Resources

RRS Challenger CH88

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Challenger (74CH)
Cruise identifierCH88
Cruise period1992-02-07 — 1992-02-24
StatusCompleted
Port of departureBarry, United Kingdom
Port of returnDundee, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1. To obtain field determination of the air-sea gas exchange rate over short time scales (approx 17-72 hours) and hence obtain relatively high resolution data to evaluate the dependance of the exchange rate on windspeed.
2. To measure the spatial variation in levels on the major nutrients in the North Sea, together with rates of phytoplankton production, nitrogen assimilation and bacterial production with particular regard to the major estuaries in the region.
Chief scientistPhilip D Nightingale (University of East Anglia School of Environmental Sciences)
ProjectE.P.O.C.H.
Coordinating bodyMax Planck Institut fur Meteorologie, Hamburg
Cruise reportRRS Challenger CH88 cruise report ch88_92.pdf (0.45 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Sea
SpecificGerman Bight,Schelt,Rhine,Thames,Humber,Wash,Tyne,Tees,Forth
Track chartsRRS Challenger CH88 cruise track — ch88_92track.pdf (11.60 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Surface measurements underway (T,S)Quantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: logged every 30 seconds
CTD stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 13
Geochemical tracers (eg freons)Quantity: number of profiles = 13
Description: Analysis of SF6 and helium-3, from surface, middle and bottom
Chemical oceanography 
PhosphateQuantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous, logged every 30 seconds
NitrateQuantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous, logged every 30 seconds
NitriteQuantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous, logged every 30 seconds
AmmoniaQuantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous, logged every 30 seconds
SilicateQuantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous, logged every 30 seconds
Other chemical oceanographic measurementsQuantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous underway urea, logged every 30 seconds
Contamination 
Suspended matterQuantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous, turbidity, logged every 30 seconds
Biology and fisheries 
Primary productivityQuantity: number of measurements = 64
Description: Primary production measurements at 3-4 hour intervals
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: track kilometres = 5200
Description: continuous, fluorescence/chlorophyll, logged every 30 seconds
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of measurements = 64
Description: Nitrogen assimilation and bacterial production, taken at 3-4 hour intervals
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Geochemical tracers (eg freons)52° 15' 0" N  3° 30' 0" E — Deployment (10Feb92) of sulphur hexafluoride and heluim-3 in seawater
Surface drifters/drifting buoys52° 21' 0" N  3° 36' 0" E — ARGOS IDB 3, used to mark tracer patch
Surface drifters/drifting buoys52° 22' 59" N  3° 40' 59" E — ARGOS IDB 4, used to mark tracer patch
Surface drifters/drifting buoys52° 17' 59" N  3° 32' 59" E — ARGOS IDB 2, used to mark tracer patch
Surface drifters/drifting buoys52° 22' 59" N  3° 40' 59" E — ARGOS IDB 5, used to mark tracer patch
Surface drifters/drifting buoys52° 15' 0" N  3° 30' 0" E — ARGOS IDB 1, used to mark tracer patch
Meteorology 
Other meteorological measurements52° 27' 0" N  3° 31' 0" E — Wind vane and anemometer, tanker previously containing tracer - lost