Resources

RRS Discovery D300

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74E3)
Cruise identifierD300
Cruise period2005-12-01 — 2006-01-14
StatusCompleted
Port of departurePort Elizabeth, South Africa
Port of returnCape Town, South Africa
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThe principal objective of the cruise was to assess how biogeochemical composition and flux of OM to the deep-sea floor drives benthic community structure, dynamics and diversity at two sites with contrasting primary production regimes.

Specific hypotheses to be tested:
1. That the variability in biogeochemical composition as well as the total flux of OM reaching the abyssal seafloor is dependent on the productivity of overlying surface waters.
2. That the biogeochemical composition of incoming OM is imprinted on the biochemistry of key detritovores.
3. That key nano-nutrients are critical for the reproduction of some deep-sea species and thus variations in OM flux affect sediment community structure and diversity.
4. That variations in total OM flux also influence benthic rate processes (e.g. faunal activity).

The cruise of RRS Discovery (D300) to the Crozet Plateau in the Southern Indian Ocean to the south east of South Africa was the field phase of the NERC project (NER/A/S/2003/00573) tackling this issue. We focused our studies on two contrasting areas of surface productivity around the Crozet Plateau (Southern Indian Ocean). We adopted an integrated, multidisciplinary approach which involves assessment the OM input to the deep-sea floor (export production), the ambient biogeochemistry of the sediment surface, the benthic community structure and diversity (molecular and morphological approaches), the activity of fish (seabed lander experimentation), the uptake of specific biochemicals by key species and their influence on reproductive processes. Eutrophic and oligotrophic conditions occur in well-constrained areas around the Crozet Plateau, but in close proximity to each other. To the south of the plateau is an oligotrophic High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) zone, typical of the Southern Ocean; to the north, however, is an area where annual blooms of primary production occur consistently, over the same area with the same temporal evolution. The bloom reaches its peak in October or November and collapses back close to the Crozet Plateau by December (Pollard et al., 2002). These eutrophic waters cover a large area despite being embedded within the HNLC zone. The study area is ideal for assessing the impact of changing biogeochemical composition of OM on the benthos because we can compare two communities that are:
1. At the same depth,
2. In the same physical (topographic and hydrographic) setting and
3. Interconnected (there is no physical barrier between them).

The Cruise sailed from Port Elizabeth on 1st December 2005 and docked at Capetown on 14th January 2006.
Chief scientistGeorge Wolff (University of Liverpool Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences)
ProjectCrozet
Cruise reportRRS Discovery D300 cruise report d300.pdf (4.02 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralIndian Ocean
SpecificCrozet Islands
Track chartsRRS Discovery D300 cruise track — d300trk.pdf (0.07 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Water bottle stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 10
Description: CTD, full water column depth for nutrient analysis
CTD stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 10
Description: CTD, full water column for salinity, T, chlorophyll, dissolved O2
Chemical oceanography 
OxygenQuantity: number of profiles = 10
Description: CTD, full water column for salinity, T, chlorophyll, dissolved O2
OxygenQuantity: number of cores = 9
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for pore water oxygen measurements
PhosphateQuantity: number of profiles = 10
Description: CTD, full water column depth for nutrient analysis
Total - PQuantity: number of samples = 161
Description: Underway samples for nutrient analysis
NitrateQuantity: number of profiles = 10
Description: CTD, full water column depth for nutrient analysis
NitriteQuantity: number of profiles = 10
Description: CTD, full water column depth for nutrient analysis
Total - NQuantity: number of samples = 161
Description: Underway samples for nutrient analysis
Trace elementsQuantity: number of samples = 10
Description: SAPS large volume in situ filtration system for particulate iron
Trace elementsQuantity: number of samples = 160
Description: Underway samples for iron analysis
Other chemical oceanographic measurementsQuantity: number of profiles = 2
Description: CTD for Helium/tritium analysis
Biology and fisheries 
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of profiles = 10
Description: CTD, full water column for salinity, T, chlorophyll, dissolved O2
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of samples = 161
Description: Underway samples for chlorophyll analysis
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of profiles = 4
Description: CTD sample, full water column depth for POC and PN
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of cores = 5
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for Hydrolysable amino acids
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of samples = 10
Description: SAPS large volume in situ filtration system for organic biogeochemistry
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of cores = 17
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for pigment measurements
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of samples = 4
Description: SAPS large volume in situ filtration system for archaebacterial lipids and proxies
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of cores = 13
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for TOC, TN, lipids
Pelagic bacteria/micro-organismsQuantity: number of samples = 2
Description: Bottom water collected for bacterial populations
Pelagic bacteria/micro-organismsQuantity: number of samples = 2
Description: SAPS large volume in situ filtration system for bacterial populations
Benthic bacteria/micro-organismsQuantity: number of cores = 11
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for determination of bacterial populations
Demersal fishQuantity: number of deployments = 6
Description: FRESP. The Fish RESPirometry Lander. Autonomous baited respirometry trap, video of demersal fish behaviour and in situ measurement of oxygen consumption
Demersal fishQuantity: number of deployments = 5
Description: ROBIO. RObust BIOdiversity Lander. Time-lapse photography with baited camera system, photographs taken to assess demersal fish populations and activity
Exploratory fishingQuantity: number of hauls = 6
Description: Benthic Otter Trawls. Collection of invertebrate megafauna and demersal fish.
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of cores = 13
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for macrofauna
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of deployments = 5
Description: WASP sea floor photography and video for study of benthic megafaunal populations
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of cores = 9
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for study of nematode populations
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of cores = 9
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for protozoan meiofauna
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of cores = 8
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for metazoan meiofauna
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of cores = 9
Description: Cores collected using Megacorer for study of polychaete populations
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Biology and fisheries 
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)46° 0' 0" S  56° 4' 59" E — Sediment traps 2001, 3195 m Current meters 2003, 3199 m; deployed 26/12/2004, recovered 20/12/2005
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)47° 45' 35" S  52° 52' 23" E — Sediment trap 1973 m, Current meter 1975 m, deployed 6/1/2005 (D285); recovered 26/12/2005
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)44° 29' 57" S  49° 59' 55" E — Sediment trap 2000 m, Current meter 2004 m; deployed 20/12/2004, recovered 8/12/2005
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)49° 0' 1" S  51° 30' 35" E — Sediment traps 2007, 3183 m Current meters 2010, 3186 m; deployed 3/1/2005, recovered 3/1/2006
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)47° 45' 35" S  52° 52' 23" E — Sediment trap 1973 m, Current meter 1975 m, deployed 6/1/2005 (D285); recovered 26/12/2005
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)49° 0' 1" S  51° 30' 35" E — Sediment traps 2007, 3183 m Current meters 2010, 3186 m; deployed 3/1/2005, recovered 3/1/2006
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)44° 29' 57" S  49° 59' 55" E — Sediment trap 2000 m, Current meter 2004 m; deployed 20/12/2004, recovered 8/12/2005
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)46° 0' 0" S  56° 4' 59" E — Sediment traps 2001, 3195 m Current meters 2003, 3199 m; deployed 26/12/2004, recovered 20/12/2005
Other biological/fisheries measurement46° 0' 35" S  56° 7' 22" E — Bathysnap camera system 4264 m; deployed 28/12/2004, recovered 1/1/2006
Other biological/fisheries measurement48° 59' 48" S  51° 28' 40" E — Bathysnap camera system 4202 m; deployed, failed to recover
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
23  Acoustic doppler current profiler
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Raw current meter output parameters
Vertical spatial coordinates
Vertical velocity of the water column (currents)
Horizontal platform movement
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Metadata parameters
Acoustic backscatter in the water column
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Raw current meter output parameters
Vertical spatial coordinates
Vertical velocity of the water column (currents)
Horizontal platform movement
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Metadata parameters
Acoustic backscatter in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
6797042005-12-25 07:59:32  — 2005-12-26 11:57:37 47° 38' 21" S  53° 3' 10" E — 45° 54' 25" S  55° 55' 40" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679704
6797902006-01-09 12:23:33  — 2006-01-11 12:26:58 38° 57' 9" S  29° 1' 9" E — 36° 56' 36" S  39° 52' 59" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679790
6796002005-12-09 12:00:13  — 2005-12-11 11:58:21 46° 0' 12" S  52° 43' 39" E — 45° 5' 29" S  57° 0' 30" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679600
6796972005-12-24 06:01:08  — 2005-12-24 10:59:09 45° 52' 25" S  56° 5' 34" E — 45° 50' 8" S  56° 10' 35" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679697
6796362005-12-14 12:00:31  — 2005-12-16 11:58:40 46° 4' 1" S  56° 6' 21" E — 45° 43' 26" S  56° 56' 43" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679636
6797412005-12-30 11:59:54  — 2006-01-01 11:59:53 49° 13' 16" S  50° 58' 47" E — 48° 52' 9" S  51° 31' 40" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679741
6797772006-01-05 12:12:44  — 2006-01-07 12:16:09 49° 1' 59" S  49° 1' 15" E — 43° 31' 26" S  51° 55' 47" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679777
6795812005-12-05 11:59:19  — 2005-12-07 11:58:07 41° 22' 0" S  37° 59' 7" E — 35° 28' 17" S  46° 8' 17" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679581
6796242005-12-13 12:00:29  — 2005-12-14 11:58:32 45° 53' 51" S  56° 6' 20" E — 45° 50' 11" S  56° 27' 3" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679624
6796852005-12-22 12:01  — 2005-12-24 05:59:07 45° 59' 19" S  55° 49' 50" E — 45° 49' 7" S  56° 26' 56" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679685
6797892006-01-07 12:18:08  — 2006-01-09 12:21:33 43° 28' 32" S  39° 59' 5" E — 38° 58' 18" S  48° 58' 24" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679789
6796482005-12-16 12:00:39  — 2005-12-18 11:58:48 45° 56' 36" S  56° 6' 8" E — 45° 28' 54" S  56° 50' 30" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679648
6796732005-12-20 12:00:54  — 2005-12-22 11:59 45° 56' 9" S  56° 6' 2" E — 45° 28' 24" S  56° 45' 52" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679673
6795562005-12-01 13:56:13  — 2005-12-03 11:57:14 33° 55' 55" S  25° 46' 18" E — 29° 50' 26" S  31° 9' 57" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679556
6797162005-12-26 11:59:38  — 2005-12-28 11:57:45 49° 12' 5" S  50° 39' 51" E — 47° 38' 34" S  53° 2' 52" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679716
6797282005-12-28 11:59:45  — 2005-12-30 11:57:53 49° 14' 43" S  50° 51' 16" E — 48° 52' 22" S  51° 27' 46" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679728
6798082006-01-11 12:28:57  — 2006-01-13 13:32:36 36° 55' 19" S  19° 41' 26" E — 35° 4' 51" S  28° 54' 13" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679808
6795932005-12-07 12:00:04  — 2005-12-09 11:58:12 45° 5' 22" S  46° 8' 38" E — 41° 22' 15" S  52° 43' 9" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679593
6796122005-12-11 12:00:21  — 2005-12-13 11:58:28 46° 1' 10" S  56° 4' 27" E — 45° 42' 55" S  56° 56' 58" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679612
6797532006-01-01 12:01:18  — 2006-01-03 12:05:19 49° 8' 9" S  50° 55' 29" E — 48° 56' 58" S  51° 42' 0" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679753
6795682005-12-03 11:59:12  — 2005-12-05 11:57:20 35° 28' 1" S  31° 2' 43" E — 29° 51' 28" S  37° 58' 47" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679568
6796612005-12-18 12:00:47  — 2005-12-20 11:58:55 46° 1' 8" S  55° 56' 38" E — 45° 45' 22" S  56° 25' 58" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679661
6797652006-01-03 12:07:21  — 2006-01-05 12:10:44 49° 7' 14" S  51° 9' 24" E — 48° 58' 33" S  51° 15' 34" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 679765
10  CTD/STD cast
Reference numbers
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Salinity of the water column
Reference numbers
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Salinity of the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
6814812005-12-28 16:23:11  — 2005-12-28 17:46:43 49° 3' 31" S  51° 17' 27" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681481
6815002006-01-06 11:21:23  — 2006-01-06 11:24:03 46° 22' 49" S  51° 49' 46" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681500
6814202005-12-11 12:03:13  — 2005-12-11 13:19:37 46° 0' 25" S  56° 15' 31" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681420
6814932006-01-06 05:17:41  — 2006-01-06 05:29:55 46° 29' 58" S  51° 55' 1" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681493
6814562006-01-03 22:12:48  — 2006-01-03 22:52:37 49° 4' 59" S  51° 13' 13" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681456
6814072005-12-08 17:35:32  — 2005-12-08 18:44:30 44° 28' 55" S  50° 0' 1" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681407
6814322005-12-23 22:28:28  — 2005-12-23 23:48:06 45° 55' 50" S  56° 24' 50" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681432
6814442005-12-30 18:00:34  — 2005-12-30 19:19:34 49° 10' 49" S  51° 10' 43" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681444
6814682006-01-04 21:21:18  — 2006-01-04 22:37:53 49° 2' 4" S  51° 13' 5" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681468
6814192005-12-14 10:19:26  — 2005-12-14 11:35 45° 53' 39" S  56° 23' 49" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 681419
1  Pumped water sample
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
16515262005-12-05 16:16  — 2006-01-08 09:10 49° 2' 59" S  38° 31' 48" E — 44° 0' 0" N  57° 0' 35" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1651526
Discrete samples 
10  CTD frame plus rosette samplerSalinity of the water column
36  MulticorerConcentration of aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment samples
Concentration of carbohydrates, phenols, alkanols (alcohols), ethers, aldehydes and ketones in sediment
Sediment lipid concentrations
Dissolved oxygen parameters for sediments
Phaeopigment concentrations in sediment
Concentration of alkenones and alkenoates in sediment
Carotenoid pigment concentrations in sediment
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in sediment
Nitrogen concentrations in sediment
Inorganic chemical composition of sediment or rocks
Carbon concentrations in sediment
317  Sample taken from ship's non-toxic supplySalinity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
13  Stand-alone pumpsParticulate metal concentrations in the water column
Water body lipid concentrations
Particulate total and organic nitrogen concentrations in the water column
Concentration of alkenones and alkenoates in the water column
Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column
Concentration of carbohydrates, phenols, alkanols (alcohols), aldehydes and ketones in water bodies
Particulate total and organic carbon concentrations in the water column