Cruise details

RRS Charles Darwin (Depart Bermuda 1 May - Arrive Lisbon 15 June)
© RRS Charles Darwin (Depart Bermuda 1 May - Arrive Lisbon 15 June)

The cruise will be undertaken on the RRS Charles Darwin, departing from Bermuda on 1 May 2005 and arriving in Lisbon on 15 June 2005. The core measurements are:

  • Full-depth CTD measurements providing temperature, conductivity and depth, plus water samples analysed for salinity, inorganic nutrients (N, P, Si); organic N and P components; carbon system (DIC, alkalinity); SF6, CFC and Helium/Tritium tracers to identify age.
  • These core observations will be supplemented by measurements made by our tied PhD students: estimates of DON and DOP composition and lifetimes and isotopic N signatures, atmospheric deposition of N and P, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved oxygen and plankton respiration rates.
  • Physics and nutrient chemistry will be led by SOC; carbon and tracer chemistry by UEA; tritium-helium samples taken by Liverpool/POL.


Proposed stations along 36N together with stations along 26N taken last year
© Proposed stations along 36N together with stations along 26N taken last year.


Detail of proposed 36N section with annotated waypoints
© Detail of proposed 36N section with annotated waypoints.

The table below shows the proposed section timings with the whole cruise taking ~40 days with an extra 2 days for SAPS and another 2 for contingencies (total ~45 days). It would take an extra 4 days to extend the cruise south from G all the way past F to the African continent.

Waypoint

Comment

Dist(nm)

Stns

Time(h)

Ave Stns/24h

A

Bermuda

       

B

 

323

2

40

1.2

C

 

251

17

93

4.4

D

 

151

0

15

 

E

Repeat B

302

18

102

4.2

F

 

2916

98

684

3.4

G

End section

77

6

32

4.5

H Lisbon
110
0
11
  
Total
  
4130
141
40d17h