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RV Prince Madog PD25/06

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RV Prince Madog (74P2)
Cruise identifierPD25/06
Cruise period2006-08-15 — 2006-08-16
StatusCompleted
Port of departureMenai Bridge, United Kingdom
Port of returnMenai Bridge, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
Objectives1) At 53 degrees 32 minutes N 3 degrees 21.8 minutes W, half a mile west of the Mersey Bar Light Vessel (site A)
To recover: (a) A sea bed frame for a 600 kHz ADCP (waves ADCP) to measure the mean current profile, pressures and directional waves (b) A CEFAS SmartBuoy (with cellulose bags) in a single point mooring with Sea-Bird MicroCAT temperature, conductivity loggers at 5m and 10m below the surface.
To deploy: (c) A sea bed frame for a 600 kHz ADCP (waves ADCP) to measure the mean current profile, pressures and directional waves (d) A CEFAS SmartBuoy (with cellulose bags) in a single point mooring with Sea-Bird MicroCAT temperature, conductivity loggers at 5m and 10m below the surface (e) A sea bed frame for a nutrient analyser measuring nitrate and phosphate four times a semi-diurnal tidal cycle.

2) At 53 degrees 27 minutes N 3degrees 38.6 minutes W (site 21, second site, B)
To recover: (f) A sea bed frame for a 600 kHz ADCP (waves ADCP) to measure the mean current profile, pressures and directional waves (g) A CEFAS SmartBuoy (with cellulose bags) in a single point mooring.
To deploy: (h) A sea bed frame for a 600 kHz ADCP (waves ADCP) to measure the mean current profile, pressures and directional waves (i) A CEFAS SmartBuoy (with cellulose bags and trace metal monitor) in a single point mooring.

3. To conduct a CTD / LISST survey of 34 sites every 5 miles covering the eastern Irish Sea between the North Wales coast and Blackpool and the Lancashire coast and the Great Orme, to determine the effects of the rivers Dee, Mersey and Ribble on Liverpool Bay.
4. To obtain calibration samples for salinity, transmittance, suspended sediment and for chlorophyll at selected stations.
5. To obtain near surface and bed water samples for nutrient and suspended sediment determination.
6. To obtain trace metal water samples.
7. Collect 10 vertical net hauls at mooring site A.
8. To deploy a directional wave buoy at 53 degrees 23.5 minute
Chief scientistM John Howarth (Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory)
ProjectPOL Coastal Observatory
Coordinating bodyNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Cruise reportRV Prince Madog PD25/06 cruise report pd25_06.pdf (0.24 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralIrish Sea and St. George's Channel
SpecificLiverpool Bay and eastern Irish Sea
Track chartsRV Prince Madog PD25/06 cruise track — pd25_06trk.pdf (0.11 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Water bottle stationsQuantity: number of stations = 35
Description: Water samples were taken from a near bed bottle for calibration of the CTD salinity data.
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 35
Description: The Sea-Bird 911 CTD recorded downwelling temperature and conductivity, 3 m above the bed.
CTD stationsQuantity: number of stations = 35
Description: Water samples were taken from a near bed bottle for calibration of the CTD salinity data.
Transparency (eg transmissometer)Quantity: number of stations = 35
Description: The Sea-Bird 911 CTD recorded downwelling transmittance, 3 m above the bed.
Optics (eg underwater light levels)Quantity: number of stations = 35
Description: The Sea-Bird 911 CTD recorded downwelling PAR light levels (CEFAS light sensor) 3 m above the bed.
Chemical oceanography 
OxygenQuantity: number of stations = 35
Description: The Sea-Bird 911 CTD recorded downwelling oxygen (no calibration samples) 3 m above the bed.
PhosphateQuantity: number of stations = 35
Description: Water samples were taken from the near surface and near bed bottles and frozen for nutrient analysis by NOC
NitrateQuantity: number of stations = 35
Description: Water samples were taken from the near surface and near bed bottles and frozen for nutrient analysis by NOC
SilicateQuantity: number of stations = 36
Description: Water samples were taken from the near surface and near bed bottles and frozen for nutrient analysis by NOC
Contamination 
Suspended matterQuantity: number of stations = 35
Description: Water samples were filtered to determine suspended sediment load and calibrate the CTD transmissometer. Water samples from the second near surface bottle from stations 1 and 21 were filtered suspended sediment determination. Filtrate was preserved with mercuric chloride for nutrient determination, (in addition samples at station 1 were taken for oxygen analysis).
Biology and fisheries 
Phytoplankton pigs (eg chlorophyll, fluorescence)Quantity: number of stations = 35
Description: The Sea-Bird 911 CTD recorded downwelling fluorescence at 24 Hz. 3 m above the bed. Water samples from the second near surface bottle from stations 1 and 21 were filtered for chlorophyll
Meteorology 
Routine standard measurementsQuantity: number of samples = 3069
Description: Sea-Bird 16plus S/N 4737 on base of frame with pumped conductivity sensor underneath. SeaPoint turbidity sensor taped to roll bar S/N 10489; set up for 0 - 125 FTU range. Sample interval 600 s; digiquartz integration time 40s, range 400; run pump 0.5s, 1 s delay.
Routine standard measurementsQuantity: number of samples = 6092
Description: Sea-Bird MicroCAT temperature and conductivity recorder Serial number 2991 (RS485) at 5m below the surface. Sample interval 600s. Reference pressure = 25dB. 3048 samples. Serial number 2506 at 10m below the surface. Sample interval 600s. Digiquartz pressure sensor. 3044 samples
Other meteorological measurementsQuantity: activity duration in days = 1
Description: Surface sampling system 3 m below sea level. Parameters recorded every minute by the WS Oceans system: Date, Solar Radiation, PAR, Air Temperature, Relative Humidity, Relative Wind Speed, Relative Wind Direction (zero indicates wind on the bow), Transmissance, Hull Temperature, Barometric Pressure, Fluorescence, Turbidity, Salinity, Minimum Air Temp, Maximum Air Temp, Wind Gust, GPS Time, Latitude, Longitude, Barometric Pressure Minimum, Barometric Pressure Maximum, Conductivity sensor water temperature
Moorings, landers, buoys 
Physical oceanography 
Current profiler (eg ADCP)53° 26' 59" N  3° 38' 39" W — Site B: Waves ADCP 600 kHz RDI 2390. Water depth 23.5m. Recovery and deployment
Current profiler (eg ADCP)53° 31' 56" N  3° 21' 14" W — Site A: Waves ADCP 600 kHz RDI 5807; battery pack 3285 2974 samples. Water depth 24.2m. Recovery and deployment
Surface drifters/drifting buoys53° 26' 52" N  3° 38' 44" W — Site B: SmartBuoy Mooring fitted with a surface CTD (including turbidity and fluorescence sensors). The frame was fitted with bags for the determination of bacterial degradation. Water depth 23.6 m. Recovery and deployment
Surface drifters/drifting buoys53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 36" W — Site A: The CEFAS SmartBuoy is fitted with one surface CTD, light sensors at 1 and 2 m below the surface, a water sampler which obtains water samples once per day for laboratory nutrient (TOXN and silicate; no filtration therefore no phosphate), fluorometer (SeaPoint), oxygen (Aanderaa Optode) and chlorophyll determination and an in situ NAS2E nutrient analyser. Water depth: 25.2m. Recovery and deployment
Data held at BODC Get data
Series/Profiles 
2  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
Sea level
Date and time
Vertical spatial coordinates
Vertical velocity of the water column (currents)
Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents)
Metadata parameters
Sea level

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
16233282006-08-15 18:50  — 2006-09-21 10:59:51 53° 32' 1" N  3° 21' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1623328
16233412006-08-16 11:00  — 2006-09-22 10:09:36 53° 26' 59" N  3° 38' 37" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1623341
18  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
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
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
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Quality control flags
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
16558892006-08-15 18:01 53° 27' 10" N  3° 22' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655889
16559082006-08-15 19:28 53° 37' 22" N  3° 22' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655908
16559212006-08-15 20:06 53° 42' 2" N  3° 22' 21" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655921
16558772006-08-15 10:57 53° 31' 46" N  3° 21' 29" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655877
16559572006-08-16 07:14 53° 26' 59" N  3° 39' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655957
16559692006-08-16 09:28 53° 26' 58" N  3° 38' 14" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655969
16559452006-08-15 21:31 53° 51' 36" N  3° 21' 55" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655945
16559332006-08-15 20:54 53° 47' 10" N  3° 21' 54" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655933
13124202006-08-16 09:28 53° 26' 58" N  3° 38' 14" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312420
13123402006-08-15 18:01 53° 27' 10" N  3° 22' 31" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312340
13123522006-08-15 18:48 53° 32' 9" N  3° 21' 32" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312352
13123642006-08-15 19:28 53° 37' 22" N  3° 22' 1" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312364
13123882006-08-15 20:54 53° 47' 10" N  3° 21' 54" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312388
13124072006-08-15 21:31 53° 51' 36" N  3° 21' 55" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312407
13123762006-08-15 20:06 53° 42' 2" N  3° 22' 21" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312376
13124192006-08-16 07:14 53° 26' 59" N  3° 39' 6" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312419
13123392006-08-15 10:57 53° 31' 46" N  3° 21' 29" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1312339
16558902006-08-15 18:48 53° 32' 9" N  3° 21' 32" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 1655890
2  Fluorometers
Reference numbers
Date and time
Raw fluorometer output
Reference numbers
Date and time
Raw fluorometer output

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
7470702006-08-16 07:30  — 2006-09-07 23:30 53° 27' 2" N  3° 38' 27" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747070
7471252006-08-15 13:00  — 2006-09-08 23:30 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747125
1  In-situ dissolved gas analyser
Reference numbers
Date and time
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
7473092006-08-15 13:00  — 2006-09-21 12:00 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747309
1  In-situ nutrient analyser
Reference numbers
Date and time
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
7474632006-08-22 17:38  — 2006-09-20 05:38 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747463
2  Moored CTD
Reference numbers
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Salinity of the water column
Temperature of the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
7469572006-08-16 07:30  — 2006-09-22 08:30 53° 27' 2" N  3° 38' 27" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 746957
7470212006-08-15 13:00  — 2006-09-21 12:00 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747021
2  Nephelometers and optical backscatter sensors
Reference numbers
Date and time
Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
7472422006-08-15 13:00  — 2006-09-21 12:00 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747242
7471862006-08-16 07:30  — 2006-09-07 23:30 53° 27' 2" N  3° 38' 27" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747186
1  Surface water sample (unspecified)
Reference numbers
Date and time
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Silicate concentration parameters in the water column
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
7475432006-08-16 00:00  — 2006-09-21 00:00 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747543
2  radiometers
Reference numbers
Date and time
Light extinction and diffusion coefficients
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Reference numbers
Date and time
Light extinction and diffusion coefficients
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column

BODC idDate/TimeLocationDoc.
7473582006-08-15 13:00  — 2006-09-08 18:30 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747358
7474142006-08-15 13:00  — 2006-09-08 18:30 53° 31' 59" N  3° 21' 47" W  View metadata report for BODC series reference number 747414
Discrete samples 
35  CTD frame plus rosette samplerTransmittance and attenuance of the water column
Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column
Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column
Salinity of 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
Visible waveband radiance and irradiance measurements in the water column
Density of the water column
Ammonium and ammonia concentration parameters in water bodies
Raw light meter output
Phaeopigment concentrations in the water column
Raw suspended particulate material concentration sensor output
Raw fluorometer output
Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column
Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies
4  Instrument mooring