Ocean and Polar Research

Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (한국해양과학기술원)
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The Distribution of Epifaunal Megabenthos Varies with Deep-sea Sediment Conditions in the Korea Deep Ocean Study Area (KODOS) of the North-eastern Pacific

북동태평양 KODOS 해역 심해 해저특성에 따른 초대형저서동물 분포

  • Yu, Ok Hwan (Biological Oceanography & Marine Biology Division, KIOST) ;
  • Son, Ju Won (Deep-Sea and Seabed Mineral Resources Research Center, KIOST) ;
  • Ham, Dong Jin (Deep-Sea and Seabed Mineral Resources Research Center, KIOST) ;
  • Lee, Gun Chang (Deep-Sea and Seabed Mineral Resources Research Center, KIOST) ;
  • Kim, Kyeong Hong (Deep-Sea and Seabed Mineral Resources Research Center, KIOST)
  • 유옥환 (한국해양과학기술원 생물연구본부) ;
  • 손주원 (한국해양과학기술원 심해저광물자원연구센터) ;
  • 함동진 (한국해양과학기술원 심해저광물자원연구센터) ;
  • 이근창 (한국해양과학기술원 심해저광물자원연구센터) ;
  • 김경홍 (한국해양과학기술원 심해저광물자원연구센터)
  • Received : 2014.10.16
  • Accepted : 2014.11.22
  • Published : 2014.12.30
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Abstract

In August, 2013, we collected epifaunal megabenthos using a deep sea camera (DSC) around a benthic impact study (BIS) site. This was located in the KR5 block of the Korea Deep Ocean Study (KODOS) area in the Northeastern Pacific. The DSC was positioned at $6.8{\pm}2.9m$ (SD) from the sea bottom and was operated from a position at $131^{\circ}56.85^{\prime}-131^{\circ}55.02^{\prime}W$ for 2.3 h at a speed of 1-2 knot. The geographical features of the study area consisted of two structures; a trough in the middle and hills at the east and west sides. Sediment conditions were consistent within six blocks and were affected by slope and polymetallic nodule deposits. We analyzed 226 megafaunal species. Sipunculida comprised the highest percentage of individuals (39%), and the dominant epifaunal megabenthos were Hormathiidae sp., Primnoidae sp., Hexactinellida sp., Hyphalaster inermis, Freyella benthophila, Paelopatides confundens, Psychropotes longicauda, and Peniagone leander. More than 80% of the total density of megafauna occurred on sea plain (D- and E-blocks). We found two distinct groups in the community, one located on sea plains and the other along both sides of the sea slop. Our results suggest that geographical features such as slope and polymetalic nodule deposits are important in controlling the distribution of the epifaunal megabenthos around the KODOS area.

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References

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