This dataset contains stable isotope and tracking data from adult female Antarctic fur seal collected at three breeding colonies across the Southern Ocean: • Marion Island (2008–2018) • Bird Island, South Georgia (2008–2012) • Cape Shirreff, South Shetland Islands (2008–2012) The dataset includes: • Stable isotope data from whole blood and whiskers • Compound-specific amino acid isotope data (δ¹⁵NAA) from whole blood • GLS-derived tracking and environmental data Samples were collected from adult female seals captured between February and April prior to winter migration. Whole blood samples provide dietary information integrated over approximately 2–3 months, while sequential whisker sections provide longer-term isotopic records spanning multiple years. Bulk stable isotope values (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) provide information on trophic ecology and foraging habitat across multiple temporal scales, from recent feeding behaviour to multi-year dietary histories recorded in whiskers. The dataset also includes light-based geolocation (GLS) tracking data from adult females equipped with geolocator loggers during the inter-breeding migration period. Tracking variables include timestamps (GMT), estimated geographic positions (latitude and longitude), uncertainty metrics, and associated environmental variables such as sea surface temperature (SST) and absolute dynamic topography (ADT), where available.

The Denman Marine Voyage (DMV) brought together researchers from the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP – AAS4631, Chief Investigator Dr Laura Herraiz-Borreguero), the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS – AAS4630, Chief Investigator Prof. Matthew King), Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF – AAS4628, Chief Investigator Prof. Steven Chown), and the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD – AAS4636 and 4556 Chief Investigators Dr So Kawaguchi and Dr Leonie Suter), on a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary research voyage aboard RSV Nuyina to the Denman Glacier region and Shackleton Ice Shelf. The voyage was the first dedicated marine science voyage for RSV Nuyina and represented a significant milestone for the Australian Antarctic Program. This voyage report provides information for the voyage including: - Voyage summary and itinerary - Weather conditions during DMV - Participant list (science team, technicians, media team, medical team, ship crew) - High level science objectives for each of the parties onboard (AAD, AAPP, ACEAS, SAEF) - Individual reports for each scientific working group onboard (background, objectives, methods, report on activities, preliminary results (where relevant)), data management plans, acknowledgements, references) - Media program - ACEAS Outreach - Appendix, with Supplementary Material to be separate to the main report.

Zooplankton are important component of the Southern Ocean ecosystem yet so little is known about the distribution of most species and how this has changes through time. The project used existing data collect from the Southern Ocean Continuous Plankton Recorder Program (https://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/cpr/index.cfm). CPR data from 2000 to 2016 was extracted from the database and paired with environmental data (SST, SST anomaly, IOD, SAM, mixed layer depth). Hierarchical Models of Species Communities (HMSC) was used to model the zooplankton community to make inferences and predictions on the distribution of species and how they have changed through time.

This data was collected and analysed for the project "Dissolved inorganic nitrogen uptake by seaweeds: a global analysis" published in Botanica Marina. Data was compiled between May 2025 and July 2025 from published studies on the uptake kinetics of nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) by marine macroalgae i.e. the rate of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) uptake rate at a range of DIN concentrations. Each study contained values for the Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants maximum uptake rate (Vmax) and the half saturation constant (Ks), linear uptake gradients, or described biphasic uptake patterns. A total of 84 published studies presenting this data were discovered, with 556 distinct data entries. The project examined DIN uptake rates in marine macroalgae by Phylum, order, experimental irradiance and temperature, geographic location and functional group. Articles were identified through searches on Google Scholar and Web of Science, with all studies reporting Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants or linear uptake slopes included. For each study, we recorded taxonomic information, functional group, the experimental subject (species and algal tissue used), habitat of origin (subtidal, intertidal, or cultured), and season of collection. We also documented experimental conditions, including temperature, irradiance, DIN source (nitrate or ammonium), presence and concentration of other macronutrients (e.g., phosphate or non-target DIN), and the phosphate:DIN ratio of the culture medium. Where available, we extracted kinetic parameters (Vmax, Ks/Km), linear uptake slopes, uptake pattern (saturating, linear, or biphasic), maximum DIN concentration tested, the range of concentrations used in multi-flask experiments, and the time interval over which uptake was measured (for time-course experiments). Geographic coordinates of the study location were also recorded. Each study entry in this dataset includes the full study reference (author and year) and a functional DOI where available (as of November 2025).

This dataset is derived from a comparative study evaluating six DNA extraction methods for their efficiency in recovering diatom sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) from Antarctic marine sediments. Sediment samples were collected from two sites: U1536C (Scotia Sea, West Antarctica) and KC02 (Sabrina Coast, Totten Glacier Region, East Antarctica). Each of the six extraction methods was applied to the same set of samples. Following shotgun metagenomic sequencing, the methods were assessed based on metrics such as diatom DNA recovery, average fragment length, and taxonomic diversity. The purpose of the study was to identify the optimal extraction approach for maximizing the yield and quality of diatom sedaDNA, thereby improving its utility for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.

The demersal fish assemblages on the Kerguelen Plateau has changed through time. This study aimed to detect, quantify, and map these changes. This study uses existing data collected from the Random Stratified Trawl Survey (RSTS) program administered through the Australian Antarctic Divisions (AAD). Raw RSTS data between 2000 and 2016 was extracted from the AAD database. The RSTS data contains information on the abundance (catch per unit effort, CPUE) on fish. RSTS data were paired with environmental data to be modelled. Hierarchical models of species communities (HMSC) were used to make inferences and predictions in the changes of demersal fish distribution. This record contains all the environmental data, R code, and outputs from this project. Raw RSTS data needs to be requested from the AAD under the authorization of AFMA.

Dataset collected at Cape Evans, Antarctica, November 2023 as part of a long-term NIWA benthic monitoring program under the Antarctica New Zealand event number K882A. The dataset includes multiple sea-ice and seafloor hyperspectral imaging transects (10-40 meters long) coupled with normal red, green, and blue (RGB) imagery from a dual camera machine vision system. The data were acquired using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) HIcyBot system, funded by the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Research (ACEAS). A GNSS-integrated USBL transponder equipped onto the ROV allowed every frame of the high frequency hyperspectral imager to be timestamped via GPS clock to acoustically provided underwater position and attitude. The dataset also includes hyperspectral imaging scans of sampled/retrieved organisms found at the seafloor, to support habitat mapping algorithm development (e.g., algae, urchins, sea-stars, etc.). The ROV was tested as part of an ACEAS Program 2 subcomponent that involved the design of the new under-ice hyperspectral imaging and photogrammetric payload mounted onto the HIcyBot ROV. The overarching goal of the systems was to be able to acquire information of under the sea-ice sympagic and benthic communities (e.g., biomass and photophysiology) and deliver a multi-scale array of biophysical data that can be assimilated with known information in the region and monitor fine-scale change. Through the analysis of new and existing bio-optical under-ice data, the dataset aims to ultimately envisions the delivery of new monitoring tools and algorithms that can provide support for modelling efforts and reveal complex biophysical processes under a changing Antarctic Sea ice. ***NOTE: Data processing is still underway (April 2025). Please contact Emiliano.Cimoli@utas.edu.au for access to data.***

Sustainable finfish aquaculture is dependent on a benthic environment that can assimilate and process farm particulate wastes. In Macquarie Harbour, bottom and mid water Dissolved Oxygen levels have reached very low levels, which is associated with an increase in the presence of bacterial mats and a significant decline in the abundance and diversity of benthic fauna. Dissolved Oxygen levels are a major determinant of the response of benthic communities in the harbour over timescales of months to years. This dataset consist of dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature data collected using HOBO Dissolved Oxygen loggers (U26-001) deployed at two locations in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania under FRDC project 2016-067.

Dataset collected during two field campaigns in the same Antarctic fast ice site (Cape Evans, November/December 2018-19) as part of the AGP and NZARI collaboration over the grant "On Thin Ice: An in situ surveillance system for sea-ice microbial communities". The fieldwork was designed to test the scientific potentials of the IMAS/AGP developed under-ice HI system for mapping temporally dynamic and spatially varying under-ice habitats. The dataset consists of 3 terabytes of HI data acquired both in-situ under a wide range of natural and manipulated light conditions, as well as ex-situ with data acquired using a newly developed ice core scanning approach. The in-situ data are in the form of scanned transects acquired with a HI system capturing transmitted natural sunlight while being deployed beneath sea-ice. The ex-situ data was collected using external light sources illuminating horizontal and vertical sections of extracted ice cores. The dataset includes auxiliary data such as RGB imagery, TriOS RAMSES under-ice irradiance, sky irradiance, and any other measurements or information required to process the data. Other auxiliary data collected include filtered samples of ice core sections for fluorometric Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) extraction, pigment composition via HPLC (to be processed), and particulate absorption spectra. Media footage (e.g., under-ice ROV videography, under-ice 360 videos, campaign photography of the systems and science) is also included. The dataset includes pre-processed high-resolution under-ice imagery collected from the fast-ice zone using a Sony a6300 camera mounted on a custom under-ice sled system. The imagery was acquired to document the sea-ice underside and analyse spatial patterns associated with amphipod communities from a near-horizontal, grazer-level perspective (publications pending).