Resources

RRS Discovery D31

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74E3)
Cruise identifierD31
Cruise period1970-01-21 — 1970-03-12
StatusCompleted
Port of departureBarry, United Kingdom
Port of returnSouthampton, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThe cruise had two main purposes. Up to 24th February, the aim was to observe the formation of deep water in the N.W. Mediterranean, in cooperation with the "Jean Charoot". This work was a continuation of a similar project undertaken last year.
The second main purpose of the cruise was to study the Mediterranean outflow, at a point in the Gulf of Cadiz where the outflowing water was clear of the bottom, by means of repeated TSD dips and a variety of current measuring devices.
Chief scientistJohn C Swallow (National Institute of Oceanography)
Cruise reportRRS Discovery D31 cruise report d31.pdf (0.48 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralBay of Biscay
Mediterranean Sea
Strait of Gibraltar (Mediterranean Sea)
Track chartsRRS Discovery D31 cruise track — d31track.pdf (0.02 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Water bottle stationsDescription: T surface only
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 127
Current meters
Chemical oceanography 
OxygenQuantity: number of stations = 94
PhosphateQuantity: number of stations = 14
SilicateQuantity: number of stations = 14
Meteorology 
Incident radiation
Occasional standard measurements
Other meteorological measurementsDescription: sea and swell
Geology and geophysics 
Multi-beam echosoundingDescription: beam angel of precision echo sounder about +/- 16 degrees