Department of small underwater vehicle (ROV) for Antarctic lake survey

In the recent study, unique ecosystemic existence became clear in the lakes around the Syowa Station. On the lake bottom of Naga, Hotoke, and Kuwai Lakes in Skarvsnes on the Soya Coast, a cone-shaped biological community structure mainly consisting of mosses, algae and cyanobacteria have been confirmed. On the other hand, the process leading to fixation and growth from the invasion of the creature has not been elucidated. Conventionally, these lake surveys have been carried out by scuba diving. However, an extensive, effective investigation is difficult because time limitation is rigid for a diving investigation in the low-temperature environment. Therefore, it is difficult to investigate the distribution of lake bottom communities widely and efficiently in various lakes, and it is one of the major factors that limit the progress of research. In this study, we aimed to create visual information as ‘Habitat mapping’ from the lake surface and underwater by developing a new ROV, which is usable a+t the Antarctic lake surveys during the 58th and 59th Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions.