R/V Wecoma Research Cruise - July 2008

Date: July 10-28
Chief Scientist: Byron Crump
Research Vessel: R/V Wecoma
Blog: Chief Scientist
Blog: Cruise Videos
Data: Cruise Data

SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES
1.Occupy a grid of stations over the Oregon and Washington continental shelf and slope to measure hydrographic (T, S, pressure), bio-optical (chlorophyll fluorescence, light transmission) and chemical (nitrate, dissolved oxygen) parameters. Combine these data with ADCP measurements of subsurface velocity to explore biophysical interactions.

2.Collect water samples for membrane lipid and DNA- and RNA-based microbial community analyses, bacterial production and primary production rates and water chemistry studies across environmental gradients in pelagic environments of the Columbia River estuary, the Columbia River plume, the Columbia River estuary and along established sampling lines along the Oregon and Washington coasts. Estuary sampling will be coordinated with the R/V Barnes, which will be sampling the Estuarine Turbidity Maxima in the North and South Channels.

3.Collect surface sediments in Columbia River, estuary, plume and at a few sites on coastal lines using a multicore.

4.Make continuous measurements of surface water chemistry with several devices attached to the continuous flow seawater system.

5. Feature Tracking exercise using the SWAP system and model-based now-cast/forecast system to follow the Columbia River Plume.

6. Two 24-hour Surface Water Mass Tracking surveys using the SWAP system and model-based now-cast/forecast system to follow coastal water starting at NH-10 and the Columbia River Plume beginning at the end of a strong ebb tide. Dye releases may be used.

DETAILED CRUISE PLAN
Wecoma cruise plan (.doc)

CRUISE RESULTS

» 333 CTD casts
» 121 water samples
» 8 sediment cores
» Feature tracking
» 100m isobath CTD survey
» Salinity tracking studies
» Drifter studies of diel changes in surface water