Resources

RRS Discovery D227

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Discovery (74E3)
Cruise identifierD227
Cruise period1997-04-15 — 1997-05-16
StatusCompleted
Port of departureVigo, Spain
Port of returnVigo, Spain
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesTo study bio-physical interactions, in the upper ocean, at the time of the spring bloom, using a combination of ship and satellite (OCTS, AVHRR) measurements.
Main tasks:
1) Large scale survey using Seasoar, vertical nets and light Seasoar
2) Repeat small scale surveys using Seasoar, CTD, vertical nets and light Seasoar
3) Sample zooplankton distribution using LHPR during small scale surveys
4) Repeat large scale survey using Seasoar
Chief scientistMeric Srokosz (Southampton Oceanography Centre)
Cruise reportRRS Discovery D227 cruise report d227.pdf (0.80 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth East Atlantic Ocean (limit 40W)
SpecificEastern North Atlantic
Track chartsRRS Discovery D227 cruise track — trk4247.html
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Surface measurements underway (T,S)Quantity: track kilometres = 9260
Description: Underway T, S and fluorescence measurements (pumped water)
Water bottle stationsQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: CTD casts with oxygen and nutrient sensors, and transmissometer
Subsurface temperature and salinity measurementsQuantity: track kilometres = 4630
Description: Underway Seasoar measurements (to 300m) - CTD, fluorometer, OPC (optical plankton counter) and PAR
Transparency (eg transmissometer)Quantity: number of stations = 42
Description: CTD casts with oxygen and nutrient sensors, and transmissometer
Optics (eg underwater light levels)Quantity: number of stations = 23
Description: S. Atlantic sensor rig dips (to 60m) for optical properties
Optics (eg underwater light levels)Quantity: track kilometres = 926
Description: Underway lightfish measurements (at approximately 3m) of optical properties
Optics (eg underwater light levels)Quantity: track kilometres = 4630
Description: Underway Seasoar measurements (to 300m) - CTD, fluorometer, OPC (optical plankton counter) and PAR
Current profiler (eg ADCP)Quantity: track kilometres = 9260
Description: Underway current profiling using RDI ADCP (to 400m)
Instrumented wave measurementsQuantity: track kilometres = 9260
Description: Underway meteorological observations/measurements - wind velocity, wind stress, short and long wave radiation, PAR, radiometric SST, humidity, wave height
Chemical oceanography 
OxygenQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: CTD casts with oxygen and nutrient sensors, and transmissometer
OxygenQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
PhosphateQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
PhosphateQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: CTD casts with oxygen and nutrient sensors, and transmissometer
NitrateQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
NitrateQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: CTD casts with oxygen and nutrient sensors, and transmissometer
SilicateQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
SilicateQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: CTD casts with oxygen and nutrient sensors, and transmissometer
Biology and fisheries 
Primary productivityQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: track kilometres = 9260
Description: Underway T, S and fluorescence measurements (pumped water)
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: track kilometres = 4630
Description: Underway Seasoar measurements (to 300m) - CTD, fluorometer, OPC (optical plankton counter) and PAR
PhytoplanktonQuantity: number of stations = 42
Description: FSI water bottles (15 x 20 ltr) on upcasts at each CTD station. Samples taken for oxygen, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll, primary production (only some stations), phytoplankton, pigments
ZooplanktonQuantity: track kilometres = 4630
Description: Underway Seasoar measurements (to 300m) - CTD, fluorometer, OPC (optical plankton counter) and PAR
ZooplanktonQuantity: number of hauls = 22
Description: Vertical nets (to 200m) for zooplankton
Meteorology 
Upper air observationsQuantity: number of deployments = 26
Description: Radiosonde ascents
Incident radiationQuantity: track kilometres = 9260
Description: Underway meteorological observations/measurements - wind velocity, wind stress, short and long wave radiation, PAR, radiometric SST, humidity, wave height
Routine standard measurementsQuantity: track kilometres = 9260
Description: Underway meteorological observations/measurements - wind velocity, wind stress, short and long wave radiation, PAR, radiometric SST, humidity, wave height
Other meteorological measurementsQuantity: track kilometres = 9260
Description: Underway meteorological observations/measurements - wind velocity, wind stress, short and long wave radiation, PAR, radiometric SST, humidity, wave height
Data held at BODC 
Discrete samples 
38  CTD frame plus rosette samplerTransmittance and attenuance of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Salinity of the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies