The cruise is a component of RAPID-WATCH, whose objectives are: to deliver a decade-long time series of calibrated and quality-controlled measurements of the Atlantic MOC from the RAPID-WATCH array and; to exploit the data from the RAPID-WATCH array and elsewhere to determine and interpret recent changes in the Atlantic MOC, assess the risk of rapid climate change, and investigate the potential for predictions of the MOC and its impacts on climate. Objectives of this cruise: to recover, calibrate and redeploy moorings from the eastern boundary and mid-Atlantic ridge subarrays of the 26.5N line of RAPID moorings.
Acoustic measurements.
Assessment of chemical contamination in coastal water masses (Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily canal), using artificial stations of mussels. The MYTILOS1 cruise aimed to utilize the RINBIO network methodology around the western Mediterranean, in the northern part of the NW Basin. Experiments run in the French Mediterranean since 1996 by IFREMER were to be extended to Southern Mediterranean coasts, i.e. Spanish, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian coasts, as well as the Sicily Canal in Italy, on the basis of a standardized protocol. The data from MYTILOS2 cruise will supplement those obtained in 2004 and 2005 during the RINBIOC1 and MYTILOS1 cruises by including the coasts of North Africa, Southern Spain and the island of Pantelleria. In addition, the results will be used to complement the chemical contamination budget drawn up in the framework of the European Water Framework Directive's implementation. The survey was based on 2 major actions: 1) Artificial mussel stations were placed and recovered along a shoreline between Malaga (Spain) and Sicily (Italy), including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. 2) Sediment samples in addition to mussels samples were taken upon the partners' request. This falls under the MEDICIS project.
Participation in validating the CAROLS airborne L band radiometer, during flights on ATR42. CTD/LADCP stations performed on repeated sections around the Bay of Biscay and calibration of CTD tags intended for deployment on sea elephants. The related projects are CAROLS, SMOS (TOSCA/CNES and ESA), EPIGRAM (LEFE/IDAHO).
Transit.
Technological trials run on seismic equipment developed by the SERCEL firm.
CD170 was a collaborative cruise with the Knorr cruise KN182_2. The latter cruise was conducted between 2 May 2005 and 26 May 2005. These cruises were completed as part of the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded RAPID Programme and the US National Science Federation (NSF) funded MOCHA Programme to monitor the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26.5 degrees North. The primary purpose of both cruises was to service the 26.5 degrees North mooring array deployed in 2004 during RRS Discovery cruises D277 and D278. These cruises are the first annual refurbishment of this array.
<p style="text-align:justify">The main objective of the observing system MOOSE is to monitor the long-term evolution of the north-western Mediterranean Sea (over more than 10 years) in the context of climate change and anthropogenic pressure in order to detect and identify the trend and environmental anomalies of the marine ecosystem. The MOOSE network aims to establish an integrated and multidisciplinary system in the Mediterranean Sea in accordance with the objectives of the national MISTRALS program (HyMeX, MeRMEX and ChARMeX). The MOOSE system is supported by national institutes (CNRS-INSU, French Ministry of Higher Education and Research) and involved different partners (Universities, IFREMER, Meteo France).</p> <p style="text-align:justify">The MOOSE network includes "multi-scale" measurement capabilities to accurately document the broad spectrum of hydrodynamic processes already identified (large scale eddies, mesoscale eddies, biogeochemical provinces). High temporal resolution measurements are obtained from fixed observatories (moorings, buoys) but their spatial distribution remains insufficient. Spatial variability is of the same order as temporal variability and understanding the evolution of this basin as a whole implies being able to dissociate both. Synergy with other strategies (ships, floats, gliders) is essential for the establishment of an observation network in such a system. To address the issues identified by MOOSE, two key areas of the north-western basin have been identified:</p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify">The central and western part of the Ligurian Sea, which constitutes a homogeneous system isolated from direct coastal inputs by rivers and where atmospheric inputs are predominant (DYFAMED and ANTARES). It is also one of the entrance passages of the Intermediate Levantine Water (LIW) in the north-western Mediterranean basin.</li> <li style="text-align:justify">The central area of the Gulf of Lion where winter cooling leads to vertical mixing over 2000 m and sometimes to the bottom. The LION site (42°N 5°E) is ideal for studying the variability of winter convection to better understand mixing processes and dense water formation. It also characterizes the variability of the deep particle flow.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align:justify">Currently, fixed observation at these sites is carried out by six moorings:</p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify">The Planier and Lacaze-Duthiers moorings composed of sediment traps and T/S sensors and current meters, for dense water cascading and particle export studies. These moorings have been set up since 1994 and managed by CEFREM.</li> <li style="text-align:justify">The LION mooring, consisting of a large number of T/S sensors, current meters, and two oxygen sensors, is in the Gulf of Lion convection zone. It has been deployed since 2007, and is managed by CEFREM and LOCEAN. A sediment trap near the bottom has also been present for 2 years in this area (LIONCEAU mooring). The latter will be integrated into the LION mooring in 2019.</li> <li style="text-align:justify">The ANTARES mooring is located in the North Current off Toulon and equipped with T/S sensors, current meters and oxygen sensors to quantify the bacteria activity and organic matter remineralization process in a deep marine environment. It exists since 2004, it is managed by the M.I.O. and the CPPM (Marseille). This mooring is part of the ERIC EMSO since 2017.</li> <li style="text-align:justify">The DYFAMED mooring, in the Ligurian Sea, equipped with sediment traps, T/S sensors, current meters and oxygen sensors to monitor the evolution of the water column, the impact of atmospheric dust deposition and marine particles export to deep waters. It exists since 1988, it is currently managed by the Oceanological Observatory of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This mooring is part of the ERIC EMSO since 2017.
SHOM oceanographic cruise
Hydrography and physical oceanography cruise for the French Navy's hydrographic and oceanographic service (SHOM).