Celtic Explorer CE19007
Cruise plan
| Cruise Info. | |
| Ship name (ship code) | Celtic Explorer (45CE) |
| Cruise identifier | CE19007 |
| Cruise period | 2019-04-28 — 2019-05-12 |
| Status | Completed |
| Port of departure | Galway, Ireland |
| Port of return | Cork, Ireland |
| Purpose | Research |
| Objectives | Objectives
1. Acquire multi-spectral backscatter imagery from the range of available MBES operating frequencies optimised for backscatter analysis. 2. Acquire backscatter imagery over contrasting features including biogenic and non-biogenic reef, and associated features of geomorphological interest. 3. Collect new data to allow us to characterise the biophysical environment in the water column. 4. Acquire spatially and temporally relevant optical ground-truth data to examine fine-scale morphological complexity and epifaunal community structure using the best available technologies. 5. Examine sedimentary composition and infaunal community structure using grab samples. 6. Collect, process and analyse environmental DNA samples to explore use as a proxy for benthic biodiversity. 7. Collect a reference set of biogenic material from candidate sessile marine invertebrates with contrasting life histories. 8. Develop open-access reference collection of acoustic, optical, sedimentological, molecular and genetic data for researchers in marine and benthic mapping communities to utilise for future analytical approaches. |
| Chief scientist | Christopher McGonigle (University of Ulster School of Environmental Sciences) |
| NPRC |  (1.17 MB) |
| Ocean/sea areas | |
| General | Irish Sea and St. George's Channel North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W) |
| Specific | Malin Sea, Sea of the Hebrides, North Channel |
