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RRS Challenger CH121A

Cruise summary report

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Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Challenger (74CH)
Cruise identifierCH121A
Cruise period1995-08-10 — 1995-08-18
StatusCompleted
Port of departureArdrossan, United Kingdom
Port of returnMallaig, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesCH121 was the second of six cruises under the LOIS Shelf Edge Study (SES) aimed at defining the nature of the processes occurring at the shelf edge, their seasonal variability and their impact on the fluxes of nutrients and carbon across the shelf and into the seabed sediments through the shelf.
The cruise was divided into three legs with the first and third being principally directed to the deployment and recovery of an extensive mooring array and the acquisition of sediment cores from selected sites in the SES area. The second leg had a series of objectives concerned with measuring the water column structure and velocity field in the shelf edge regime. To complement the time series data from the moored array of current meters and thermistor chains, the cruise plan called for measurements by shipboard adcp and CTD together to help identify the motions associated with internal tides and waves. These motions, which are generated at the shelf edge, may contribute to turbulent mixing and dissipation and the distribution of the latter was to be investigated with the aid of the FLY free-fall turbulence probe which was to be investigated. More wide-ranging spatial measurements were required to demonstrate the continuity of the slope current and to investigate its cross slope structure.
While this cruise was principally concerned with the physics of the shelf edge system, the programme was also designed to obtain an extensive set of measurements of chlorophyll a, primary production and nutrient concentrations in parallel with physical observations. A further goal was to acquire surficial sediment material from a number of sites down the slope.
Chief scientistJohn H Simpson (University of Wales, Bangor School of Ocean Sciences)
ProjectLOIS - SES
Coordinating bodyUK NERC/Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory(POL)
Cruise reportRRS Challenger CH121A cruise report ch121_95.pdf (1.92 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificOff NW Scotland, Malin Shelf break approx 56 30N, 9W
Track chartsRRS Challenger CH121A cruise track — trk4114.html
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Surface measurements underway (T,S)Quantity: track kilometres = 550
Description: underway measurements
CTD stationsQuantity: number of profiles = 30
Transparency (eg transmissometer)Quantity: number of profiles = 30
Description: on CTD
Transparency (eg transmissometer)Quantity: track kilometres = 550
Description: underway measurements
Optics (eg underwater light levels)Quantity: track kilometres = 550
Description: underway measurements
Current metersQuantity: number of deployments = 6
Current profiler (eg ADCP)Quantity: track kilometres = 550
Description: underway measurements
Chemical oceanography 
OxygenQuantity: number of profiles = 30
Description: on CTD
NitrateQuantity: number of profiles = 2
NitriteQuantity: number of profiles = 2
Biology and fisheries 
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of samples = 33
Description: non-toxic surface samples for chlorophyll
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of samples = 75
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of profiles = 30
Description: on CTD
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: track kilometres = 550
Description: underway measurements
Geology and geophysics 
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of deployments = 6
Description: multicorer samples for geochemical and biogeochemical analysis
Single-beam echosoundingQuantity: track kilometres = 550
Description: underway measurements
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Subsurface temperature measurements56° 27' 0" N  9° 3' 0" W — CM with thermistor chain, tranmissometer, STABLE (S200 site)
Subsurface temperature measurements56° 28' 0" N  8° 58' 0" W — ADCP, CM, Met buoy plus ARIES II mooring (S140 site)
Subsurface temperature measurements56° 27' 0" N  9° 9' 0" W — pop-up+toroid CM moorings, thermistor chains/transmissometers (S700)
Subsurface temperature measurements56° 37' 0" N  9° 1' 0" W — Pop-up mooring; CM, thermistor chain, transmissometer (N300 site)
Subsurface temperature measurements56° 27' 0" N  9° 4' 0" W — pop-up+toroid CM mooring,thermistor chain/tranmissometer (S300 site)
Transparency (eg transmissometer)56° 27' 0" N  9° 3' 0" W — CM with thermistor chain, tranmissometer, STABLE (S200 site)
Transparency (eg transmissometer)56° 37' 0" N  9° 1' 0" W — Pop-up mooring; CM, thermistor chain, transmissometer (N300 site)
Transparency (eg transmissometer)56° 27' 0" N  9° 9' 0" W — pop-up+toroid CM moorings, thermistor chains/transmissometers (S700)
Transparency (eg transmissometer)56° 28' 0" N  8° 58' 0" W — ADCP, CM, Met buoy plus ARIES II mooring (S140 site)
Transparency (eg transmissometer)56° 27' 0" N  9° 4' 0" W — pop-up+toroid CM mooring,thermistor chain/tranmissometer (S300 site)
Current meters56° 27' 0" N  9° 4' 59" W — ADCP and CM moorings (S400 site)
Current meters56° 27' 0" N  9° 9' 0" W — pop-up+toroid CM moorings, thermistor chains/transmissometers (S700)
Current meters56° 28' 0" N  8° 58' 0" W — ADCP, CM, Met buoy plus ARIES II mooring (S140 site)
Current meters56° 27' 0" N  9° 4' 0" W — pop-up+toroid CM mooring,thermistor chain/tranmissometer (S300 site)
Current meters56° 37' 0" N  9° 1' 0" W — Pop-up mooring; CM, thermistor chain, transmissometer (N300 site)
Current meters56° 27' 0" N  9° 3' 0" W — CM with thermistor chain, tranmissometer, STABLE (S200 site)
Current profiler (eg ADCP)56° 27' 0" N  9° 4' 59" W — ADCP and CM moorings (S400 site)
Current profiler (eg ADCP)56° 28' 0" N  8° 58' 0" W — ADCP, CM, Met buoy plus ARIES II mooring (S140 site)
Sea level (inc. bot. press., inverted echosounder)56° 36' 29" N  8° 56' 17" W — Bottom pressure recorder (N140 site)
Meteorology 
Other meteorological measurements56° 28' 0" N  8° 58' 0" W — ADCP, CM, Met buoy plus ARIES II mooring (S140 site)
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
3  Acoustic doppler current profiler
Date and time
Vertical spatial coordinates
Vertical velocity of the water column (currents)
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Metadata parameters
[Show series]
Date and time
Vertical spatial coordinates
Vertical velocity of the water column (currents)
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Metadata parameters
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4442161995-08-17 12:41  — 1995-09-04 16:08:59 56° 27' 37" N  8° 58' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 444216
4441851995-08-11 08:17  — 1995-09-03 17:59 56° 26' 40" N  9° 3' 5" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 444185
4442281995-08-12 08:52:29  — 1995-09-05 13:37:30 56° 27' 10" N  9° 4' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 444228
27  Bottle station
Reference numbers
Vertical spatial coordinates
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Show series]
Reference numbers
Vertical spatial coordinates
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
16531521995-08-11 09:42 56° 27' 54" N  8° 52' 56" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653152
16531391995-08-15 10:10 56° 26' 41" N  9° 2' 19" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653139
16531761995-08-15 19:58 56° 28' 2" N  8° 58' 21" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653176
16530721995-08-12 23:38 56° 27' 31" N  9° 17' 58" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653072
16530841995-08-13 02:27 56° 27' 12" N  9° 38' 48" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653084
16532561995-08-16 08:53 56° 26' 46" N  9° 3' 25" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653256
16533121995-08-12 09:03 56° 27' 8" N  9° 4' 51" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653312
16532191995-08-16 00:14 56° 37' 40" N  9° 1' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653219
16532931995-08-16 17:33 56° 36' 58" N  9° 1' 21" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653293
16530961995-08-13 07:13 56° 26' 11" N  9° 3' 18" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653096
16532811995-08-11 14:20 56° 27' 26" N  8° 57' 24" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653281
16533241995-08-12 14:28 56° 27' 23" N  9° 3' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653324
16533611995-08-12 21:44 56° 28' 28" N  9° 10' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653361
16531031995-08-13 17:11 56° 28' 2" N  9° 10' 2" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653103
16531271995-08-14 17:52 56° 27' 12" N  9° 3' 16" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653127
16531641995-08-15 17:30 56° 28' 3" N  8° 57' 32" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653164
16532441995-08-16 04:07 56° 38' 10" N  9° 10' 15" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653244
16532681995-08-16 12:19 56° 38' 24" N  8° 59' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653268
16533361995-08-12 18:35 56° 26' 18" N  9° 3' 13" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653336
16533481995-08-12 20:35 56° 27' 20" N  9° 8' 3" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653348
16531151995-08-14 14:36 56° 27' 30" N  9° 4' 10" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653115
16531401995-08-15 14:27 56° 27' 3" N  8° 58' 25" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653140
16533001995-08-11 19:53 56° 27' 26" N  8° 57' 10" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653300
16531881995-08-15 21:31 56° 36' 15" N  8° 55' 51" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653188
16532071995-08-15 23:12 56° 36' 59" N  8° 59' 24" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653207
16532201995-08-16 01:23 56° 38' 32" N  9° 5' 25" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653220
16532321995-08-16 02:21 56° 38' 42" N  9° 6' 58" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1653232
2  Bottom pressure sensor tide gauge
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Sea level
[Show series]
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Sea level
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4427071995-08-17 14:14:40  — 1996-01-10 07:29:40 56° 36' 31" N  8° 56' 20" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 442707
4426881995-08-17 12:40:30  — 1995-09-04 06:55:30 56° 27' 37" N  8° 58' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 442688
29  CTD/STD cast
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Show series]
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
8496551995-08-12 21:23 56° 28' 28" N  9° 10' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849655
8497471995-08-15 17:18 56° 28' 3" N  8° 57' 32" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849747
8495631995-08-16 03:15 56° 38' 10" N  9° 10' 15" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849563
8495381995-08-15 19:56 56° 28' 2" N  8° 58' 21" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849538
8495141995-08-14 14:21 56° 27' 30" N  9° 4' 10" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849514
8495871995-08-11 14:21 56° 27' 26" N  8° 57' 24" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849587
8495991995-08-11 19:45 56° 27' 25" N  8° 57' 10" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849599
8496181995-08-12 14:18 56° 27' 23" N  9° 3' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849618
8497601995-08-15 23:01 56° 36' 59" N  8° 59' 24" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849760
8495751995-08-11 09:33 56° 27' 54" N  8° 52' 56" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849575
8497351995-08-15 14:17 56° 27' 3" N  8° 58' 25" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849735
8497591995-08-15 21:24 56° 36' 15" N  8° 55' 52" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849759
8497961995-08-16 08:42 56° 26' 46" N  9° 3' 25" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849796
8496311995-08-12 18:13 56° 26' 18" N  9° 3' 13" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849631
8496671995-08-12 23:08 56° 27' 31" N  9° 17' 58" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849667
8497111995-08-14 17:41 56° 27' 12" N  9° 3' 16" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849711
8496791995-08-13 01:44 56° 27' 11" N  9° 38' 49" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849679
8497841995-08-16 01:58 56° 38' 42" N  9° 6' 58" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849784
8498151995-08-16 17:20 56° 36' 58" N  9° 1' 21" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849815
8496801995-08-13 07:03 56° 26' 10" N  9° 3' 19" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849680
8497231995-08-14 21:32 56° 26' 59" N  9° 9' 49" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849723
8495261995-08-15 10:01 56° 26' 42" N  9° 2' 19" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849526
8495511995-08-15 23:58 56° 37' 40" N  9° 1' 39" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849551
8496431995-08-12 20:16 56° 27' 20" N  9° 8' 3" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849643
8496921995-08-13 16:52 56° 28' 3" N  9° 10' 2" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849692
8497721995-08-16 01:03 56° 38' 32" N  9° 5' 25" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849772
8498031995-08-16 12:03 56° 38' 24" N  8° 59' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849803
8496061995-08-12 08:48 56° 27' 9" N  9° 4' 51" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849606
8498271995-08-13 09:57 56° 27' 12" N  9° 4' 48" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 849827
3  Electromagnetic current meter
Date and time
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
[Show series]
Date and time
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4260861995-08-14 14:12:30  — 1995-09-02 10:02:30 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 426086
4261051995-08-13 16:42:30  — 1995-09-06 04:52:30 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 426105
4261291995-08-11 19:22:30  — 1995-08-31 13:22:30 56° 27' 44" N  8° 57' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 426129
3  Fluorometers
Date and time
Raw fluorometer output
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Show series]
Date and time
Raw fluorometer output
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4760711995-08-15 20:02:56  — 1995-09-03 15:02:57 56° 27' 59" N  8° 57' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 476071
4761261995-08-13 15:02:57  — 1995-09-06 12:59:53 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 45" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 476126
4761751995-08-16 09:09:21  — 1995-09-06 08:02:56 56° 26' 51" N  9° 2' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 476175
14  Paddle wheel current meter
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Moored instrument depth
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Electrical conductivity of the water column
[Show series]
Transmittance and attenuance of the water column
Moored instrument depth
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Electrical conductivity of the water column
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4313281995-08-14 14:10:30  — 1995-09-02 10:00:30 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431328
4392991995-08-11 19:17:30  — 1995-08-31 13:22:30 56° 27' 10" N  9° 2' 46" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439299
4313041995-08-13 16:56  — 1995-09-06 04:56 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431304
4313771995-08-16 16:12:30  — 1995-09-02 14:32:30 56° 37' 32" N  9° 1' 9" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431377
4313901995-08-16 16:12:30  — 1995-09-02 14:32:30 56° 37' 32" N  9° 1' 9" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431390
4392751995-08-13 16:55  — 1995-09-06 04:55 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439275
4393431995-08-14 14:07:30  — 1995-09-02 10:02:30 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439343
4312481995-08-13 16:55  — 1995-09-06 04:55 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431248
4393181995-08-14 14:07:30  — 1995-08-16 07:52:30 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439318
4313891995-08-15 15:52:30  — 1995-09-02 17:32:30 56° 27' 2" N  9° 4' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431389
4392381995-08-16 16:12:30  — 1995-09-02 14:32:30 56° 37' 32" N  9° 1' 9" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439238
4313531995-08-14 14:07:30  — 1995-09-02 10:02:30 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431353
4361851995-08-11 19:17:30  — 1995-08-31 13:17:30 56° 27' 44" N  8° 57' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 436185
4314211995-08-14 14:10:30  — 1995-09-02 10:00:30 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 431421
1  Pumped water sample
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Show series]
Horizontal spatial co-ordinates
Date and time
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
16762431995-08-11 07:27  — 1995-08-17 19:46 56° 26' 1" N  9° 18' 29" W — 56° 39' 58" N  8° 37' 32" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1676243
1  Savonius rotor current meter
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Sea level
[Show series]
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Platform or instrument orientation
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Sea level
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4444131995-08-11 05:37  — 1995-09-06 17:53 56° 26' 44" N  9° 2' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 444413
12  Thermistor chain
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
[Show series]
Date and time
Temperature of the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4395391995-08-16 16:30  — 1995-09-02 14:30 56° 37' 32" N  9° 1' 9" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439539
4397361995-08-14 14:25  — 1995-09-02 09:05 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439736
4397971995-08-13 17:15  — 1995-09-06 10:15 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439797
4397731995-08-14 14:25  — 1995-09-02 09:55 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439773
4395031995-08-11 19:18  — 1995-08-15 10:56 56° 27' 44" N  8° 57' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439503
4397121995-08-14 14:05  — 1995-09-02 10:05 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439712
4396681995-08-15 19:26  — 1995-09-03 14:56 56° 27' 59" N  8° 57' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439668
4395641995-08-14 17:03  — 1995-09-06 06:03 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439564
4398161995-08-14 14:59:30  — 1995-09-02 10:07 56° 27' 28" N  9° 3' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439816
4396931995-08-13 17:03  — 1995-09-06 10:03 56° 27' 36" N  9° 9' 44" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 439693
4423631995-08-16 08:30  — 1995-09-06 08:00 56° 26' 51" N  9° 2' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 442363
4423991995-08-16 16:30  — 1995-09-02 09:40 56° 37' 32" N  9° 1' 9" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 442399
2  Transmissometer
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
[Show series]
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
[Hide series]

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
4961401995-08-16 08:00  — 1995-09-06 08:07 56° 26' 51" N  9° 2' 50" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 496140
4961271995-08-15 19:04:03  — 1995-09-03 15:14:03 56° 27' 59" N  8° 57' 42" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 496127
Discrete samples 
30  CTD frame plus rosette samplerTransmittance and attenuance of the water column
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
19  Instrument mooring
6  MulticorerStable isotopes in sediment
33  Sample taken from ship's non-toxic supplyPhaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
4  Sholkovitz Gravity Corer
5  Underwater camera system

 

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