Characterizing the variability of hydrological and current features and particulate fluxes on the continental rise of the Gulf of Lion and in the deep convection zone. Monitoring of deep benthic communities in the western canyons and on the continental rise of the Gulf of Lion. This cruise was associated with the HERMES and EXTREMA projects.
The main testable hypothesis of the proposed work is: Atmospheric inputs control rates of primary production and microbial diversity in oceanic waters where nutrients are limiting. The objectives of the project are to: 1. Obtain an improved temporal and spatial estimate of atmospheric dust inputs to the tropical N Atlantic through collections on a dedicated SOLAS process cruise. 2. Obtain an improved estimate of the seawater dissolution of N, P, Fe and Zn species from aerosol dust. 3. Determine the impact of atmospheric dust derived micronutrients on microbial community production and species diversity in the surface microlayer and underlying waters. In addition, researchers from the Archer/Geider group were on-board. The overall aim of their research was to determine the extent to which the photoprotective roles of DMSP and QAs influence their production rates in marine surface waters and hence, the production of their volatile breakdown products. The cruise objectives for this work were to: 1. relate DMSP and QAC concentrations to plankton community structure, light regime, photoinhibition, xanthophyll cycle and MAA accumulation in varying oceanic provinces and over diel cycles. 2. determine the potential for photoinhibition and DMSP/GBT turnover in natural phytoplankton in contrasting oceanic provinces. The cruise departed Tenerife on February 5, 2008, and we have conducted regular stations (typically 2 per day) along the cruise track. The track took us into the oligotrophic Atlantic waters, productive Cape Verde waters, and tropical waters with very high nitrogen fixation (judged initially from the Trichodesmium concentrations). The various researchers and groups have also started a range of biological experiments at different sites along the cruise track. We have encountered a major dust event in week 2, and then from week 3 of the cruise we encountered large amounts of dust. We have visited the TENATSO time series site near the Cape Verdes and have undertaken an extensive set of measurements there. We have collected the atmospheric dust for elemental analyses (at UEA and NOCS), and also to produce leachates which are used on board for biological experiments. We have undertaken sampling of the water column to analyse for dissolved and particulate metals, nutrients, dissolved organic matter, amino acids, hemes, thiols and phytochelatin synthase expression. In addition, nitrogen fixation measurements were undertaken, in tandem with nifh gene sampling. Nitrate uptake experiments have been conducted. Furthermore, bacterial phosphate uptake experiments have been undertaken using addition of collected dust. Halocarbon and DMS gas measurements have been conducted during the cruise. In addition, experiments have been undertaken by the Archer/Geider group on effects of high sun light exposure on DMS and GBT production. The cruise has been very successful with a minimum of lost time.
These mooring operations were completed as a part of the United Kingdom Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded RAPID Programme to monitor the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26.5°N. The primary purpose of this cruise was to service the Eastern Boundary and Mid-Atlantic Ridge sections of the 26.5°N mooring array first deployed during RRS Discovery cruises D277 and D278 (SOC cruise report number 53), and serviced in 2005 during RRS Charles Darwin cruise CD177 (NOCS cruise report number 5), in 2006 on RRS Discovery cruise D304 (NOCS cruise report number 16) and FS Poseidon cruises P343 and P345 (NOCS cruise report number 28) and in 2007 on RRS Discovery cruise D324 (NOCS cruise report number 34). Cruise D334 started and finished in Tenerife, Spain and covered the Eastern Boundary and Mid-Atlantic Ridge moorings deployed on D324 and P343. This cruise was the fourth annual refurbishment of the Eastern Boundary and Mid-Atlantic Ridge sections of the mooring array. The array will be further refined and refurbished during subsequent years. The instruments deployed consist of a variety of current meters, bottom pressure recorders, CTD loggers and Inverted Echosounders, which, combined with time series measurements of the Florida Straits current and wind stress estimates, will be used to determine the strength and structure of the MOC at 26.5°N.
SHOM oceanographic cruise
The area in between the Audierne and St. Nazaire canyons (Gascogne) along the Armorican margin was one of the areas where the "massifs coralliens" were described for the very first time. Within the framework of the HERMES (EC FP6), MiCROSYSTEMS (ESF) and GeNeSis (FWO) projects, this area will be surveyed using multibeam and high resolution seismics during LEG 1. Based on this site survey, the ROV Genesis will be deployed to carry out detailed mapping of these deep-water "hot-spots". Also the hydrography and sediment dynamics of this area will be studied with respect to the steering of the present ecosystems. LEG 2 will focus on the Galicia bank. This location has been assigned as reference area within the ESF project BIOFUN. In addition to a bathymetric and seismic surveying, also biological sampling and experiments are planned here.
SHOM oceanographic cruise
Assessment of small pelagic species resources in the Gulf of Lion using echo-integration and trawl hauls to identify the observed echoes. This falls under the SIDEPECHE project.
Characterizing the variability of hydrological and current features and particulate fluxes on the continental rise of the Gulf of Lion and in the deep convection zone. Monitoring of deep benthic communities in the western canyons and on the continental rise of the Gulf of Lion.
Studies on food safety and quality changes of fish\nmain tasks:\n- Sampling of fish species for contaminant analysis in relation to the fishing area\n- Sampling of fish for various other analytical purposes \n- Investigation on nematodes in fish\n- microbiological studies
Weekly cruise to monitorize physical and chemical variables in Rias Baixas (Galicia)