Resources

RRS Discovery DY086 (COMICS)

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74EQ)
Cruise identifierDY086 (COMICS)
Cruise period2017-11-12 — 2017-12-19
StatusCompleted
Port of departureStanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Port of returnStanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThis is one of two cruises aimed at evaluating the controls over mesopelagic remineralisation depth. This is the depth to which material sinks when it leaves the surface ocean, a factor we know to be a critical control over climate. There are three serious hypotheses explaining what controls this depth; plankton community structure, temperature and oxygen concentrations. COMICS will test two of these; oxygen and community structure with this cruise exaimining the role of community structure; more precisely how the evolution of community structure over the course of the bloom affects sinking depth.

In order to evaluate this three long stations of about a week duration each were worked over a 1 mo period between mid Nov and mid Dec in the major plankton bloom which occurs NW of South Georgia. At each station surface community structure and a variety of metrics of downward particle flux were measured, together with estimates of the biomass and growth rates of the major taxonomic classes of organisms responsible for consuming sinking material. All operations were conducted in the vicinity of BAS station P3 (52 40 S, 40 06 W).
Chief scientistRichard Sanders (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)
ProjectControls over Ocean Mesopelagic Carbon Storage (COMICS)
Cruise reportRRS Discovery DY086 (COMICS) cruise report dy086.pdf (57.86 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralSouth West Atlantic Ocean (limit 20W)
SpecificSouth Georgia
Track chartsRRS Discovery DY086 (COMICS) cruise track — dy086trk.pdf (0.17 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Surface measurements underway (T,S)Quantity: activity duration in days = 40
Description: Underway Sampling
CTD stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Trace Metal CTD casts
CTD stationsQuantity: activity duration in days = 60
Description: Gliders
Transparency (eg transmissometer)Quantity: number of deployments = 30
Description: Red Camera Frame
Optics (eg underwater light levels)Quantity: number of deployments = 30
Description: Red Camera Frame
Current profiler (eg ADCP)Quantity: activity duration in days = 40
Description: Underway Sampling
Chemical oceanography 
OxygenQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Trace Metal CTD casts
Other dissolved gasesQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Trace Metal CTD casts
PhosphateQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Trace Metal CTD casts
NitrateQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Trace Metal CTD casts
AmmoniaQuantity: number of deployments = 100
Description: Marine Snow Catchers. Over 100 deployments
SilicateQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
AlkalinityQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
Other chemical oceanographic measurementsQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
Contamination 
Suspended matterQuantity: number of deployments = 100
Description: Marine Snow Catchers. Over 100 deployments
Suspended matterQuantity: number of deployments = 15
Description: Stand Alone Pumping Systems
Biology and fisheries 
Primary productivityQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of deployments = 100
Description: Marine Snow Catchers. Over 100 deployments
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: activity duration in days = 60
Description: Gliders
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)Quantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
Dissolved organic matter (inc DOC)Quantity: activity duration in days = 60
Description: Gliders
Dissolved organic matter (inc DOC)Quantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of deployments = 6
Description: MOCNESS Net
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of profiles = 15
Description: Stainless Steel CTD Casts
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of deployments = 25
Description: Bongo Net
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of deployments = 6
Description: Mammoth Net
NektonQuantity: number of deployments = 8
Description: RMT 25 NET
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
CTD stations52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 2 Gliders were continuously patrolling the work area, with the deployment period starting approx one month before, ane ending about 1 mo after, the cruise dates.
CTD stations52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 6 Argo Floats
Subsurface temperature and salinity measurements52° 42' 0" S  40° 6' 24" W — 7 Deployments of Drifting neutrally bouyant sediment traps
Transparency (eg transmissometer)52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 2 Gliders were continuously patrolling the work area, with the deployment period starting approx one month before, ane ending about 1 mo after, the cruise dates.
Surface drifters/drifting buoys52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 5" W — 3 Deployments of Drifting array of in situ respirometers
Neutrally buoyant floats52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 6 Argo Floats
Neutrally buoyant floats52° 42' 0" S  40° 6' 24" W — 7 Deployments of Drifting neutrally bouyant sediment traps
Chemical oceanography 
Oxygen52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 2 Gliders were continuously patrolling the work area, with the deployment period starting approx one month before, ane ending about 1 mo after, the cruise dates.
Oxygen52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 5" W — 3 Deployments of Drifting array of in situ respirometers
Oxygen52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 6 Argo Floats
pH52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 6 Argo Floats
Biology and fisheries 
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 2 Gliders were continuously patrolling the work area, with the deployment period starting approx one month before, ane ending about 1 mo after, the cruise dates.
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 24" W — 2 Gliders were continuously patrolling the work area, with the deployment period starting approx one month before, ane ending about 1 mo after, the cruise dates.
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 5" W — 3 Deployments of Drifting array of in situ respirometers
Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)52° 42' 0" S  40° 6' 24" W — 7 Deployments of Drifting neutrally bouyant sediment traps
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)52° 42' 0" S  40° 6' 24" W — 7 Deployments of Drifting neutrally bouyant sediment traps
Sediment traps52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 5" W — 3 Deployments of Drifting array of in situ respirometers
Sediment traps52° 42' 0" S  40° 6' 24" W — 7 Deployments of Drifting neutrally bouyant sediment traps
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
1  Acoustic doppler current profiler
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Vertical spatial coordinates
Horizontal platform movement
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Vertical spatial coordinates
Horizontal platform movement
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
20120702017-11-13 01:05:42  — 2017-12-18 18:50:06 51° 41' 49" S  57° 8' 28" W — 51° 40' 13" S  57° 49' 56" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2012070
49  Bottle station
Reference numbers
Vertical spatial coordinates
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
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Reference numbers
Vertical spatial coordinates
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
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
19212332017-12-05 05:34 52° 19' 36" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921233
19214542017-12-15 08:42 52° 57' 0" S  39° 42' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921454
19212692017-11-29 15:24 52° 41' 25" S  40° 7' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921269
19213132017-11-16 05:29 52° 41' 23" S  40° 7' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921313
19213252017-11-17 06:10 52° 43' 30" S  40° 9' 11" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921325
19213372017-11-18 05:05 52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921337
19213862017-12-02 21:52 52° 15' 4" S  40° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921386
19212452017-12-10 05:39 52° 19' 23" S  40° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921245
19228752017-12-09 16:29 52° 19' 41" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1922875
19211772017-11-24 04:29 56° 23' 59" S  41° 13' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921177
19212702017-12-05 12:26 52° 19' 36" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921270
19212942017-12-11 12:24 52° 14' 17" S  40° 43' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921294
19213492017-11-21 14:30 52° 42' 5" S  40° 8' 23" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921349
19213502017-11-23 05:27 53° 58' 5" S  41° 2' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921350
19214172017-12-05 05:34 52° 19' 36" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921417
19652242017-11-18 05:05 52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965224
19651932017-11-15 17:41 52° 42' 29" S  40° 6' 17" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965193
19653162017-12-10 05:39 52° 19' 23" S  40° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965316
19652002017-11-16 05:29 52° 41' 23" S  40° 7' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965200
19652122017-11-17 06:10 52° 43' 30" S  40° 9' 11" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965212
19652972017-12-03 06:17 52° 3' 6" S  40° 46' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965297
19211532017-11-21 05:55 52° 43' 54" S  40° 13' 5" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921153
19212082017-12-03 06:17 52° 3' 6" S  40° 46' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921208
19212212017-12-04 09:38 52° 20' 39" S  40° 41' 15" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921221
19213982017-12-03 06:17 52° 3' 6" S  40° 46' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921398
19652362017-11-21 05:55 52° 43' 54" S  40° 13' 5" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965236
19212572017-12-12 04:41 52° 15' 18" S  40° 42' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921257
19212822017-12-09 16:29 52° 19' 41" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921282
19213622017-11-24 04:29 56° 23' 59" S  41° 13' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921362
19214292017-12-10 05:39 52° 19' 23" S  40° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921429
19652612017-11-23 05:27 53° 58' 5" S  41° 2' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965261
19652732017-11-24 04:29 56° 23' 59" S  41° 13' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965273
19652852017-11-30 07:33 52° 42' 36" S  40° 4' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965285
19653042017-12-05 05:34 52° 19' 36" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965304
19653282017-12-12 04:41 52° 15' 18" S  40° 42' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965328
19211412017-11-18 05:05 52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921141
19213012017-11-15 17:41 52° 42' 29" S  40° 6' 17" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921301
19213742017-11-30 07:33 52° 42' 36" S  40° 4' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921374
19214052017-12-04 09:38 52° 20' 39" S  40° 41' 15" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921405
19214302017-12-11 08:20 52° 14' 17" S  40° 43' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921430
19652482017-11-21 14:30 52° 42' 5" S  40° 8' 23" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1965248
19211652017-11-23 05:27 53° 58' 5" S  41° 2' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921165
19211892017-11-30 07:33 52° 42' 36" S  40° 4' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921189
19211902017-12-02 21:52 52° 15' 4" S  40° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921190
19214422017-12-12 04:41 52° 15' 18" S  40° 42' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921442
19228872017-12-11 12:24 52° 14' 17" S  40° 43' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1922887
19211042017-11-15 17:41 52° 42' 29" S  40° 6' 17" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921104
19211162017-11-16 05:29 52° 41' 23" S  40° 7' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921116
19211282017-11-17 06:10 52° 43' 30" S  40° 9' 11" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1921128
33  CTD/STD cast
Reference numbers
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Salinity of the water column
Density of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Reference numbers
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Salinity of the water column
Density of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
18996982017-11-27 12:33:49 54° 4' 54" S  36° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899698
18997052017-11-29 14:28:23 52° 41' 25" S  40° 7' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899705
18997912017-12-05 04:52:23 52° 19' 36" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899791
18998092017-12-05 11:40:12 52° 19' 36" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899809
18997662017-12-03 05:40:52 52° 3' 6" S  40° 46' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899766
18997782017-12-04 07:57:21 52° 20' 39" S  40° 41' 15" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899778
18998342017-12-10 05:00:16 52° 19' 23" S  40° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899834
18998832017-12-12 04:01:04 52° 15' 18" S  40° 42' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899883
18996622017-11-23 04:55:20 53° 58' 5" S  41° 2' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899662
18998222017-12-09 15:43:06 52° 19' 41" S  40° 43' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899822
18998582017-12-11 11:33:20 52° 14' 17" S  40° 43' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899858
18996012017-11-17 05:21:18 52° 43' 30" S  40° 9' 11" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899601
18996132017-11-18 04:34:30 52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 12" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899613
18996492017-11-21 05:21:16 52° 43' 54" S  40° 13' 5" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899649
18998462017-12-11 07:33:26 52° 14' 17" S  40° 43' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899846
18995692017-11-14 18:12:36 52° 29' 30" S  43° 46' 59" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899569
18995702017-11-15 16:32:37 52° 42' 29" S  40° 6' 17" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899570
18995942017-11-16 12:05:33 52° 41' 23" S  40° 7' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899594
18996372017-11-18 16:06:32 52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 5" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899637
18997172017-11-30 06:55:51 52° 42' 36" S  40° 4' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899717
18997302017-12-01 09:37:05 52° 42' 17" S  40° 6' 11" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899730
18998102017-12-06 07:01:40 53° 2' 30" S  41° 57' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899810
18998712017-12-11 23:47:40 52° 24' 42" S  40° 45' 21" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899871
18999022017-12-15 07:08:51 52° 57' 0" S  39° 42' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899902
18996502017-11-21 13:45:45 52° 42' 5" S  40° 8' 23" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899650
18997292017-11-30 10:07:14 52° 42' 31" S  40° 4' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899729
18997422017-12-02 12:55:56 52° 15' 10" S  40° 41' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899742
18996862017-11-25 13:35:18 56° 37' 59" S  40° 55' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899686
18998952017-12-15 06:15:18 52° 57' 0" S  39° 42' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899895
18995822017-11-16 04:55:38 52° 41' 23" S  40° 7' 30" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899582
18996252017-11-18 11:35:34 52° 41' 53" S  40° 10' 5" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899625
18996742017-11-24 03:58:34 56° 23' 59" S  41° 13' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899674
18997542017-12-02 21:17:22 52° 15' 4" S  40° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1899754
1  Meteorological data logger
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Air pressure
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the atmosphere
Date and time
Air temperature
Raw light meter output
Wind strength and direction
Solar Radiation
Atmospheric humidity
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Air pressure
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the atmosphere
Date and time
Air temperature
Raw light meter output
Wind strength and direction
Solar Radiation
Atmospheric humidity

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
19649152017-11-12 22:45  — 2017-12-16 00:00 56° 38' 46" S  57° 47' 59" W — 51° 39' 35" S  35° 25' 53" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1964915
1  Multiple instrument types
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Raw fluorometer output
Metadata parameters
Raw suspended particulate material concentration sensor output
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Raw fluorometer output
Metadata parameters
Raw suspended particulate material concentration sensor output
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
19649272017-11-12 22:45  — 2017-12-16 00:00 56° 38' 46" S  57° 47' 59" W — 51° 39' 35" S  35° 25' 53" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1964927
1  Pumped water sample
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
20535482017-11-13 15:27  — 2017-12-15 04:49 56° 38' 46" S  52° 25' 12" W — 51° 58' 55" S  39° 40' 19" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2053548
1  Single-beam echosounder
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal platform movement
Bathymetry and Elevation
Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal platform movement
Bathymetry and Elevation

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
19649032017-11-12 22:45  — 2017-12-16 00:00 56° 38' 46" S  57° 47' 59" W — 51° 39' 35" S  35° 25' 53" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1964903
Discrete samples 
3  Autonomous Underwater Vehicle deployment
25  CTD frame plus rosette sampler
42  Drifting rig with sediment traps
128  Marine snow catcher
26  Optical instruments
7  RMT multiple zooplankton net tow
36  Sample taken from ship's non-toxic supply
5  Stand-alone pumps
31  Twin WP-2 net mounted on a frame
15  Unspecified zooplankton net or nets
8