Resources

FS Meteor M108

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)FS Meteor (06M3)
Cruise identifierM108
Cruise period2014-07-06 — 2014-07-24
StatusCompleted
Port of departureLas Palmas, Spain
Port of returnSouthampton, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThe oceanic water column and the underlying seabed change on a variety of temporal and spatial scales. The objective of the PAP observatory is to provide high temporal resolution (hours) of an increasing number of variables which are relevant from the perspective of the biology, physics and chemistry over a relatively small spatial scale (30km). The site has been under examination for over 20 years and during that time, substantial changes have been observed in the benthic environment. The intention is to sustain and enhance these observations in order that a deeper understanding is obtained into the processes which operate; in particular the responses to the changes which are currently taking place in the global environment. The objective of the cruise was primarily to service the infrastructure required for continuous sustained observation, and to put these into context using observations from the ship which as yet cannot be carried out autonomously. In parallel to maintaining and extending exisiting measurements, the over view was enhanced by parallel research into nitrogen cycling processes occurring in marine aggregates along with studies of the abundance, distribution of and composition of those aggregates. These investigations were carried out using a multi instrument observational approach combined with direct sampling. In addition the cruise achieved substantial sampling of the seabed of the PAP and associated abyssal hills, directly by coring and seasonally by time lapse photography.
Chief scientistRichard Stephen Lampitt (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)
ProjectPorcupine Abyssal Plain deep ocean observatory
Cruise reportFS Meteor M108 cruise report meteor_m108.pdf (7.37 MB) 
NPRCFS Meteor M108 NPRC meteor_m108.pdf (0.01 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralCeltic Sea
SpecificPorcupine Abyssal Plain
Track chartsFS Meteor M108 cruise track — meteor_m108trk.pdf (1.35 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
CTD stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 17
Description: CTD measurements of pressure, salinity, temperature, oxygen, chlorophyll, plus water samples from some CTDs for chlorophyll, oxygen, salinity, DIC and Ammonia, plus UVP images
Biology and fisheries 
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of stations = 26
Description: In situ particle characteristic using in-line Holography and photographic systems for water column profiles, (0-250m); Biogeochemical analysis
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Snowcatcher water samples analysed for particle size and sinking speed
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: WP2, plankton net, 200µm, to 200m, 3 x midnight, 3 x noon
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of cores = 11
Description: MacroBenthos; MeioBenthos; Foraminifera; Preserved Samples; Ecological Analysis
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Optics (eg underwater light levels)49° 1' 40" N  16° 19' 48" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Optics (eg underwater light levels)48° 48' 53" N  16° 15' 59" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Current meters48° 59' 27" N  16° 26' 32" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Recovery
Current meters48° 59' 25" N  16° 24' 50" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Deployment
Chemical oceanography 
Oxygen48° 48' 53" N  16° 15' 59" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Oxygen49° 1' 40" N  16° 19' 48" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Oxygen48° 59' 27" N  16° 26' 32" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Recovery
Oxygen48° 59' 25" N  16° 24' 50" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Deployment
Carbon dioxide49° 1' 40" N  16° 19' 48" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Carbon dioxide48° 48' 53" N  16° 15' 59" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Nitrate49° 1' 40" N  16° 19' 48" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Nitrate48° 48' 53" N  16° 15' 59" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
pH48° 48' 53" N  16° 15' 59" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
pH49° 1' 40" N  16° 19' 48" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Biology and fisheries 
Primary productivity49° 1' 40" N  16° 19' 48" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Primary productivity48° 48' 53" N  16° 15' 59" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Sediment traps48° 50' 39" N  16° 25' 6" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Recovery
Sediment traps48° 49' 34" N  16° 17' 35" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Recovery
Sediment traps48° 59' 30" N  16° 27' 59" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Deployment
Sediment traps48° 55' 1" N  16° 22' 24" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Recovery
Sediment traps48° 58' 31" N  16° 16' 18" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Deployment
Sediment traps48° 59' 56" N  16° 29' 55" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Deployment
Sediment traps48° 43' 35" N  16° 40' 46" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Recovery
Sediment traps48° 50' 4" N  16° 31' 9" W — Drifting Sediment Traps Deployment
Sediment traps48° 59' 25" N  16° 24' 50" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Deployment
Sediment traps48° 59' 27" N  16° 26' 32" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Recovery
Zooplankton48° 48' 53" N  16° 15' 59" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Zooplankton49° 1' 40" N  16° 19' 48" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Zoobenthos48° 49' 59" N  16° 30' 0" W — Time lapse Camera Deployment
Zoobenthos48° 49' 59" N  16° 30' 0" W — Time lapse Camera Recovery
Geology and geophysics 
Bottom photography48° 49' 59" N  16° 30' 0" W — Time lapse Camera Recovery
Bottom photography48° 49' 59" N  16° 30' 0" W — Time lapse Camera Deployment
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
1  Dissolved oxygen sensor
Reference numbers
Date and time
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
21592072014-07-15 09:30  — 2015-06-24 09:30 49° 1' 46" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2159207
2  Fluorometers
Reference numbers
Date and time
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Reference numbers
Date and time
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
19208202014-07-13 10:43:58  — 2015-06-24 13:00:30 49° 1' 47" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1920820
21592192014-07-15 09:30  — 2015-06-24 09:30 49° 1' 46" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2159219
2  In-situ dissolved gas analyser
Reference numbers
Date and time
Partial pressure (pCO2) and fugacity (fCO2) of carbon dioxide in the water column
Dissolved concentration parameters for other gases in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Partial pressure (pCO2) and fugacity (fCO2) of carbon dioxide in the water column
Dissolved concentration parameters for other gases in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
17787852014-07-15 23:59:12  — 2015-02-27 11:49:55 49° 1' 47" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1778785
20736172014-07-15 15:07:01  — 2015-03-19 06:00:39 49° 1' 46" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2073617
1  In-situ nutrient analyser
Reference numbers
Date and time
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
20746692014-07-15 07:20:41  — 2015-03-07 22:21:53 49° 1' 47" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2074669
2  Multiple instrument types
Moored instrument depth
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Moored instrument depth
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
20266182014-07-15 00:00:42  — 2015-06-24 10:00:43 49° 1' 47" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2026618
20266312014-07-15 00:00:24  — 2015-06-24 10:00:28 49° 1' 47" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2026631
1  Water temperature and/or salinity monitor
Moored instrument depth
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Moored instrument depth
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
20266062014-07-15 00:00:01  — 2015-06-24 10:15:01 49° 1' 47" N  16° 19' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2026606
Discrete samples 
4  Box core
19  CTD frame plus rosette samplerTotal dissolved inorganic carbon (TCO2) concentration in the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Alkalinity, acidity and pH of the water column
4  Drifting rig with sediment traps
1  Expendable Bathythermograph
2  Instrument mooring
6  Marine snow catcher
7  Multicorer
26  Underwater camera system
12  WP-2 zooplankton net
1