIX/3 with the German icebreaking RV ...

glacial periods. There is also evidence for the presence of rock debris on the seafloor
(Kidd & Huggett, 1981). These authors also reported a large amount of dropstones
(clinker and coal residues) dumped from the steamships. Surprisingly, these residues are,
in some locations, even more abundant than ice-rafted debris.
The sedimentary processes and the evolution of the sedimentation in the Belgica mound
area was described recently by Van Rooij et al. (2003), followed by a more detailed study
of the present-day sedimentary pattern and seabed features recognised on TOBI side
scan sonar imagery (Huvenne, 2003; Wheeler et al., subm.). Present day environment of
the "Belgica mounds" area was also detailed by mapping using high-resolution
100/410kHz side-scan sonar techniques during RV Discovery 248 cruise in July-August
2000 (Wheeler et al., 2001; Kozachenko et al., 2003).
Video imagery collected during ROV Victor dive 214 was the subject of facies analysis.
This was performed in order to emphasise changes in the distribution and type of coral
populations (e.g. live/dead; dense/patchy) on mounds and mound’s flanks, and
characterise types of seabed in the off mound areas (e.g. rippled/unrippled sands;
dropstones). On the basis of video observations a number of facies characteristic for the
study area were derived (Table A4.3.2-1). Each of the facies was given a code that was
typed in the added column in the navigation file of the dive. Consequently this data was
integrated within GIS using Arc View 3.2a and each facies was colour-coded, therefore
giving a visual insight into seabed facies distribution in the surveyed area.
Table A4.3.2-1: Seabed facies classification used for the ROV Victor dive 214 video interpretation.
Facies No Facies name
1 Dense coral coverage (live & dead)
2 Dense coral coverage (mostly dead)
3 Sediment clogged dead corals and/or rubble
4 Patchy mostly live corals on rippled seabed
5 Patchy mostly dead corals on rippled seabed
6 Patchy mostly dead corals on unrippled seabed
7 Dropstone (gravel and/or boulders) dominated seabed
8 Dropstones (gravel and/or boulders) - patchy distribution on unrippled seabed
9 Dropstones (gravel and/or boulders) - patchy distribution on rippled seabed
10 Rippled seabed with occasional dropstones
11 Unrippled seabed with occasional dropstones
12 Rock outcrops(?)
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