The Belcher Glacier seabed mapping program was carried out over a 12-hour period in September 2006 and consisted of: 1) imaging of deeper parts of the inlet using the EM300 30 kHz multibeam sonar on the CCGS Amundsen icebreaker; and 2) detailed mapping adjacent to the tidewater front using the 300 kHz multibeam launch CSL Heron. Data files from this mapping project are archived in ASCII, ESRI, and GTIF formats."

Multibeam sonar data and accompanying acoustic sub-bottom profile data were collected using the multibeam echosounder aboard the scientific icebreaker CCGS Amundsen. Particular focus in 2017 and 2018 mapping was on deep water troughs with apparent mega-scale glacial lineations (MSGL) in the northwest portion of outer Frobisher bay, and in the deep fault-bounded southwest margin of outer Frobisher bay.

This data is currently in relation to twelve piston cores collected aboard CCGS Amundsen, one on cruise 2014805, two on cruise 2015805, six on cruise 2016804, and three on cruise 2017805. Information about these cores (Location, length, grain size, radiocarbon dates, etc.) can be found by searching the NRCan Expedition Database.

Multibeam echosounder data near Qikiqtarjuaq were collected by the CCGS Amundsen in 2007 and by the RV Nuliajuk from 2012-2015. Data collected between 2007 and 2014 were processed by the Ocean Mapping Group at the University of New Brunswick (http://www.omg.unb.ca/) and were retrieved from their data sharing interface (http://www.omg.unb.ca/Projects/Arctic/SE_Baffin/). Data collected in 2015 were processed by the Fisheries and Marine Institute at Memorial University of Newfoundland (https://www.mi.mun.ca/) and were obtained directly from them. These datasets were clipped to only include the area near Qikiqtarjuaq relevant to the benthic habitat mapping project lead by the Memorial University Marine Habitat Mapping Group. Individual datasets were mosaicked to create single continuous bathymetry (m) and backscatter (dB) raster layers at 5 m resolution. Mapping activities were funded by ArcticNet and the Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment, Fisheries and Sealing Division to support benthic habitat mapping for marine ecosystem management in this area.

Benthic grab samples and underwater towed video samples were collected at long-term ecology sites while onboard the Government of Nunavut vessel MV Nulialjuk and CCGS Amundsen in July and October 2016. On-board the MV Nulialjuk, benthic grab samples (triplicate samples) and underwater towed video samples were collected at 5 long-term ecology stations near Iqaluit. An additional 7 benthic grab samples (triplicate samples) and towed video samples were collected near Cairn Island. On-board the CCGS Amundsen, benthic grab samples were collected at two long-term ecology stations (triplicate samples) near Cairn Island. Sampling gear included a Van Veen grab sampler, box core, and HD GoPro video system. Initial observations suggest that these stations are predominantly muddy sand with some larger cobbles present. Towed video analysis and benthic grab samples indicate the presence of the algae Laminaria sp. and Agarum clathratum and bivalves Mya truncata, Yoldia hyperborea, Clinocardium ciliatum, and Serripes groenlandicus. Ophiuroid echinoderms and tubiculous polychaete worms and tubes are abundant. Once all benthic grab samples and towed video samples are processed, this data will be compared with the historic sample data to answer questions about the nature of long-term change of the benthos at this region in inner Frobisher Bay.

Map Projection - A Lambert Conformal Conic projection (with two standard parallels) is used for the ArcticNet Basemap series of mapsheets. In order to minimize distortion in the areas of most interest, the standard parallels were specifically chosen to follow the two major east-west channels through the Northwest Passage (Parry Channel and Queen Maud/Coronation Gulf). The projection parameters are as follows: ¿ 1st Standard parallel: 70° ¿ 2nd Standard parallel: 73° ¿ Origin latitude: 70° ¿ Origin longitude: -105° ¿ False easting: 2,000,000 metres ¿ False northing: 2,000,000 metres Datums - Horizontal datum: NAD83; Vertical datum: soundings are reduced to mean sea level (MSL) using the WebTide tidal prediction models. Misc. Processing Details Since time is at a premium while underway, there are often cases where long transits are undertaken with little or no sound speed profiles collected. On the other hand, some oceanographic sections sampled by the Amundsen provide very dense sound speed information throughout the watercolumn. In sections where the watercolumn is poorly sampled, the 1/4 ° World Ocean Atlas (2001) climatology is used as a source of sound speed.

A deep water (100 to 1500 m), continental slope-focused field program was carried out over four years, covering the eastern, central and finally, the western Beaufort Sea regions during survey expeditions in 2011, the western Beaufort in 2012, and 2014. This was supported through the BREA program (Beaufort Regional Environmental Assessment) with funds from AANDC (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development). Research activities were conducted in collaboration with ArcticNet, the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), Imperial Oil, and British Petroleum and Chevron Canada. The primary survey platform was CCGS Amundsen. Supplementary datasets from these collaborators contributed to survey concepts and specific targets but are not part of the BREA dataset. An amalgamation of all the continental slope-related data (from and including 2009) are included in the dataset. Data generated through these activities included multibeam (ca. 9500 square km at 50 m resolution) and sub-bottom profiler sonars (nearly 41 000 km) and seabed sediment cores to investigate deep water geohazards through geotechnical, stratigraphic, age-dating, and interpretations of geo-features and processes related to sediment instability. These data continue to be a primary dataset for GSC (Geological Survey of Canada) scientists to enable their present focus on assessment of seabed instability.

The cores were collected using a small gravity corer aboard the MV Nuliajuk in September 2014, and a piston corer aboard the CCGS Amundsen during October of 2014 and 2015. Initial data included records of sample location and core length. Laboratory work has produced lithological logs, photography and x-radiography, grains size analysis, and radiocarbon dates from the cores sampled in 2014. For the 2015 cores, lithological logs, photography and x-radiography have also been obtained, with grains size analysis and radiocarbon dating in progress.