RRS Discovery DY103

Cruise summary report

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Cruise Info.

Ship name (ship code)

RRS Discovery (74EQ)

Cruise identifier

DY103

Cruise period

2019-06-21 — 2019-07-09

Status

Completed

Port of departure

Southampton, United Kingdom

Port of return

Southampton, United Kingdom

Purpose

Research

Objectives

To study the 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 (30 km). The site has been under examination since 1985 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 of 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 the abundance and distribution of seafloor life in relation to incoming food flux. These investigations were carried out using a multi-instrument observational approach combined with direct sampling. 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. In addition, we deployed an ADCP and sediment trap mooring in a central branch of Whittard Canyon on behalf of a partner NOC NERC-funded CLASS project component (NOC lead Drs V. Huvenne & M. Clare).

Chief scientist

Susan E Hartman (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)

Project

Porcupine Abyssal Plain deep ocean observatory

Coordinating body

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Cruise report

(13.05 MB)

Ocean/sea areas

General

North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)

Specific

Porcupine Abyssal Plain, Whittard Canyon.

Track charts

(0.18 MB)

Measurements

Physical oceanography

CTD stations

Quantity: number of profiles = 12
Description: CTD measurements of pressure, salinity, temperature, oxygen, chlorophyll, plus water samples from some CTDs for chlorophyll, oxygen, salinity, DIC and pH

Biology and fisheries

Particulate organic matter (inc POC, PON)

Quantity: number of stations = 4
Description: HyBIS towed camera, seafloor photography

Zooplankton

Quantity: number of stations = 6
Description: WP2, plankton net, 200 µm, to 200 m, 3 x midnight, 3 x noon

Zoobenthos

Quantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos

Zoobenthos

Quantity: number of stations = 8
Description: Megacore sediment samples for various analyses

Demersal fish

Quantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos

Molluscs

Quantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos

Crustaceans

Quantity: number of hauls = 2
Description: Otter trawl samples of megabenthos

Moorings, landers, buoys

Physical oceanography

Optics (eg underwater light levels)

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery

Optics (eg underwater light levels)

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment

Current meters

49° 1' 0" N 16° 30' 0" W — PAP3 deep-water sediment traps Recovery

Current meters

48° 58' 0" N 16° 28' 0" W — PAP3 deep-water sediment traps Deployment

Current profiler (eg ADCP)

48° 37' 59" N 10° 0' 0" W — ADCPs and sediment trap

Chemical oceanography

Oxygen

49° 1' 0" N 16° 30' 0" W — PAP3 deep-water sediment traps Recovery

Oxygen

48° 58' 0" N 16° 28' 0" W — PAP3 deep-water sediment traps Deployment

Oxygen

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery

Oxygen

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment

Carbon dioxide

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment

Carbon dioxide

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery

Nitrate

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery

Nitrate

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment

Contamination

Other contaminant measurements

48° 37' 59" N 10° 0' 0" W — ADCPs and sediment trap

Biology and fisheries

Primary productivity

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery

Primary productivity

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment

Sediment traps

48° 58' 0" N 16° 28' 0" W — PAP3 deep-water sediment traps Deployment

Sediment traps

49° 1' 0" N 16° 30' 0" W — PAP3 deep-water sediment traps Recovery

Sediment traps

48° 37' 59" N 10° 0' 0" W — ADCPs and sediment trap

Zooplankton

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Recovery

Zooplankton

48° 58' 0" N 16° 22' 0" W — PAP1 Longterm Observatory Deployment

Zoobenthos

48° 57' 0" N 16° 28' 59" W — 2 x amphipod trap deployment / recovery

Zoobenthos

49° 0' 0" N 16° 26' 59" W — Time-lapse camera deployment

Crustaceans

48° 57' 0" N 16° 28' 59" W — 2 x amphipod trap deployment / recovery

Geology and geophysics

Bottom photography

49° 0' 0" N 16° 26' 59" W — Time-lapse camera deployment

Data held at BODC

Get data

Series/Profiles

2 Acoustic current meter

Moored instrument depth
Reference numbers
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Platform or instrument orientation
Vertical velocity of the water column (currents)
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Sea level

[Show series]

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2027831	2019-06-30 12:00 — 2020-11-19 12:00	48° 34' 49" N 16° 16' 34" W
2027818	2019-06-30 12:00 — 2020-11-19 12:00	48° 34' 49" N 16° 16' 34" W

35 Bottle station

Reference numbers
Total dissolved inorganic carbon (TCO2) concentration in the water column
Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Quality control flags
Alkalinity, acidity and pH of the water column

[Show series]

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location
1989693	2019-07-04 08:28	48° 59' 59" N 16° 30' 1" W
2001625	2019-06-23 14:15	49° 8' 16" N 13° 3' 1" W
2001649	2019-06-25 14:59	48° 58' 18" N 16° 22' 21" W
2001730	2019-07-05 13:02	49° 0' 0" N 16° 29' 59" W
1989644	2019-06-30 13:00	49° 2' 17" N 16° 31' 48" W
1989681	2019-07-03 15:16	48° 57' 41" N 16° 22' 27" W
2001705	2019-07-03 15:16	48° 57' 41" N 16° 22' 27" W
2001729	2019-07-05 10:01	48° 57' 41" N 16° 23' 58" W
1989620	2019-06-25 14:59	48° 58' 18" N 16° 22' 21" W
1989712	2019-07-05 13:02	49° 0' 0" N 16° 29' 59" W
2001637	2019-06-24 05:27	49° 0' 0" N 16° 30' 1" W
2004205	2019-07-05 10:01	48° 57' 41" N 16° 23' 58" W
2004137	2019-06-29 16:17	48° 56' 34" N 16° 29' 10" W
2004162	2019-07-01 14:35	48° 59' 59" N 16° 29' 59" W
2004150	2019-07-01 13:22	48° 56' 36" N 16° 29' 23" W
2004113	2019-06-24 05:27	49° 0' 0" N 16° 30' 1" W
2004198	2019-07-04 08:28	48° 59' 59" N 16° 30' 1" W
2004217	2019-07-05 13:02	49° 0' 0" N 16° 29' 59" W
1989656	2019-07-01 13:22	48° 56' 36" N 16° 29' 23" W
1989700	2019-07-05 10:01	48° 57' 41" N 16° 23' 58" W
2001662	2019-06-30 13:00	49° 2' 17" N 16° 31' 48" W
2001674	2019-07-01 13:22	48° 56' 36" N 16° 29' 23" W
2001650	2019-06-29 16:17	48° 56' 34" N 16° 29' 10" W
2001686	2019-07-01 14:35	48° 59' 59" N 16° 29' 59" W
2001717	2019-07-04 08:28	48° 59' 59" N 16° 30' 1" W
2004101	2019-06-23 14:15	49° 8' 16" N 13° 3' 1" W
1989607	2019-06-23 14:15	49° 8' 16" N 13° 3' 1" W
1989619	2019-06-24 05:27	49° 0' 0" N 16° 30' 1" W
1989632	2019-06-29 16:17	48° 56' 34" N 16° 29' 10" W
2001698	2019-07-02 09:58	48° 59' 59" N 16° 30' 3" W
2004174	2019-07-02 09:58	48° 59' 59" N 16° 30' 3" W
1989668	2019-07-01 14:35	48° 59' 59" N 16° 29' 59" W
2004125	2019-06-25 14:59	48° 58' 18" N 16° 22' 21" W
2004149	2019-06-30 13:00	49° 2' 17" N 16° 31' 48" W
2004186	2019-07-03 15:16	48° 57' 41" N 16° 22' 27" W

1 In-situ dissolved gas analyser

Reference numbers
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Dissolved concentration parameters for other gases in the water column

[Show series]

Reference numbers
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Dissolved concentration parameters for other gases in the water column

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2073248	2019-07-03 15:01:57 — 2019-08-31 00:02:14	48° 57' 56" N 16° 22' 8" W

1 In-situ nutrient analyser

Reference numbers
Date and time
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column

[Show series]

Reference numbers
Date and time
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2143383	2019-07-04 00:20:02 — 2019-08-30 00:20:35	48° 57' 56" N 16° 22' 8" W

1 Meteorological data logger

Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Air pressure
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the atmosphere
Date and time
Wind strength and direction
Raw light meter output
Air temperature
Solar Radiation
Atmospheric humidity

[Show series]

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2046982	2019-06-21 15:38 — 2019-07-09 17:33	48° 35' 2" N 17° 1' 38" W — 51° 50' 26" N 1° 16' 58" W

2 Moored CTD

Reference numbers
Sound velocity and travel time in the water column
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Temperature of the water column
Density of the water column
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Sea level

[Show series]

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2026919	2019-07-03 15:15 — 2020-11-05 08:30	48° 57' 56" N 16° 22' 8" W
2026907	2019-07-03 15:00:01 — 2020-11-05 08:30:06	48° 57' 56" N 16° 22' 8" W

2 Multiple instrument types

Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Temperature of the water column
Raw fluorometer output
Electrical conductivity of the water column
Metadata parameters
Raw suspended particulate material concentration sensor output
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

[Show series]

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2046994	2019-06-21 15:38 — 2019-07-09 17:33	48° 35' 2" N 17° 1' 38" W — 51° 50' 26" N 1° 16' 58" W
2073261	2019-07-03 15:30 — 2019-08-29 21:30	48° 57' 56" N 16° 22' 8" W

1 Pumped water sample

Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

[Show series]

Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2052103	2019-06-22 15:30 — 2019-06-30 14:40	48° 49' 53" N 16° 31' 48" W — 51° 47' 17" N 7° 26' 59" W

1 Single-beam echosounder

Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal platform movement
Bathymetry and Elevation

[Show series]

Reference numbers
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal platform movement
Bathymetry and Elevation

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2046970	2019-06-21 15:38 — 2019-07-09 17:33	48° 35' 2" N 17° 1' 38" W — 51° 50' 26" N 1° 16' 58" W

1 radiometers

Reference numbers
Date and time
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column

[Show series]

Reference numbers
Date and time
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column

[Hide series]

BODC id	Date/Time	Location	Doc.
2052115	2019-07-03 14:47:05 — 2019-09-25 20:48:24	48° 57' 56" N 16° 22' 8" W

Discrete samples

12 CTD frame plus rosette sampler

3 Instrument mooring

29 Sample taken from ship's non-toxic supply

Resources

RRS Discovery DY103

Cruise summary report

Quick links

BODC holdings

EDMED