Resources

RRS Discovery DY077

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74EQ)
Cruise identifierDY077
Cruise period2017-04-14 — 2017-05-01
StatusCompleted
Port of departureSouthampton, United Kingdom
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 Porcupine Abyssal Plain Sustained 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 comparing methods of drifting sediment traps and collection of 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 sampling of the abyssal plain seabed and its fauna via coring, trawling, and baited traps, and left in place a time-lapse camera system for extended (1-year) seafloor observation.
Chief scientistRichard Stephen Lampitt (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)
ProjectPorcupine Abyssal Plain deep ocean observatory
Coordinating bodyNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Cruise reportRRS Discovery DY077 cruise report dy077.pdf (11.20 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificPorcupine Abyssal Plain
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
CTD stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 23
Description: CTD measurements of pressure, salinity, temperature, oxygen, chlorophyll, plus water samples from some CTDs for chlorophyll, oxygen, salinity, DIC and Ammonia
Biology and fisheries 
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of stations = 10
Description: Snowcatcher water samples analysed for particle size and sinking speed
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of stations = 2
Description: In situ in-line Hologram water column profiles, (0-250m); Biogeochemical analysis
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of stations = 3
Description: SAPS microplastics, ammonium, POC PA
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of stations = 5
Description: WP2, plankton net, 200µm, to 200m, 3 x midnight, 3 x noon
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of stations = 10
Description: Multiple sediment cores for various analyses
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos
Demersal fishQuantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos
MolluscsQuantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos
CrustaceansQuantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of stations = 3
Description: SAPS microplastics, ammonium, POC PA
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Optics (eg underwater light levels)49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Optics (eg underwater light levels)49° 2' 9" N  16° 20' 21" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Current meters49° 0' 27" N  16° 29' 35" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Recovery
Current meters49° 0' 18" N  16° 27' 53" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Deployment
Surface drifters/drifting buoys49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 22" W — NBST tethered traps
Neutrally buoyant floats48° 58' 0" N  16° 21' 0" W — PELAGRA traps
Neutrally buoyant floats49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 21" W — Marine Snow Catcher
Chemical oceanography 
Oxygen49° 0' 18" N  16° 27' 53" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Deployment
Oxygen49° 0' 27" N  16° 29' 35" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Recovery
Oxygen49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Oxygen49° 2' 9" N  16° 20' 21" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Carbon dioxide49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Carbon dioxide49° 2' 9" N  16° 20' 21" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Nitrate49° 2' 9" N  16° 20' 21" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Nitrate49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
pH49° 2' 9" N  16° 20' 21" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
pH49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Biology and fisheries 
Primary productivity49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Primary productivity49° 2' 9" N  16° 20' 21" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Sediment traps49° 0' 27" N  16° 29' 35" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Recovery
Sediment traps49° 0' 18" N  16° 27' 53" W — PAP3 deepwater sediment traps Deployment
Sediment traps48° 58' 0" N  16° 21' 0" W — PELAGRA traps
Sediment traps49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 21" W — Marine Snow Catcher
Sediment traps49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 22" W — NBST tethered traps
Zooplankton49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment
Zooplankton49° 2' 9" N  16° 20' 21" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery
Zoobenthos49° 0' 23" N  16° 23' 52" W — Time-lapse camera deployment
Zoobenthos49° 0' 0" N  16° 25' 10" W — 2 x amphipod trap deployment recovery
Crustaceans49° 0' 0" N  16° 25' 10" W — 2 x amphipod trap deployment recovery
Geology and geophysics 
Bottom photography49° 0' 23" N  16° 23' 52" W — Time-lapse camera deployment
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
7  Bottle station
Reference numbers
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Quality control flags
Reference numbers
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Quality control flags

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18743792017-04-19 12:47 48° 57' 8" N  16° 25' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1874379
18743672017-04-19 09:18 48° 59' 37" N  16° 19' 29" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1874367
18744112017-04-25 15:06 48° 59' 19" N  16° 23' 43" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1874411
18743552017-04-17 02:51 49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 22" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1874355
18743802017-04-21 00:03 48° 58' 7" N  16° 28' 4" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1874380
18743922017-04-22 16:49 48° 50' 8" N  16° 31' 16" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1874392
18743432017-04-16 20:52 49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 22" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1874343
22  CTD/STD cast
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Optical backscatter
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Optical backscatter
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18167882017-04-21 05:22:42 49° 7' 3" N  16° 37' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816788
18168562017-04-24 15:47:48 48° 56' 20" N  16° 15' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816856
18167522017-04-19 12:22:32 48° 57' 10" N  16° 25' 55" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816752
18169122017-04-26 14:56:15 48° 54' 52" N  16° 42' 8" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816912
18168932017-04-25 14:22:04 48° 59' 19" N  16° 23' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816893
18169002017-04-26 12:01:42 48° 52' 4" N  16° 35' 10" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816900
18168202017-04-22 16:26:24 48° 50' 8" N  16° 31' 16" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816820
18168682017-04-24 17:46:43 48° 59' 47" N  16° 22' 5" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816868
18167272017-04-16 22:27:48 49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 22" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816727
18167392017-04-17 00:34:20 49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 22" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816739
18167402017-04-19 09:02:33 48° 59' 37" N  16° 19' 28" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816740
18167642017-04-19 15:19:37 49° 1' 32" N  16° 25' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816764
18168192017-04-21 12:35:53 49° 12' 3" N  16° 34' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816819
18168812017-04-24 19:37:50 48° 54' 23" N  16° 23' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816881
18167762017-04-20 22:11:06 48° 58' 7" N  16° 28' 4" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816776
18169362017-04-28 08:48:32 48° 47' 7" N  16° 46' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816936
18168442017-04-24 12:39:51 48° 56' 20" N  16° 15' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816844
18169242017-04-26 18:01:17 48° 49' 31" N  16° 42' 17" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816924
18167152017-04-16 20:39:35 49° 3' 15" N  16° 20' 22" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816715
18168072017-04-21 08:55:29 49° 11' 17" N  16° 42' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816807
18168322017-04-23 12:04:31 49° 0' 23" N  16° 23' 51" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816832
18169482017-04-28 10:57:32 48° 44' 55" N  16° 40' 29" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1816948
1  Fluorometers
Reference numbers
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Reference numbers
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
19228512017-04-18 16:11:27  — 2018-05-23 12:51:26 49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1922851
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.
19228632017-04-18 00:20:25  — 2017-05-15 02:41:39 49° 2' 49" N  16° 18' 4" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1922863
1  Meteorological data logger
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the atmosphere
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Air pressure
Date and time
Air temperature
Wind strength and direction
Raw light meter output
Solar Radiation
Atmospheric humidity
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the atmosphere
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Air pressure
Date and time
Air temperature
Wind strength and direction
Raw light meter output
Solar Radiation
Atmospheric humidity

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18368082017-04-14 08:33  — 2017-05-01 07:08 48° 40' 23" N  16° 56' 48" W — 50° 53' 30" N  1° 17' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1836808
1  Multiple instrument types
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Metadata parameters
Raw suspended particulate material concentration sensor output
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Raw fluorometer output
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Metadata parameters
Raw suspended particulate material concentration sensor output
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Raw fluorometer output
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18368212017-04-14 08:33  — 2017-05-01 07:08 48° 40' 23" N  16° 56' 48" W — 50° 53' 30" N  1° 17' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1836821
1  Single-beam echosounder
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal platform movement
Bathymetry and Elevation
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal platform movement
Bathymetry and Elevation

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18367902017-04-14 08:33  — 2017-05-01 07:08 48° 40' 23" N  16° 56' 48" W — 50° 53' 30" N  1° 17' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1836790
Discrete samples 
22  CTD frame plus rosette samplerSalinity of the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
2  Instrument mooring