RRS Discovery DY080
Cruise summary report
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | RRS Discovery (74EQ) |
| Cruise identifier | DY080 |
| Cruise period | 2017-06-06 — 2017-07-01 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Southampton, United Kingdom |
| Port of return | St. John's, Canada |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. To estimate the distribution, abundance and behaviour of seabirds and cetaceans in the off-shelf study area, centred on the sub-polar front, south of the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ) and on transit to and from the ports of embarkation (Southampton, UK) to and disembarkation (St Johns, Newfoundland). 2. To map major frontal features and nutrient regimes within the off-shelf study area and along the survey track. 3. To refine non-lethal methods of sampling seabirds at sea. 4. To estimate the diet, stable isotope and contaminant loading, faecal nutrient and moult status of seabirds within the study areas, with particular focus on the cephalopod component of seabird diet. 5. To determine the comparative habitat use of great and sooty shearwaters on and off-shelf and the timing of their movements between these areas. 6. To estimate rates of primary production within the study area, phytoplankton community structure, the identity of the nutrients limiting productivity, and the effects of seabird faeces on phytoplankton growth. 7. To estimate the vertical distribution and biomass of mesopelagic nekton within the study areas. |
| Chief scientist | Ewan Wakefield (University of Glasgow Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine) |
| Cruise report |  (7.44 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | North Atlantic Ocean |
| Track charts | (0.05 MB) |
| Measurements | |
| Physical oceanography | |
| Surface measurements underway (T,S) | Quantity: track kilometres = 8580 Description: Surface water characteristics (temperature, conductivity, fluorescence and transmissivity) logged at 1 Hz via a continuous supply pumped from a hull inlet at 5.5m depth throughout the cruise. Data to be analysed by Igor Belkin, University of Rhode Island. |
| CTD stations | Quantity: number of stations = 28 Description: CTD casts using a SBE 9plus CTD mounted on a stainless rosette, providing vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, density, fluorescence, dissolved oxygen and transmissivity, from the surface to 500 m. Data to be analysed by Igor Belkin, University of Rhode Island. |
| Current profiler (eg ADCP) | Quantity: track kilometres = 8580 Description: 75kHz and 150kHz hull-mounted ADCP run throughout the cruise. Data to be analysed by Dr Igor Belkin, University of Rhode Island. |
| Chemical oceanography | |
| Phosphate | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Phosphate | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Total - P | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Total - P | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Nitrate | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Nitrate | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Nitrite | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Nitrite | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Total - N | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Total - N | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Silicate | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Silicate | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Trace elements | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Trace elements | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Other chemical oceanographic measurements | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Other chemical oceanographic measurements | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Biology and fisheries | |
| Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence) | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence) | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids) | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids) | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Phytoplankton | Quantity: number of stations = 106 Description: Surface (~2-3 m depth) seawater sampled using a trace-metal-clean towed-fish at each site to determine: Dissolved macronutrient concentrations (nitrate/phosphate/silicate), trace element concentrations, phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigment composition, chlorophyll-a concentrations, active fluorescence physiological measurements. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Phytoplankton | Quantity: number of stations = 7 Description: Seawater sampled at 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, 400m, and 500m using the CD rosette to determine: Dissolved inorganic macronutrients (nitrate/phosphate/silicate) and dissolved organic nutrients (nitrate, phosphate) from 20 to 500 m; and chlorophyll-a, FRRf, phytoplankton diagnostic pigments, flow cytometry cell counts, POC and biogenic silica from 20 to 150 m. Samples to be processed further at GEOMAR. |
| Zooplankton | Quantity: number of hauls = 17 Description: Zooplankton samples obtained by hauling a 200-?m-mesh net, mounted on a 0.5-m-diameter ring frame, equipped with a flow meter, from 200 m to the surface at dusk. Samples to be analysed by Vladimir Laptikhovsky, CEFAS. |
| Birds | Quantity: number of specimens = 48 Description: Seabirds (Fulmarus glacialis, Ardenna gravis, Oceanodroma leucorhoa) were caught and sampled using non-lethal methods, then released unharmed. Feathers, blood, faeces, stomach contents were sampled and morphometrics and moult scores recorded. Samples to be processed at the University of Glasgow and the University of Manitoba for stable isotope analysis, genetic sex determination and genetic studies on diet, and at GEOMAR for nutrient analysis. |
| Birds | Quantity: number of stations = 14 Description: Stationary visual point transect survey of seabirds during seabird capture sessions. Data to be analysed at the University of Glasgow. |
| Birds | Quantity: track kilometres = 5180 Description: Underway visual line transect survey of seabirds collected using Eastern Canadian Seabirds At Sea protocol. Data to be analysed at the University of Glasgow and Environment Canada. |
| Mammals and reptiles | Quantity: number of stations = 9 Description: Stationary visual point transect survey of cetaceans during seabird capture sessions. |
| Mammals and reptiles | Quantity: track kilometres = 3704 Description: Underway line transect survey of cetaceans conducted using single platform, visual, distanace-sampling methods . |
| Mammals and reptiles | Quantity: track kilometres = 8500 Description: Underway passive acoustic survey of cetaceans using a three element hydrophone array, towed 200m behind the vessel. |
| Acoustic reflection on marine organisms. | Quantity: track kilometres = 8580 Description: Simrad EK60 fish finder run throughout the cruise. Data to be analysed by Andrew Brierely, Scottish Oceans Institute. |
| Taggings | Quantity: number of specimens = 10 Description: Lotek PinPoint GPS ARGOS tags temporarily attached to freeranging great shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) caught on the Flemish Cap. Tags to provide 3 positions per day for ?2 months. Data to be analysed by Environment Canada and the University of Manitoba. |
| Meteorology | |
| Routine standard measurements | Quantity: track kilometres = 8580 Description: Surface metreaological conditions (relative wind speed and direction; air temperature, humidity and pressure; PAR; TIR) logged at 1 Hz throughout the cruise. |
| Geology and geophysics | |
| Single-beam echosounding | Quantity: track kilometres = 8580 Description: Kongsberg EA640 10kHz single beam echo-sounder data run throughout the cruise. |
| Multi-beam echosounding | Quantity: track kilometres = 8580 Description: Kongsberg EM122 deep water multi beam echo-sounder data run throughout the cruise. |
| Other geological/geophysical measurements | Quantity: number of stations = 3 Description: Sound velocity profile measured to 500 m using a MIDAS Valeport Sound Velocity Profiler mounted on the CTD rosette. |
