Community composition survey at Terra Nova Bay with similar samples collected at Cape Evans and Cape Armitage

From each core the top, middle and bottom sections were sectioned and processed as described earlier. In addition, brine samples were collected at a site ~100m from the Campbell Glacier.

After removing the top snow cover (~30 cm), the sea ice thickness in the area was determined to be about 1.9 m. Three holes of depths 45cm, 65cm and 85cm were drilled (corresponding to ?, 1/3 and ? of the season?s sea ice thickness) and brine was allowed to drain into the covered holes for approximately 30 minutes. A sterile Falcon tube was then used to collect the liquid from the hole and brought back to the field lab for salinity measurements and processing to generate both a glycerol sample and a frozen filter for later DNA analysis.