Resources

RRS Charles Darwin CD150

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS Charles Darwin (74AB)
Cruise identifierCD150
Cruise period2003-08-22 — 2003-09-15
StatusCompleted
Port of departureMuscat, Oman
Port of returnMuscat, Oman
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesRRS Charles Darwin Cruise 150 forms part of a larger programme of research ("Benthic processes in the Arabian Sea: mechanistic relationships between benthos, sediment, biogeochemistry and organic matter cycling"), focusing on the benthic biogeochemistry of the Pakistan Margin, that includes four cruises in total (CD145, 146, 150 and 151). The primary objectives of the present cruise are:
a) to revisit a series of five previously established study sites (A140, A300, A950, A1200 and A1850) spanning the Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone as it impinges on the seabed at the Pakistan Margin;
b) to assess the chemical oceanography of the water column overlying these sites, through CTD sensor profiles and chemical determinations on water bottle samples from both the CTD and BBLS;
c) to initiate a programme of detailed seabed sampling at these sites to determine a suite of biological, chemical and biogeochemical parameters using a Megacorer and a multicorer;
d) to assess and sample the megabenthos of these sites by the combined use of trawling (Agassiz trawl) and seabed photography (WASP);
e) as possible, to carry out similar operations at a site located at a depth between A300 and A950;
f) as possible, to provide additional general characterisation of the seabed in the area of these sites using acoustic remote sensing (EM12 and 3.5 kHz) and seabed imagery (WASP).
CD150 sailed Muscat (Oman) 22 August 2003 and proceed to the Indus Margin to carry out a programme of work as detailed above. The work was undertaken between 24 Aug-12 Sep, the vessel returning to Muscat 15 September 2003 (full details are given in cruise report).
Chief scientistBrian James Bett (Southampton Oceanography Centre)
ProjectBenthic processes in the Arabian Sea
Coordinating bodyNERC (NER/A/S/2000/01382)
Cruise reportRRS Charles Darwin CD150 cruise report cd150.pdf (2.99 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralIndian Ocean
Arabian Sea
SpecificIndian Ocean; Arabian Sea; Indus Margin
Track chartsRRS Charles Darwin CD150 cruise track — cd150track.pdf (0.49 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Water bottle stationsQuantity: number of stations = 7
Description: Water Column: CTD data and water bottle casts at 7 sites spanning OMZ, generating CTD profile data. Various chemical analyses from water bottles.
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 7
Description: Water Column: CTD data and water bottle casts at 7 sites spanning OMZ, generating CTD profile data. Various chemical analyses from water bottles.
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 7
Description: Water Column: CTD casts at seven sites in the upper boundary of the OMZ (soundings c. 90-300m), generating CTD profile data.
Chemical oceanography 
pHQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Chemistry: megacore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of various parameters including photosynthetic pigments, lipids, Thorium, biochemicals, pH, trace metals, DOC, DIC, sulphate, radionuclides.
RadioactivityQuantity: number of hauls = 12
Description: AGASSIZ TRAWL HAULS: 12 successful hauls (11 yielding biological material) at various sites throughout the OMZ (soundings c. 140-1820), generating general trawl catch samples, ethanol preserved material for genetic studies, tissue and whole animal samples for various biochemical assessments, gut content radionuclides
IsotopesQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Chemistry: megacore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of various parameters including photosynthetic pigments, lipids, Thorium, biochemicals, pH, trace metals, DOC, DIC, sulphate, radionuclides.
Other chemical oceanographic measurementsQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Chemistry: megacore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of various parameters including photosynthetic pigments, lipids, Thorium, biochemicals, pH, trace metals, DOC, DIC, sulphate, radionuclides.
Contamination 
Trace metalsQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Chemistry: megacore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of various parameters including photosynthetic pigments, lipids, Thorium, biochemicals, pH, trace metals, DOC, DIC, sulphate, radionuclides.
Biology and fisheries 
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Chemistry: megacore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of various parameters including photosynthetic pigments, lipids, Thorium, biochemicals, pH, trace metals, DOC, DIC, sulphate, radionuclides.
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Chemistry: megacore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of various parameters including photosynthetic pigments, lipids, Thorium, biochemicals, pH, trace metals, DOC, DIC, sulphate, radionuclides.
Biochemical measurements (eg lipids, amino acids)Quantity: number of hauls = 12
Description: AGASSIZ TRAWL HAULS: 12 successful hauls (11 yielding biological material) at various sites throughout the OMZ (soundings c. 140-1820), generating general trawl catch samples, ethanol preserved material for genetic studies, tissue and whole animal samples for various biochemical assessments, gut content radionuclides
PhytobenthosQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Biology: Megacore and multicore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of macrobenthos and meiobenthos.
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of hauls = 12
Description: AGASSIZ TRAWL HAULS: 12 successful hauls (11 yielding biological material) at various sites throughout the OMZ (soundings c. 140-1820), generating general trawl catch samples, ethanol preserved material for genetic studies, tissue and whole animal samples for various biochemical assessments, gut content radionuclides
ZoobenthosQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Biology: Megacore and multicore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of macrobenthos and meiobenthos.
Other biological/fisheries measurementQuantity: number of hauls = 12
Description: AGASSIZ TRAWL HAULS: 12 successful hauls (11 yielding biological material) at various sites throughout the OMZ (soundings c. 140-1820), generating general trawl catch samples, ethanol preserved material for genetic studies, tissue and whole animal samples for various biochemical assessments, gut content radionuclides
Geology and geophysics 
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Chemistry: megacore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of various parameters including photosynthetic pigments, lipids, Thorium, biochemicals, pH, trace metals, DOC, DIC, sulphate, radionuclides.
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of stations = 6
Description: Sediment Biology: Megacore and multicore samples collected at 6 sites spanning the OMZ. Samples retained for the analysis of macrobenthos and meiobenthos.
Bottom photographyQuantity: number of deployments = 23
Description: WASP CAMERA TOWS: various sites throught the OMZ (soundings c. 140-1850 m) generating digital video footage (c. 20 hours) and still photographs (c. 7000).
Single-beam echosoundingQuantity: activity duration in days = 21
Description: ECHO-SOUNDING: Simrad EA500 10kHZz sounding run more-or-less continuously
Multi-beam echosoundingQuantity: activity duration in days = 1
Description: SWATH BATHYMETRY: limited Simard EM12 operations
Single channel seismic reflectionQuantity: activity duration in days = 1
Description: SUB-BOTTOM PROFILING: limited operation of 3.5 kHz profiling system
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
7  Bottle station
Reference numbers
Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Ammonium and ammonia concentration parameters in water bodies
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Quality control flags
Reference numbers
Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Vertical spatial coordinates
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Ammonium and ammonia concentration parameters in water bodies
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Quality control flags

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
17480712003-08-24 05:29 22° 52' 17" N  65° 59' 54" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1748071
17480952003-08-29 11:14 22° 55' 32" N  66° 36' 27" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1748095
17481022003-08-31 05:22 23° 12' 23" N  66° 34' 4" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1748102
17481142003-09-02 07:38 23° 16' 49" N  66° 42' 45" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1748114
17480832003-08-27 05:14 22° 59' 58" N  66° 24' 18" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1748083
17481262003-09-04 04:43 23° 8' 1" N  66° 29' 54" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1748126
17481382003-09-07 05:35 22° 59' 59" N  66° 41' 12" E  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1748138
Discrete samples 
16  CTD frame plus rosette samplerTransmittance and attenuance of the water column
Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column
Salinity of the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Temperature of the water column
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Density of the water column
Ammonium and ammonia concentration parameters in water bodies
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
20  Sample taken from ship's non-toxic supplySalinity of the water column