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RRS James Cook JC278

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS James Cook (740H)
Cruise identifierJC278
Cruise period2025-05-30 — 2025-06-23
StatusCompleted
Port of departureSouthampton, United Kingdom
Port of returnSouthampton, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThe primary aim of RRS James Cook Cruise 278 (JC278) was to study multidecadal change in the NE Atlantic by continuing long-term observations at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain Sustained Observatory (PAP-SO) and Whittard Canyon. Both sites are part of the Natural Environment Research Council's "AtlantiS" National Capability project that is managed by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - https://noc.ac.uk/projects/atlantic-climate-environment-strategic-science. The cruise also aimed to demonstrate a range of innovative sensors and platforms to observe carbonate chemistry through the water column to the seabed as part of the Next Generation Multiplatform Ocean Observing Technologies for Research Infrastructures (GEORGE) Project. Additional aims included deployment of moorings in the Canyons MCZ ahead of other research cruises later in 2025 Processes drIving Submarine Canyon fluxES (PISCES).

Specific objectives of JC278 were:
- Mooring turnaround and CTDs at Whittard Canyon and Canyons MCZ
- Underway data collection including addition of IFCB instrument
- Met Office / NOC atmospheric and upper ocean autonomous mooring turnaround ("PAP1")
- CTD profiles and sampling
- Argo deployment x 2
- Glider deployments and validation with CTD casts and underway drift surveys.
- EMSO Generic Instrument Module deployment
- PAP sediment trap mooring turnaround (“PAP3”)
- Benthic sampling and ex situ experiments (Megacorer)
- Time series benthic imaging survey (HyBIS)
- Seabed time-lapse photography (Bathysnap)
- Baited trap experiments
- Trials of benthic chamber lander

RRS James Cook departed Southampton 30th May 2025 on JC278 to Porcupine Abyssal Plain Sustained Observatory via the Canyons MCZ and Whittard Canyon Eastern Branch. The first stop was a shallow test CTD in the Channel. On arrival at the Canyons MCZ on 01/06/2025 a CTD and camera survey were carried out on the interfluve, before two physical oceanography moorings and a hydrophone lander were deployed. Two further camera surveys were completed overnight before moving to the Eastern Branch of Whittard Canyon in the Irish EEZ for a CTD and turnaround of a long-running mooring. Work in the Whttard Canyon area was completed on 3rd June. On arrival at PAP-SO a programme of operations started with a Megacore deployment (05/06/2025). A schedule of moorings operations, CTDs and glider deployments by day and core sampling at night continued until a transit to Falmouth was required. On arrival back at PAP-SO (11/06/2025) the weather was perfect for deployment of the large Met Office ODAS buoy. The schedule returned to CTD’s moorings and glider work during day shifts and photographic seabed survey work at night until the end of scientific operations at midnight 20/06/2025. Transit back to Southampton was direct, arriving back alongside the National Oceanography Centre at 08:30 23/06/2025.
Chief scientistAndrew R Gates (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton)
ProjectAtlantiS; GEORGE
Coordinating bodyNational Oceanography Centre (NOC); Integrated Carbon Observing System (ICOS)
Cruise reportRRS James Cook JC278 cruise report jc278.pdf (23.52 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralCeltic Sea
North East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificWhittard Canyon, Porcupine Abyssal Plain
Track chartsRRS James Cook JC278 cruise track — jc278trk.pdf (0.11 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 2
Description: CTD profiles at the Canyons MCZ. Includes release tests for mooring deployments and water bottle samples. Sensor measurements for of pressure, salinity, temperature, oxygen, chlorophyll, plus water samples from some CTDs for chlorophyll, nutrients, oxygen, salinity, DIC & TA.
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 15
Description: CTD profiles at PAP site. Includes release tests for mooring deployments, Argo float validation, mooring sensor validation and water bottle samples. Sensor measurements for of pressure, salinity, temperature, oxygen, chlorophyll, plus water samples from some CTDs for chlorophyll, nutrients, oxygen, salinity, DIC & TA.
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 1
Description: CTD profiles at the Eastern Branch of Whittard Canyon. Includes release tests for mooring deployments and water bottle samples. Sensor measurements for of pressure, salinity, temperature, oxygen, chlorophyll, plus water samples from some CTDs for chlorophyll, nutrients, oxygen, salinity, DIC & TA.
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 1
Description: Test CTD profile and water sampling in the Channel
Subsurface temperature and salinity measurementsQuantity: activity duration in days = 24
Description: Underway surface water intake measurements for the duration of the cruise.
Chemical oceanography 
Carbon dioxideQuantity: activity duration in days = 24
Description: Underway surface water intake measurements for the duration of the cruise.
Biology and fisheries 
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of stations = 8
Description: Macrobenthos samples collected by Megacorer at PAP-SO
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of stations = 4
Description: Imaging survey of the seafloor at PAP-SO
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of stations = 3
Description: Imaging survey of the seafloor at Canyons MCZ.
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Current meters48° 58' 20" N  16° 29' 21" W — 06/06/2024 - Deployment of PAP-SO sediment trap mooring array. Comprises 3 x sediment trap, 1 x passive acoustic sensor, 1 x current meters and 2 x CTD.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)48° 37' 0" N  9° 59' 25" W — 02/06/2025 Deployed a mooring with an Anderson sediment trap, 2 ADCPs and in situ CTD and passive acoustics sensor at the Whittard Canyon in Canyons MCZ. Mooring has no surface expression.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)48° 26' 53" N  9° 41' 9" W — 01/06/2025 Deployed a mooring ADCPs, in situ CTDs, current meters, passive acoustics sensor and turbidity sensor at the Canyons MCZ. Mooring had no surface expression.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)48° 21' 24" N  9° 32' 36" W — 01/06/2025 Deployed a mooring ADCPs, in situ CTDs, current meters and turbidity sensor at the Canyons MCZ. Mooring had no surface expression.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)48° 37' 29" N  10° 0' 7" W — 03/06/2025 Recovered a mooring with an Anderson sediment trap, 2 ADCPs and in situ CTD at the Whittard Canyon in Irish EEZ. Mooring has no surface expression.
Current profiler (eg ADCP)48° 23' 2" N  9° 44' 24" W — 01/06/2025 Hydropphone lander. Passive acoustics sensor. Mooring has no surface expression.
Other physical oceanographic measurements48° 26' 53" N  9° 41' 9" W — 01/06/2025 Deployed a mooring ADCPs, in situ CTDs, current meters, passive acoustics sensor and turbidity sensor at the Canyons MCZ. Mooring had no surface expression.
Other physical oceanographic measurements48° 21' 24" N  9° 32' 36" W — 01/06/2025 Deployed a mooring ADCPs, in situ CTDs, current meters and turbidity sensor at the Canyons MCZ. Mooring had no surface expression.
Other physical oceanographic measurements48° 50' 29" N  16° 31' 8" W — 13/06/2025 - deployment of a biogeochemistry Argo float.
Other physical oceanographic measurements48° 55' 13" N  16° 25' 6" W — 05/06/2025 - deployment of a biogeochemistry Argo float.
Chemical oceanography 
Oxygen48° 50' 29" N  16° 31' 8" W — 13/06/2025 - deployment of a biogeochemistry Argo float.
Oxygen49° 0' 37" N  16° 25' 53" W — 13/06/2025 - 48 hour deployment of lander with benthic chamber experiment.
Oxygen48° 55' 36" N  16° 22' 58" W — 11/06/2024 Deployed Met Office ODAS buoy mooring PAP-1. Mooring comprises surface Mobilis meteorological buoy. Biogeochemistry sensors include CO2 in air and water, temperature, salinty, oxygen and chlorophyll flouroescence.
Oxygen48° 55' 13" N  16° 25' 6" W — 05/06/2025 - deployment of a biogeochemistry Argo float.
Oxygen49° 0' 35" N  16° 25' 53" W — 16/06/2025 - 48 hour deployment of lander with benthic chamber experiment.
Carbon dioxide48° 55' 36" N  16° 22' 58" W — 11/06/2024 Deployed Met Office ODAS buoy mooring PAP-1. Mooring comprises surface Mobilis meteorological buoy. Biogeochemistry sensors include CO2 in air and water, temperature, salinty, oxygen and chlorophyll flouroescence.
Nitrate49° 0' 37" N  16° 25' 53" W — 13/06/2025 - 48 hour deployment of lander with benthic chamber experiment.
Nitrate49° 0' 35" N  16° 25' 53" W — 16/06/2025 - 48 hour deployment of lander with benthic chamber experiment.
pH49° 2' 17" N  16° 31' 15" W — 06/06/2025 - Deployment of 2 x submarine glider with carbonate chemistry sensors. Recovered 13/06/2025
pH48° 53' 20" N  16° 23' 56" W — 13/06/2025 - Deployment of 2 x submarine glider with carbonate chemistry sensors. Recovered 17/06/2025
Biology and fisheries 
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)48° 55' 13" N  16° 25' 6" W — 05/06/2025 - deployment of a biogeochemistry Argo float.
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)48° 50' 29" N  16° 31' 8" W — 13/06/2025 - deployment of a biogeochemistry Argo float.
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)48° 55' 36" N  16° 22' 58" W — 11/06/2024 Deployed Met Office ODAS buoy mooring PAP-1. Mooring comprises surface Mobilis meteorological buoy. Biogeochemistry sensors include CO2 in air and water, temperature, salinty, oxygen and chlorophyll flouroescence.
Sediment traps48° 37' 0" N  9° 59' 25" W — 02/06/2025 Deployed a mooring with an Anderson sediment trap, 2 ADCPs and in situ CTD and passive acoustics sensor at the Whittard Canyon in Canyons MCZ. Mooring has no surface expression.
Sediment traps48° 58' 20" N  16° 29' 21" W — 06/06/2024 - Deployment of PAP-SO sediment trap mooring array. Comprises 3 x sediment trap, 1 x passive acoustic sensor, 1 x current meters and 2 x CTD.
Sediment traps48° 37' 29" N  10° 0' 7" W — 03/06/2025 Recovered a mooring with an Anderson sediment trap, 2 ADCPs and in situ CTD at the Whittard Canyon in Irish EEZ. Mooring has no surface expression.
Zooplankton48° 55' 36" N  16° 22' 58" W — 11/06/2024 Deployed Met Office ODAS buoy mooring PAP-1. Mooring comprises surface Mobilis meteorological buoy. Biogeochemistry sensors include CO2 in air and water, temperature, salinty, oxygen and chlorophyll flouroescence.
Zoobenthos49° 0' 37" N  16° 25' 53" W — 13/06/2025 - 48 hour deployment of a baited trap experiment to study scavenging amphipods.
Zoobenthos49° 0' 37" N  16° 24' 38" W — 16/06/2025 - 48 hour deployment of a baited trap experiment to study scavenging amphipods.
Zoobenthos49° 0' 15" N  16° 26' 51" W — 16/06/2025 - deployment of a long-term time-lapse camera experiment, to be recovered in 2026.
Other biological/fisheries measurement48° 23' 2" N  9° 44' 24" W — 01/06/2025 Hydropphone lander. Passive acoustics sensor. Mooring has no surface expression.
Meteorology 
Routine standard measurements48° 55' 36" N  16° 22' 58" W — 11/06/2024 Deployed Met Office ODAS buoy mooring PAP-1. Mooring comprises surface Mobilis meteorological buoy. Biogeochemistry sensors include CO2 in air and water, temperature, salinty, oxygen and chlorophyll flouroescence.
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
55  Bottle station
Reference numbers
Total dissolved inorganic carbon (TCO2) concentration in the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Alkalinity, acidity and pH of the water column
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
Reference numbers
Total dissolved inorganic carbon (TCO2) concentration in the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Alkalinity, acidity and pH of the water column
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
23086882025-06-07 06:18:19 49° 0' 1" N  16° 30' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308688
23088482025-06-01 05:56:36 48° 26' 18" N  9° 44' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308848
23089042025-06-11 04:07:22 48° 55' 54" N  16° 22' 54" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308904
23091082025-06-02 05:53:35 48° 30' 39" N  9° 55' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309108
23086522025-06-01 05:56:36 48° 26' 18" N  9° 44' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308652
23087072025-06-11 04:07:22 48° 55' 54" N  16° 22' 54" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308707
23087442025-06-14 04:48:27 48° 57' 46" N  16° 23' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308744
23089162025-06-12 04:56:33 48° 58' 12" N  16° 22' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308916
23089532025-06-14 04:48:27 48° 57' 46" N  16° 23' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308953
23089902025-06-17 12:34:14 48° 58' 22" N  16° 22' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308990
23090902025-06-01 05:56:36 48° 26' 18" N  9° 44' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309090
23087202025-06-13 04:06:15 48° 50' 29" N  16° 31' 7" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308720
23087682025-06-15 12:57:41 48° 58' 12" N  16° 22' 40" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308768
23087812025-06-17 04:02:09 49° 0' 0" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308781
23089282025-06-13 04:06:15 48° 50' 29" N  16° 31' 7" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308928
23089652025-06-15 04:04:48 49° 0' 0" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308965
23086392025-05-31 09:07:06 49° 5' 28" N  7° 10' 26" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308639
23087322025-06-13 12:12 49° 2' 10" N  16° 19' 3" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308732
23088002025-06-18 04:08:30 49° 0' 41" N  16° 27' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308800
23092622025-06-20 17:59:53 48° 34' 24" N  16° 56' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309262
23091822025-06-13 12:12 49° 2' 10" N  16° 19' 3" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309182
23091692025-06-12 04:56:33 48° 58' 12" N  16° 22' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309169
23092372025-06-17 12:34:14 48° 58' 22" N  16° 22' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309237
23092502025-06-18 13:40:21 48° 58' 27" N  16° 22' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309250
23088122025-06-18 13:40:21 48° 58' 27" N  16° 22' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308812
23087562025-06-15 04:04:48 49° 0' 0" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308756
23088362025-05-31 19:57 48° 24' 14" N  9° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308836
23088732025-06-05 04:24:50 48° 59' 59" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308873
23089892025-06-17 04:02:09 49° 0' 0" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308989
23090892025-05-31 19:57 48° 24' 14" N  9° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309089
23091942025-06-14 04:48:27 48° 57' 46" N  16° 23' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309194
23092252025-06-17 04:02:09 49° 0' 0" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309225
23086642025-06-02 05:53:35 48° 30' 39" N  9° 55' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308664
23086762025-06-05 04:24:50 48° 59' 59" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308676
23087192025-06-12 04:56:33 48° 58' 12" N  16° 22' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308719
23088242025-05-31 09:07:06 49° 5' 28" N  7° 10' 26" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308824
23088852025-06-05 09:56:40 49° 0' 19" N  16° 28' 28" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308885
23089412025-06-13 12:12 49° 2' 10" N  16° 19' 3" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308941
23091452025-06-07 06:18:19 49° 0' 1" N  16° 30' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309145
23092132025-06-15 12:57:41 48° 58' 12" N  16° 22' 40" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309213
23092492025-06-18 04:08:30 49° 0' 41" N  16° 27' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309249
23086402025-05-31 19:57 48° 24' 14" N  9° 41' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308640
23087932025-06-17 12:34:14 48° 58' 22" N  16° 22' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308793
23089772025-06-15 12:57:41 48° 58' 12" N  16° 22' 40" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308977
23090772025-05-31 09:07:06 49° 5' 28" N  7° 10' 26" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309077
23091212025-06-05 04:24:50 48° 59' 59" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309121
23091702025-06-13 04:06:15 48° 50' 29" N  16° 31' 7" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309170
23092012025-06-15 04:04:48 49° 0' 0" N  16° 30' 0" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309201
23088612025-06-02 05:53:35 48° 30' 39" N  9° 55' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308861
23088972025-06-07 06:18:19 49° 0' 1" N  16° 30' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2308897
23091332025-06-05 09:56:40 49° 0' 19" N  16° 28' 28" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309133
23091572025-06-11 04:07:22 48° 55' 54" N  16° 22' 54" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309157
23090282025-06-20 17:59:53 48° 34' 24" N  16° 56' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309028
23090042025-06-18 04:08:30 49° 0' 41" N  16° 27' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309004
23090162025-06-18 13:40:21 48° 58' 27" N  16° 22' 36" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 2309016
Discrete samples 
19  CTD frame plus rosette sampler