ca6783693d25056420905300f340b78a English dataset Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk pointOfContact 2021-11-11 MEDIN Discovery metadata standard 2.3.8 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326 Abundance and Biomass of infaunal species from grab samples from a benthic assessment for Fair Head tidal energy development site (Fair Head, Co. Antrim), 2014 2018-11-28 publication 2014-05-12 creation 2021-11-10 revision DASSHDT00000404 This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance and biomass from sediment grab samples and video tows carried out off the coast of Fair Head (Co. Antrim) on the FPV Banrion Uladh (now Queen of Ulster). This survey was carried out to provide a benthic baseline for a potential offshore windfarm development site in May 2014. The main aim of this survey was to undertake a baseline assessment of the species and biotopes found in the area of interest. The survey comprised of 26 video stations and 10 grab stations (3 repeats per station) with 24 samples retained for infaunal analysis- the abundance and biomass was recorded. Particle size analysis (PSA) was also carried out but due to low success rate of grab samples, only 4 samples were appropriate for this analysis. Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk originator Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk custodian notPlanned Delimited Marine Environmental Data and Information Network Habitats and biotopes Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-01-06 revision Zoobenthos generic abundance Habitat characterisation SeaDataNet P021 parameter discovery vocabulary 2009-11-16 revision Biodiversity GEMET 2011-07-06 creation Marine Gardline 2012-03-16 creation Open access; CC-BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) otherRestrictions Open access 50 English biota biota SeaDataNet vertical extent keywords 2010-01-01 revision circalittoral SeaDataNet vertical extent keywords 2010-01-01 revision soil and sediment SeaDataNet vertical extent keywords 2010-01-01 revision soil and sediment boundary layer SeaDataNet vertical extent keywords 2010-01-01 revision water column SeaDataNet vertical extent keywords 2010-01-01 revision water column boundary layer -6.2581 -5.7492 55.0582 55.2993 2014-05-12 2014-05-12 Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Project manager dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk distributor https://doi.org/10.17031/vlnar9 DOI Link A link to the web service or dataset http://https://www.dassh.ac.uk/ DASSH website A link to the general host site dataset MEDIN data guideline for sediment sampling by grab or core for benthos 2011-02-02 publication See the referenced specification true This dataset contains information on infaunal abundance, biomass and associated habitat biotope from sediment grabs and video tows carried out off the North Antirm coast. This survey was carried out as a baseline survey of the benthos in an area that had been proposed as an offshore windfarm. The survey area contained the proposed tidal site and potential routes for cables, 1 leading from the tidal site to Ballycastle (historic route) or leading to Drumnakill Point (northern edge of Murlough Bay) The analysis of this dataset also addressed the conservation important of the benthic communities identified along with their potential sensitivity to certain physical factors by referring to the Northern Ireland Priority Species List as well as information from the Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland (MarLIN). The methodologies for both the video tows and grab samples are detailed below. Video survey and Analysis • The video system used in this survey was an Osprey camera attached to an epibenthic sledge which was also fitted with a Go-Pro camera. This provided a field of view of 1m2 (oblique) for video analysis. • The epibenthic sledge was chosen over the drop frame camera as it is a more stable platform for camera footage, especially in stronger currents (current speeds can reach up to 3ms-1 at the survey site). The sledge was towed between the sites as they were relatively close together and to optimise efficiency. • A GPS overlay was recorded on the osprey to allow the position on the seabed to be estimates. Notes were taken of the ships position as well. • Due to site hydrodynamics, the video footage had poor visibility and was much faster than ideal. Epifauna of 3cm and larger were identified. Biotopes were classified according to the UK MNCR classification. Benthic grabs and analysis • To obtain sediment samples for infaunal analysis both a pipe dredge and a day grab were used in attempt to obtain more sediment. • A 0.1m2 day grab was used to take a sample of the sediment and associated infaunal communities. • When the sample reaches the deck, a 250ml sample is taken for PSA and a further 25ml is taken for C and N analysis. The rest of the sample is carefully sieved to reveal any infauna. • Fixed Formalin (4 percent buffered formaldehyde) is added to the remains of the sample and these are placed in labelled buckets. • The samples are sent to accredited taxonomic laboratories were they are identified to as high a level as possible and weighed. • Due to the presence of large cobbles in many regions the jaws became blocked of the day grab which meant that a large amount of sediment was lost by the time the grab reached the ship. • Only 4 sediment PSA were retained for analysis and 24 samples were retained for infaunal analysis (abundance and biomass data).