Resources

FRV Scotia 0114S

Cruise plan

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FRV Scotia (748S)
Cruise identifier0114S
Cruise period2014-01-06 — 2014-01-21
StatusCompleted
Port of departureAberdeen, United Kingdom
Port of returnLeith, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesObjectives

1. To undertake water, sediment and biological sampling for the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme (CSEMP).
2. To collect water samples for nutrient studies as part of the Scottish Coastal Eutrophication Assessment Survey (SCEAS).
3. Undertake WFD/CSEMP sediment sampling at Lerwick and Firth of Forth for SEPA.
4. Monitor and record all litter brought aboard in all trawls. Sample water column and sediment for microplastic litter.
5. Collect seawater samples off Mingulay for Ocean Acidification ROAME

Procedure

Surface water will be collected for hydrographic nutrient studies (SCEAS) throughout the cruise at fixed time intervals. Nutrient samples will be analysed at sea where possible, otherwise will be appropriately stored and returned to the laboratory for analyses. Water samples will be taken off Mingulay in support of the Ocean Acidification ROAME.

Stratified random samples of sediment will be taken from one stratum on the East coast, four strata in the East Shetland Basin, two strata in the Moray Firth, two strata in the North Minch, one stratum in the Sea of Hebrides and one stratum to the west of the Hebrides. Sediment for chemical analyses will be taken at the four CSEMP fixed sites (NMMP85 - North Minch, NMMP95 - Inner Moray Firth, NMMP105 - Outer Moray Firth, NMMP165 - Montrose Bank).

Fish sampling will be carried out in the East Shetland Basin, East Shetland, West Shetland, west of Hebrides, Montrose Bank and the Outer Moray Firth. East Shetland Basin, West Shetland and west of Hebrides are proposed new sites for this survey.

Sediments will be sampled for chemical analyses at all locations. Sediment will be sieved for macrobenthos analysis (1 mm sieve) only at East Scotland, East Shetland Basin and west of Hebrides. Fish will be sampled for biological effects measurements and chemical analyses. Some biological effects measurements will be carried out during the cruise.

Additional sediment sampling will be carried out at 5 sites in the Firth of Forth and 5 sites at Lerwick, in support of CSEMP/WFD sampling for SEPA.

Monitoring of all litter brought on board during trawling operations will continue throughout the cruise. Testing of the sampling equipment for microplastics in the water column will be carried out in each of the sampling areas. Trials of towing the catamaran/neuston net at speeds of up to 8 knots will be carried out during traverses between areas. Additional sediment samples will also be taken at all sites sampled for microplastics in the water column.

Weather and time permitting extra sediment will be collected to provide a chemistry laboratory reference material. Where possible if sufficient suitable fish not required for other studies are obtained during trawling livers will be sampled for a reference material.
Chief scientistMarie Russell (Marine Scotland Aberdeen Marine Laboratory)
Cruise programmeFRV Scotia 0114S cruise programme 0114s.pdf  (0.30 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificScottish coast
Track chartsFRV Scotia 0114S cruise track — 0114strk.pdf (0.08 MB)