Marine

MRV Scotia: Survey 1914S – Cruise Programme

November 17, 2014 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Marine Directorate general, Marine Directorate Science, Research Vessel Surveys

Duration: 7 – 22 December 2014

Loading: Aberdeen, 4 December 2014

Unloading: Aberdeen, 22 December 2014

Fishing Gear: Sea-Bird CTD/Carousel, sledge with OPC and CTD, day grab, Hammon grab

Objectives

1.  Perform routine hydrographic sampling at stations along the long term monitoring JONSIS section in the northern North Sea.
2. Perform routine hydrographic sampling at stations along the long term monitoring Faroe-Shetland Channel sections: Fair Isle-Munken and Nolso-Flugga.
3. Conduct combined plankton/hydrographic observations by deploying the sledge with OPC/CTD at previous Aries stations in the Faroe-Shetland-Channel.
4. Take nutrient, chlorophyll, TA/DIC samples along standard lines.
5. Make CDOM fluorometry measurements for hydrocarbons along the monitoring lines and take up to 20 HC samples of calibration.
6. Take water samples for bacterial analysis by Heriot Watt University at locations along the long term monitoring sections.
7. Take microplastics samples at standard stations including full depth profile along the long term monitoring sections.
8. Take grab samples at selected stations along the Nolso-Flugga line using the day grab and test the Hammon grab.
9. If sheltering in a suitable location (around Shetland, Orkney, Pentland Firth) due to bad weather conduct VMADCP survey.
10. In case that there is time conduct sampling along the following sections (in order of priority):

•  Fair-Isle-Munken FASTNET stations (“J-line”);
• Faroe-Cape Wrath Z (FCW, possibly with extension);
• Shelf edge lines 1-4 in the Faroe-Shetland-Channel.

Figure 1: The three main monitoring lines Jonsis, FIM and NOL (including FCW line).

General Procedure

After departing Aberdeen and completing appropriate drills, the vessel will proceed to the eastern end of the JONSIS line and complete hydrographic stations in a westerly direction (Table 1, Figure 1).

The vessel will then proceed to the Faroe-Shetland Channel. Depending on weather conditions we will commence hydrographic sampling and OPC measurements at selected stations along the Fair Isle-Munken survey line.

On completion of the Fair Isle-Munken line the vessel will proceed to conduct hydrographic sampling and OPC measurements at selected stations on the Nolso Flugga survey line. Towed deployments of the OPC sampler will be carried out only at selected stations along the two lines in the Faroe-Shetland-Channel. In addition grab samples will be taken at selected stations along the Nolso Flugga line. Additional sampling (HC, microplastics, etc.) will occur along the standard stations.

In case we are sheltering in a suitable location (around Shetland, Orkney, Pentland Firth) we will use the opportunity to conduct VMADCP surveys.

After completing the above three main priority monitoring lines, we will sample along other sections listed as options above.

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