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RV Prince Madog PD04/04

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Prince Madog (74P2)
Cruise identifierPD04/04
Cruise period2004-02-06 — 2004-02-19
StatusCompleted
Port of departureMenai Bridge, United Kingdom
Port of returnMenai Bridge, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesBACKGROUND:
It is suspected that turbulence controls the properties of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in tide-stirred shelf seas and so controls the vertical flux of SPM and organic carbon to the seabed, but there are very few observational data to support theoretical and laboratory evidence. These uncertainties constitute major prediction-limiting factors in water quality and ecosystem models. We have preliminary data which support turbulence control of particle disaggregation in the boundary layer and provide evidence for aggregation at the base of the thermocline. The aim of the project is to make in situ observations of turbulence and SPM under a range of dynamic conditions to develop functional relationships between turbulence and SPM, and to explore temporal/spatial evolution of SPM properties, particularly with respect to aggregation, resuspension, and advection of lateral differential size and concentration gradients.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
To obtain high quality observational data sets of tidal flow, in situ SPM and turbulence properties in contrasting energy regimes.
To investigate generic relationships between SPM and turbulence properties.
To investigate and model the time history of aggregate development and vertical/lateral exchanges.
Specific Cruise Objectives:
Deploy an ADCP mooring to determine tidal flow, stress, and TKE production estimates.
Obtain full CTD profiles to determine water column structure.
Obtain surface and deep-water samples & filter for suspended sediments.
Carry out hourly series of FLY measurements to determine profiles of TKE dissipation.
Carry out LISST 100B & C profiles, for data inter-comparison.
Deploy settling velocity tubes in bottom, surface and thermocline regions.
Chief scientistNeil Fisher (University of Wales, Bangor School of Ocean Sciences)
Cruise reportRV Prince Madog PD04/04 cruise report pd04_04.pdf (4.96 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralInner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland
Irish Sea and St. George's Channel
SpecificClyde Sea; Irish Sea
Track chartsRV Prince Madog PD04/04 cruise track — pd04_04track.pdf (0.11 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 3
Description: At mooring stations identified in section above, 25-50 hr timeseries of CTD, FLY, LISST and settling velocity measurements made
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 17
Description: 2 transects of 9 stations (HH1-HH9) and 8 stations (T3-T10 where T5 also moored ADCP station, see above). At each station, CTD and LISST (combination of LISST 25, LISST 100c and LISST 100b) profiles carried out.
Transparency (eg transmissometer)Quantity: number of stations = 17
Description: 2 transects of 9 stations (HH1-HH9) and 8 stations (T3-T10 where T5 also moored ADCP station, see above). At each station, CTD and LISST (combination of LISST 25, LISST 100c and LISST 100b) profiles carried out.
Transparency (eg transmissometer)Quantity: number of stations = 3
Description: At mooring stations identified in section above, 25-50 hr timeseries of CTD, FLY, LISST and settling velocity measurements made
Other physical oceanographic measurementsQuantity: number of stations = 3
Description: At mooring stations identified in section above, 25-50 hr timeseries of CTD, FLY, LISST and settling velocity measurements made
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Current profiler (eg ADCP)55° 21' 1" N  5° 4' 41" W — Station name: Clyde Sea, C2, deployment of ADCP
Current profiler (eg ADCP)53° 28' 39" N  3° 37' 53" W — Station name: Liverpool Bay, Station T5, deployment of ADCP
Current profiler (eg ADCP)53° 27' 38" N  4° 32' 54" W — Station name: Irish Sea, Station Ethel, deployment of ADCP