CV16035 Biogeochemical Survey

CTD, plankton net and deployment of neuston net biogeochemical survey in the North Atlantic Ocean. A Biogeochemical sampling programme which aims to quantify and qualify a comprehensive range of water column characteristics including optical, chemical and biological properties in addition to micro-plastics measurements will be combined with a programme of zoological sampling including plankton, fish larvae, slaps and jelly fish. The objective overview is to integrate the results in order to investigate the links between the parameters mentioned above with the distribution and abundance of these organisms. Optics: The aim is to obtain a high-resolution picture of the underwater light field in contrasting environments and to qualify and quantify the light absorption/emission characteristics of the compounds that make up the colour dissolved organic matter (CDOM) pool. An objective of this programme is to obtain a set of optical data that can be combined with other data sets from real time observations collected from Coastal Monitoring Stations. This will be combined with data collected on pico and nano plankton populations. Chemical experiments: Nutrient and trace metal analysis will take place. A key objective, involving both trace metals and CDOM, is to examine links in distribution patterns with the photodegradation history of the optically active organic materials. Microplastics: This work aims to assess and categorise the plastic compounds found in Irish waters and to constrain their transport and cycling pathways from source to sink. Another aim of this survey is to carry out a Radon/Radium analysis of seawater from several different aquatic environments. The objective of these experiments will be firstly to develop a model that describes the depositional rate and transport mechanisms of these elements in an Irish inshore to offshore context. Zoological sampling: Jellyfish and fish larvae. The main objective of the jellyfish survey is to ground truth the surface abundance counts of these animals. The objective of the fish larvae survey is to collect data on species abundance.