Benthic invertebrate community composition, sediment characteristics, and seafloor habitat structure of New Harbour

Specimens of key molluscan invertebrates from New Harbour were collected and safely returned to New Zealand for use in laboratory experiments investigating the impacts of ocean acidification on these key species. The species include Adamussium colbecki, Ophionotus victoriae, Sterechinus neumayeri, Abatus sp., pycnogonid (species unknown), Ophiosparte gigas, Neobuccinum eatoni, Trematomus bernacchii, Laternula elliptica and Phyllophora antarctica.

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the uptake and incorporation of a pulsed input of an important primary food source by ophiuroids and other benthic invertebrates by sampling key species and associated sediments and included measurements of oxygen and nutrient fluxes.