Resources

RRS James Clark Ross JR20131112 (JR291)

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS James Clark Ross (74JC)
Cruise identifierJR20131112 (JR291)
Cruise period2013-11-12 — 2013-12-19
StatusCompleted
Port of departureStanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Port of returnStanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesCruise to the South Georgia region nested inside a combined logistic and science leg during voyage 23 of the RRS James Clark Ross. As part of the logistics element the ship undertook base reliefs at Bird Island and King Edward Point (South Georgia), and Signy (South Orkney Islands). During the science part of the cruise we undertook the Western Core Box survey to determine the distribution and biomass of krill northwest of South Georgia, refurbished the biological moorings in the South Georgia region.

The main deliverable of the WCB is a consistent unique time series of mesoscale distribution and abundance of Antarctic krill and an understanding of the physical environment they are within at South Georgia, South Atlantic (1996 - current). These data are required to understand the long term variability in krill biomass at South Georgia and the influences from climate variability, fishing pressure and predation. Standard data sets include

1) Underway calibrated scientific biological echosounder acoustic transects
2) Vertical CTD profiles and continuous underway data
3) Stratified RMT8 hauls macrozooplankton/micronekton hauls
4) Targetted RMT8 hauls macrozooplankton/micronekton hauls

Four moorings are recovered and redeployed for sustained observations of zooplankton density and carbon export. Two shallow moorings, one near Signy and one on the South Georgia shelf, and two deep moorings located north-west and south-west of South Georgia.
Measurements were made at these moorings sites (as well as two other additional sites) for carbon export (thorium, polonium isotope work and snowcatcher observations with collaborators from NOC, Southampton) and for zooplankton behaviour and effects of ocean acidification.
Chief scientistSophie Fielding (British Antarctic Survey)
ProjectBAS Western Core Box and sustained observatories
Coordinating bodyNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Cruise reportRRS James Clark Ross JR20131112 (JR291) cruise report jr291.pdf (5.15 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralSouth West Atlantic Ocean (limit 20W)
Southern Ocean
SpecificScotia Sea
Track chartsRRS James Clark Ross JR20131112 (JR291) cruise track — jr291trk.pdf (0.15 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
BathythermographQuantity: number of profiles = 25
Description: XBTs
CTD stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 23
Description: CTD casts. Continuous recordings Conductivity, temperature, depth, fluorescence, PAR, transmittance, Lowered ADCP. Discrete bottle samples pH, fluorescence samples,PCO2
Current profiler (eg ADCP)Quantity: activity duration in days = 19
Description: Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler measurements 75 kHz surveyor
Chemical oceanography 
Carbon dioxideQuantity: number of profiles = 23
Description: CTD casts. Continuous recordings Conductivity, temperature, depth, fluorescence, PAR, transmittance, Lowered ADCP. Discrete bottle samples pH, fluorescence samples,PCO2
PhosphateQuantity: activity duration in days = 23
Description: Underway phytoplankton, nutrient and carbon export (thorium and polonium) sampling.
NitrateQuantity: activity duration in days = 23
Description: Underway phytoplankton, nutrient and carbon export (thorium and polonium) sampling.
SilicateQuantity: activity duration in days = 23
Description: Underway phytoplankton, nutrient and carbon export (thorium and polonium) sampling.
pHQuantity: number of profiles = 23
Description: CTD casts. Continuous recordings Conductivity, temperature, depth, fluorescence, PAR, transmittance, Lowered ADCP. Discrete bottle samples pH, fluorescence samples,PCO2
pHQuantity: number of samples
Description: Pteropod samples from MOCNESS nets
IsotopesQuantity: number of stations = 5
Description: Stand-alone pump deployments
IsotopesQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Carbon export measurements using thorium and polonium. Made from CTD cast waters
IsotopesQuantity: number of profiles = 23
Description: CTD casts. Continuous recordings Conductivity, temperature, depth, fluorescence, PAR, transmittance, Lowered ADCP. Discrete bottle samples pH, fluorescence samples,PCO2
IsotopesQuantity: activity duration in days = 23
Description: Underway phytoplankton, nutrient and carbon export (thorium and polonium) sampling.
Biology and fisheries 
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of profiles = 23
Description: CTD casts. Continuous recordings Conductivity, temperature, depth, fluorescence, PAR, transmittance, Lowered ADCP. Discrete bottle samples pH, fluorescence samples,PCO2
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: activity duration in days = 23
Description: Underway phytoplankton, nutrient and carbon export (thorium and polonium) sampling.
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of profiles = 7
Description: Snowcatcher deployments to examine sediment flux
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of profiles = 7
Description: Snowcatcher deployments to examine sediment flux
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of profiles = 9
Description: Multiple Opening and Closing Net and Environmental Sampling System (MOCNESS) 9 opening and closing nets in vertical profiles to a depth of 1000m. Samples to be analysed for genetics, lipids and effects of ocean acidification
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of profiles = 18
Description: Rectangular Midwater Trawl 8 (RMT8) opening and closing nets. Two nets at each event. Targetted hauls and oblique trawls for krill samples (length frequency) and macrozooplankton sampling
PhytoplanktonQuantity: number of profiles = 23
Description: CTD casts. Continuous recordings Conductivity, temperature, depth, fluorescence, PAR, transmittance, Lowered ADCP. Discrete bottle samples pH, fluorescence samples,PCO2
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of samples
Description: Pteropod samples from MOCNESS nets
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of profiles = 9
Description: Multiple Opening and Closing Net and Environmental Sampling System (MOCNESS) 9 opening and closing nets in vertical profiles to a depth of 1000m. Samples to be analysed for genetics, lipids and effects of ocean acidification
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of profiles = 18
Description: Rectangular Midwater Trawl 8 (RMT8) opening and closing nets. Two nets at each event. Targetted hauls and oblique trawls for krill samples (length frequency) and macrozooplankton sampling
NektonQuantity: number of profiles = 18
Description: Rectangular Midwater Trawl 8 (RMT8) opening and closing nets. Two nets at each event. Targetted hauls and oblique trawls for krill samples (length frequency) and macrozooplankton sampling
Acoustic reflection on marine organisms.Quantity: activity duration in days = 19
Description: EK60 multifrequency acoustic backscatter collected at 38, 120 and 200 kHz. Instrument calibrated in Stromness with known reference sphere. Data collected to 1100m
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of profiles = 18
Description: Rectangular Midwater Trawl 8 (RMT8) opening and closing nets. Two nets at each event. Targetted hauls and oblique trawls for krill samples (length frequency) and macrozooplankton sampling
Geology and geophysics 
Multi-beam echosoundingQuantity: activity duration in days = 6
Description: EM122 swathy bathymetry data
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Current meters52° 46' 5" S  40° 9' 11" W — Site is P3. Recovery date 8/12/2013. Water depth is 3700m. Mooring recovered with 1x CTDs (one at ~200m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Current meters55° 14' 46" S  41° 15' 23" W — Site is P2. Deployment date 7/12/2013. Water depth is 3200m. Mooring deployed with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Current meters55° 15' 12" S  41° 15' 11" W — Site is P2. Recovery date 2/12/2013. Water depth 3200m Mooring recovered with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)55° 15' 12" S  41° 15' 11" W — Site is P2. Recovery date 2/12/2013. Water depth 3200m Mooring recovered with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)52° 46' 5" S  40° 9' 11" W — Site is P3. Recovery date 8/12/2013. Water depth is 3700m. Mooring recovered with 1x CTDs (one at ~200m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)53° 48' 5" S  37° 56' 16" W — Site is WCB mooring. Deployment date 6/12/2013. Water depth is 320 m. Subsurface buoy at ~220 m water depth. ADCP, WCP and CTD mounted on subsurface buoy.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)55° 14' 46" S  41° 15' 23" W — Site is P2. Deployment date 7/12/2013. Water depth is 3200m. Mooring deployed with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Other physical oceanographic measurements55° 15' 12" S  41° 15' 11" W — Site is P2. Recovery date 2/12/2013. Water depth 3200m Mooring recovered with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Other physical oceanographic measurements53° 48' 5" S  37° 56' 16" W — Site is WCB mooring. Deployment date 6/12/2013. Water depth is 320 m. Subsurface buoy at ~220 m water depth. ADCP, WCP and CTD mounted on subsurface buoy.
Other physical oceanographic measurements55° 14' 46" S  41° 15' 23" W — Site is P2. Deployment date 7/12/2013. Water depth is 3200m. Mooring deployed with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Other physical oceanographic measurements52° 46' 5" S  40° 9' 11" W — Site is P3. Recovery date 8/12/2013. Water depth is 3700m. Mooring recovered with 1x CTDs (one at ~200m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Biology and fisheries 
Sediment traps55° 14' 46" S  41° 15' 23" W — Site is P2. Deployment date 7/12/2013. Water depth is 3200m. Mooring deployed with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Sediment traps55° 15' 12" S  41° 15' 11" W — Site is P2. Recovery date 2/12/2013. Water depth 3200m Mooring recovered with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Sediment traps52° 46' 5" S  40° 9' 11" W — Site is P3. Recovery date 8/12/2013. Water depth is 3700m. Mooring recovered with 1x CTDs (one at ~200m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Acoustic reflection on marine organisms.55° 15' 12" S  41° 15' 11" W — Site is P2. Recovery date 2/12/2013. Water depth 3200m Mooring recovered with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Acoustic reflection on marine organisms.53° 48' 5" S  37° 56' 16" W — Site is WCB mooring. Deployment date 6/12/2013. Water depth is 320 m. Subsurface buoy at ~220 m water depth. ADCP, WCP and CTD mounted on subsurface buoy.
Acoustic reflection on marine organisms.52° 46' 5" S  40° 9' 11" W — Site is P3. Recovery date 8/12/2013. Water depth is 3700m. Mooring recovered with 1x CTDs (one at ~200m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Acoustic reflection on marine organisms.55° 14' 46" S  41° 15' 23" W — Site is P2. Deployment date 7/12/2013. Water depth is 3200m. Mooring deployed with 2 x CTDs (one at ~200m, one at ~700m). ADCP at ~200m, sediment trap and current meter is 1700m above the seabed. ~200 m represents the subsurface buoy depth that is variable with current draw down.
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
25  Bathythermograph (MBT/XBT)
Reference numbers
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Temperature of the water column
Reference numbers
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Temperature of the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18119322013-12-10 10:15 53° 38' 21" S  38° 55' 45" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811932
18120812013-12-12 13:13 53° 8' 55" S  37° 49' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812081
18118642013-12-09 09:09 53° 31' 26" S  39° 32' 58" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811864
18119072013-12-09 12:33 54° 3' 26" S  39° 23' 26" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811907
18120322013-12-12 09:13 53° 41' 34" S  37° 47' 19" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812032
18119192013-12-10 08:00 53° 59' 40" S  38° 48' 59" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811919
18121122013-12-12 16:38 53° 40' 38" S  37° 39' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812112
18119442013-12-10 11:23 53° 27' 45" S  38° 59' 3" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811944
18120072013-12-11 11:56 53° 45' 2" S  38° 16' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812007
18120192013-12-11 13:02 53° 55' 37" S  38° 13' 14" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812019
18118522013-12-09 08:00 53° 20' 38" S  39° 36' 10" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811852
18118762013-12-09 10:17 53° 42' 7" S  39° 29' 49" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811876
18119682013-12-11 08:31 53° 13' 13" S  38° 26' 54" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811968
18121242013-12-12 17:46 53° 51' 12" S  37° 35' 35" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812124
18118882013-12-09 11:26 53° 52' 53" S  39° 26' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811888
18119562013-12-10 12:30 53° 17' 9" S  39° 2' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811956
18119812013-12-11 09:40 53° 23' 50" S  38° 23' 33" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811981
18119932013-12-11 10:49 53° 34' 28" S  38° 20' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811993
18120682013-12-12 12:36 53° 9' 47" S  37° 57' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812068
18119202013-12-10 09:08 53° 49' 4" S  38° 52' 28" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1811920
18120202013-12-12 08:06 53° 52' 13" S  37° 43' 45" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812020
18120442013-12-12 10:20 53° 30' 58" S  37° 50' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812044
18120562013-12-12 11:28 53° 20' 7" S  37° 54' 14" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812056
18120932013-12-12 14:23 53° 19' 26" S  37° 46' 23" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812093
18121002013-12-12 15:30 53° 30' 2" S  37° 42' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1812100
14  CTD/STD cast
Reference numbers
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Salinity of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Temperature of the water column
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Reference numbers
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Salinity of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Temperature of the water column
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18090852013-12-06 11:53 53° 48' 6" S  37° 56' 16" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809085
18090612013-12-03 05:59 55° 11' 28" S  41° 20' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809061
18091412013-12-13 12:15 52° 46' 7" S  40° 9' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809141
18090122013-11-22 18:57 54° 17' 52" S  36° 26' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809012
18090732013-12-04 17:07 54° 9' 34" S  36° 41' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809073
18090362013-12-01 12:34 59° 57' 44" S  46° 9' 34" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809036
18091042013-12-08 12:13 52° 46' 9" S  40° 9' 22" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809104
18091532013-12-14 05:01 52° 46' 9" S  40° 9' 14" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809153
18090002013-11-22 11:39 54° 16' 41" S  36° 26' 15" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809000
18090242013-11-30 23:05 60° 12' 33" S  46° 20' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809024
18090482013-12-02 22:28 55° 11' 29" S  41° 20' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809048
18090972013-12-07 13:41 55° 15' 31" S  41° 17' 41" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809097
18091162013-12-08 22:44 52° 45' 55" S  40° 9' 25" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809116
18091282013-12-09 20:12 53° 29' 34" S  39° 15' 4" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1809128
Discrete samples 
23  CTD frame plus rosette samplerChlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
170  Sample taken from ship's non-toxic supplyChlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies