RV Cefas Endeavour 14/16
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RV Cefas Endeavour (74E9) |
| Cruise identifier | 14/16 |
| Cruise period | 2016-06-30 — 2016-07-03 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Lowestoft, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | Milford Haven, United Kingdom |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Aims
1. To collect samples of demersal fish for chemical analysis from the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and Western English Channel in support of the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme (CSEMP). 2. To collect fish samples at CSEMP sites for fish disease biochemical markers (e.g. EROD and bile metabolites analysis). 3. To sample representative CSEMP stations using day grab, for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trace metal contaminants, organic contaminants (PCBs, PBDEs and HBCD), sediment particle size analysis (PSA), benthic fauna and marine litter. 4. To conduct marine litter surveys (MSFD Descriptor 10) by collecting benthic litter information from the trawls and also collecting sediment samples for litter analysis. 5. To undertake sediment sampling as part of the C6794 dredge spoil monitoring project at Rames Head and Lantic Bay. 6. To conduct surveys of marine animals (birds and cetaceans) and part of Marine Life UK programme. 7. To collect water conductivity, temperature and depth information, and Plankton community information to provide additional knowledge on Eutrophication levels (MSFD D5), as well as additional information on zooplankton community at the West Gabbard SmartBuoy site. 8. The recently completed draft assessment of eutrophication status under the OSPAR COMP has shown that there are very few data on the indicators for growing season (Mar-Oct) in chlorophyll and near-bed Dissolved Oxygen (June-Oct) for the western Channel and Celtic Sea, particularly in coastal waters (no data). It is a concern as the winter DIN levels in coastal waters exceed the threshold. For MSFD assessments, other member states have observed that there are very few data for the Eastern English Channel, which is also a concern. During this survey samples of chlorophyll (μg/l) and near-bed DO (mg/l) will be collected where possible in coastal waters (salinity <30) to deduce the lack of information. Additionally, we will collect and filter on board water samples for determination of chlorophyll and suspended particulate materials, that will be used for calibrating SmartBuoy, Ferrybox and ocean colour space-borne data. 9. To conduct 5 passive sampler transects to analyse samples for performance reference compounds (PRCs), PAHs, PCBs, OCPs and PBDEs in the water column using the Ferrybox water sampling system. 10. To collect triplicate plankton tows aiming to identify abundances of microplastics and plankton in as many unique settings as possible (usually one site per day). Plankton will also be depurated to look for plastic contamination in faecal pellets. Narrative in attached cruise report. |
| Chief scientist | Ernst E M Nicolaus (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Lowestoft Laboratory) |
| Cruise programme |  (0.84 MB) |
| Cruise report | (0.64 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | English Channel Irish Sea and St. George's Channel Celtic Sea |
| Specific | Western Channel and Celtic Deep |
