This project will map and characterize seafloor debris and associated benthic habitats and to contour the seafloor in the vicinity of McMurdo. Large numbers of barrels with unknown contents and other debris have been dumped or accumulated in the near-shore marine environment in McMurdo. This project will be the first critical step in determining the extent and risk to the environment of the potentially toxic debris. The principal investigators will use high resolution sidescan sonar, bathymetric profiling, scuba surveys, and photographic records to document the distribution and nature of debris while also mapping local physical habitats. The proposed work will also produce the first detailed bathymetric contour chart of the McMurdo area. Depth contour data are key elements in the development of accurate nearshore currents models needed to predict the movement of effluents from the new McMurdo sewer outfall. These data sets will be incorporated as the foundation elements in a comprehensive benthic Geographic information System to be maintained on existing National Science Foundation and Antarctic Support Associates computer facilities. Elements to be include will be the base map overlays for sidescan sonar images, depth, navigation tracks, debris, habitat type, community type sediment chemistry and pollutant loads, species lists and photographs.
