<p>The purpose of WestMedFlux is to study thermal fields in ocean-continent transition zones in the Western Mediterranean, and the role of fluids and salt diapirs on the thermal field.</p>
This equipment trials cruise has provided opportunities for test and verification of technology under development at the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL), the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOC,S). This includes equipment developed during the first year of funding under OCEANS 2025 (theme 8). Testing technology in the ocean environment is invaluable in assessing fitness for purpose. Specifically, the cruise tested: A Spar wave buoy (NOC,S) biogeochemical sensors (NOC,S); an UAV system (NOC,S); a video grab system "HyBis" (NOC,S), A benthic Multicore (NOC,S), A benthic lander and associated torroidal Telemetry buoy (POL), and a shallow tow towfish (POL). Testing in Spanish waters (near Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura) has been invaluable. The time on passage has been minimised (the transition from deep to shallow water is less than a days steaming) and the calm conditions to the southwest of the islands in the consistent prevailing north easterly winds have enabled deployment and recovery techniques to be tried and optimised in safety.
Overall objectives in the EU GO project are to assess the promising potential of seismic imaging for physical oceanography, in view of its combination of fine resolution and coverage unmatched by conventional oceanographic measurements. D318 was to provide the means of assessment by obtaining a unique, comprehensive, oceanographic and seismic dataset at the same time and place. Specific objectives for R.R.S. Discovery cruise 318a were to deploy four ADCP moorings, three adjacent temperature-logger moorings and STABLE, in an L-shape array in 750-1000m depth east of Portimao Canyon, carrying out adjacent CTD stations, deploy two OBH moorings, carry out seismic sections using the Ifremer high-frequency air-guns and streamer, accompanied by regular XBT and less frequent XCTD casts. In addition underway data was logged including ship-borne ADCP, surface temperature and salinity, meteorology, gravity and magnetics (to test new NERC magnetometers).
Characterization of the Quaternary and Neogene sedimentary cover of the NW Atlantic shelf zone off Morocco and Quaternary deformations. This falls under the ANR ISIS project.
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
<p>The PRISME cruise objectives were to: - quantify the risk of earthquake-induced sedimentary liquefaction (for areas studied on the Algerian margin and slope off Nice, France); - quantify the risk of instability and failure due to loss of resistance in sensitive clay (slope off Nice); - quantify the risk of slope breaks and erosion caused by bottom currents (canyon heads - gulf of Lion); - identify the triggering factors for slides seen off Ibiza; - and begin to identify the turbidity related to seismic activity along the Algerian margin. This falls under the ANR-Isis an dGDR Marges projects. The cruise took place on 5 sites: Site 1A - Gulf of Lion - North: N 42° 50.00' South: N 42° 40.00' West: E 003° 35.00' East: E 004° 0.00' / Site 2B - Ibiza channel - North: N 38° 39.00' South: N 38° 37.50' West: E 000° 47.00' East: E 000° 51.00' / Site 3A - Alger - North: N 37° 30.00' South: N 36° 40.00' West: E 002° 00.00' East: E 004° 00.00' / Site 3B - Djijel North: N 37° 30.00' South: N 37° 00.00' West: E 005° 00.00' East: E 004° 00.00' / Site 4A - Djijel North: N 43° 40.00' South: N 43° 38.00' West: E 007° 12.00' East: E 007° 15.00'.</p>
<p>Sea recovery of all components of a stratospheric balloon: balloon envelope, parachutes, and gondolas. Test of new gamma detectors and characterization of solar panels for the Strateole project. There has been no work done at sea after balloon fly. The balloon flight took place. The climb path was consistent with the expected. However the ceiling track was a little south and a little slower than expected. The ball has arrived above the sea but too south. Down a bit low, he found the westerly winds that brought him back to earth. Separating late flight and recovery have made campaigning in the Basque country.</p>
Studying the role played by formation of deep water in the chemical composition and budgets of matter in the Mediterranean. Understanding the relationships between the way plankton food webs are organized and the hydrodynamic structures. The related project is MISTRALS - MerMEX.
SHOM cruise between Brest and Lisbon
Transit.