Resources

RRS Discovery D147

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74E3)
Cruise identifierD147
Cruise period1984-04-26 — 1984-05-17
StatusCompleted
Port of departureOporto, Portugal
Port of returnFalmouth, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1. To make the first of four cruises planned to examine biogeochemical fluxes in the N.E. Atlantic working transects in latitude from the shelf to ridge at 5° intervals of longitude. The 42N and 50N transects were to be worked on this cruise, sampling to be carried out by in situ filtration and water bottles.
2. To identify fronts on the 42N transect by thermosalinograph and XBT records and sample water and particulate materials in the fronts.
3. To collect samples of airborne, sea surface and deep water particulate matter in order to determine sources, cycles and fluxes of Pb isotopes.
4. To obtain samples for microbiological analysis in conjunction with the biogeochemical fluxes studies.
5. To carry out the second of three cruises that comprise the Phytodetritus programme. On this cruise:-
(a) To sample superficial sediment and benthic phytodetritus for microbiological, chemical and taxonomic investigation.
(b) To examine the effect of recently deposited detritus on chemical fluxes across the sediment-water interface by an in situ incubation technique.
(c) To quantify the vertical flux of phytodetritus throughout the water column using a sediment trap mooring.
(d) To sample the benthic meiofauna.
(e) To obtain samples of phytodetritus in midwater for chemical analysis using the FIDO package.
6. To test the MkIII porewater sampler.
Chief scientistWilliam Simpson (Institute of Oceanographic Sciences Wormley Laboratory)
Cruise reportRRS Discovery D147 cruise report d147.pdf (0.78 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificN.E. Atlantic
Track chartsRRS Discovery D147 cruise track — d147track.pdf (0.01 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
BathythermographDescription: A number of XBTs were deployed during the cruise. No. of deployments not noted.
CTD stationsDescription: A number of CTD casts were made throughout the cruise
Subsurface temperature and salinity measurementsDescription: A number of samples were collected during the cruise. No. of samples not noted.