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RRS Challenger CH7/78

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Challenger (74CH)
Cruise identifierCH7/78
Cruise period1978-04-24 — 1978-05-09
StatusCompleted
Port of departureMallaig, United Kingdom
Port of returnBarry, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1. To sample the demersal fish populations on the SMBA seasonal transect on the Hebridean Terrace using the large Granton trawl and the single warp trawl.
2. To compare the catch rates of the large Granton trawl and the single warp trawl on the upper slope.
3. To use the single warp trawl at 3000m close to the SMBA seasonal station.
4. To sample the upper slope on the IOS transect in the Porcupine Bight with the large bottom trawl and to occupy deeper stations with the single warp trawl.
5. To study biochemistry of the lipid foam in the swimbladders of deep-sea macrourid fish.
6. To obtain bacteriological samples from the intestines of deep-sea fish.
7. To obtain samples of fish for a histological study of the melano-macrophage centres of teleosts.
8. To collect further material for a study of the dermatology of teleosts.
9. To collect deep frozen squid for Dr Clarke M.B.A and Dr. Early, Torry Research Laboratories, Aberdeen.
10. To test a new 12-core adaptation of the previously 4-core multiple corer.
11. To take multiple core samples at the SMBA 158m Shelf Station, the SMBA 3000m seasonal station in the Rockall Trough, the SMBA 5000m station on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (not achieved due to lost ship time), and the IOS Porcupine Seabight stations at 2000m and 4000m.
12. To take multiple core samples at these stations for studies by Dr. Patching of the sediment total biomass (by ATP determination), the sediment bacterial biomass (by muriamic acid determination) and the concentrations of ammonia and other inorganic nutrients in sediments and overlying water.
13. To release drift bottles for the Department of Oceanography, Galway.
Chief scientistJohn D M Gordon (Scottish Marine Biological Association)
Cruise reportRRS Challenger CH7/78 cruise report ch7_78.pdf (0.33 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
Track chartsRRS Challenger CH7/78 cruise track — trk2732.html
Measurements 
Biology and fisheries 
Benthic bacteria/micro-organismsQuantity: number of stations = 7
Description: biological cores
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of hauls = 14
Demersal fishQuantity: number of hauls = 14
Description: survey: taxonomy, energy transfers, biomass transfers etc.
Exploratory fishingQuantity: number of hauls = 14
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of deployments = 7
Description: bottom photographs