CTD data collected from MOCNESS hauls on R/V Oceanus and R/V New Horizon in the western North Atlantic from 2011-2012 (OAPS project)
Project
Programs
| Contributors | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Lawson, Gareth | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) | Principal Investigator |
| Wiebe, Peter H. | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Allison, Dicky | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) | BCO-DMO Data Manager |
A standard 1-m2 Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS; Wiebe et al., 1985) was used to collect zooplankton to determine the taxonomic composition of the zooplankton in the study site with a specific focus on the shell bearing thecosomatous pteropods. It was also used to ground truth acoustic data collected with the HTI multi-frequency system and the Edgetech broadband system.
These data are the CTD data collected during the 1 meter2 MOCNESS tows. They provide standard environmental measurements simultaneously with the collection of the animals.
Fluorescence, oxygen and irradiance data were not collected from this instrument system.
From the MOCNESS Operating Instruction Manual: "The nets are opened and closed sequentially by commands through a single conductor armored cable from the surface. The electronics has 16-bits of resolution and the basic data stream consists of temperature, depth, conductivity, frame angle, flow counts, net number and net response. ;An acquisition/controller computer retrieves data from the underwater unit at a rate of up to 4 times a second. Temperature (to approximately 0.01 deg C) and conductivity are measured with SEABIRD sensors. A modified T.S.K. flowmeter is normally used to measure flow past the net. Both the temperature and salinity sensors and the flowmeter are attached to brackets which are mounted on the top portion of the frame so that they face directly into the flow when the frame is at a towing angle of 45 deg. An electronic pendulum angle transducer measures the angle of the towed net through the water. A GPS unit providing latitude and longitude [is] integrated into the data stream." (p. 7)
Oxygen, fluorescence, and irradiance data were not collected for this dataset.
To continue from the MOCNESS Manual:" A microcomputer (together with disk drive and printer) are the deck unit and permit shipboard real-time data acquisition and processing as well as net control. Salinity (to approximately 0.01 ppt), net oblique velocity and vertical velocity, and volume filtered by each net is calculated after each string of data has been received by the computer. Raw and processed data are stored on disc (in separate files) and processed data can be printed out. Plots of net depth versus time, temperature and salinity versus depth, temperature versus salinity and latitude versus longitude are made during a tow and displayed on the computer screen." (p. 7)
See data object ctd_mocness for explicit processing information for each tow.
| File |
|---|
ctd_mocness_conf.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 15.45 MB) MD5:10d9446f735c5a35b30b3762ef153cfd Primary data file for dataset ID 3569 |
Relationship Description: CTD Data associated with original MOCNESS tows (Original MOCNESS logs associated with scanned samples (ZooSCAN images)).
| Parameter | Description | Units |
| cruiseid | cruise identification, e.g. NBP0202, for RVIB Palmer cruise 0202 | |
| temp | temperature of water | degrees C |
| datatype | sampling method - instrument type, e.g. MOCNESS-1 or MOCNESS-10 | |
| year | year | |
| tow | tow number | |
| day_local | day of month, local, 1-31 | |
| month_local | month of year, local, 1 - 12 | |
| station | station number, from event log | |
| yrday_local | year day as a decimal, based on Julian calendar, local | YYY.Y |
| time_local | time, local, using 24 hour clock to decimal minutes | HHmm.m |
| press | depth of observation or sample | meters |
| potemp | potential temperature or theta11Fofonoff and Millard, 1983, UNESCO technical papers in Marine Sciences, #44 | |
| sal | salinity calculated from conductivity, bad values are set to 50 | |
| sigma_0 | potential density1 1Fofonoff and Millard, 1983, UNESCO technical papers in Marine Sciences, #44 | |
| angle | angle of net frame relative to vertical (0-89 degrees) | degrees |
| flow | consecutive flow counts | |
| hzvel | horizontal net velocity | m/min |
| vtvel | vertical net velocity | m/min |
| vol_filt | volume filtered | meters3 |
| net | MOCNESS net number, (00-08) | |
| lat | latitude, negative = South | DD.D |
| lon | longitude, negative = West | DDD.D |
| Dataset-specific Instrument Name | CTD MOCNESS |
| Generic Instrument Name | CTD MOCNESS |
| Generic Instrument Description | The CTD part of the MOCNESS includes 1) a pressure (depth) sensor which is a thermally isolated titanium strain gauge with a standard range of 0-5000 decibars full scale, 2) A Sea Bird temperature sensor whose frequency output is measured and sent to the surface for logging and conversion to temperature by the software in the MOCNESS computer (The system allows better than 1 milli-degree resolution at 10 Hz sampling rate), and 3) A Sea Bird conductivity sensor whose output frequency is measured and sent to the surface for logging and conversion to conductivity by the software in the computer (The system allows better than 1 micro mho/cm at 10 Hz sampling rate). The data rate depends on the speed of the computer and the quality of the cable. With a good cable, the system can operate at 2400 baud, sampling all variables at 2 times per second. One sample every 4 seconds is the default, although the hardware can operate much faster. (From The MOCNESS Manual) |
| Dataset-specific Instrument Name | |
| Generic Instrument Name | Hydroacoustic Technology Incorporated echosounder |
| Generic Instrument Description | The Hydroacoustic Technology Inc. (HTI) multi-frequency system is a towed digital split-beam/single-beam hydroacoustic system designed specifically to assess the abundance and distribution of fish and plankton. Digital signal processing hardware is combined with a MS Windows2000/XP -based user interface to produce results in real time. (http://www.htisonar.com/multi_frequency_echo_sounder.htm) |
| Dataset-specific Instrument Name | MOCNESS1 |
| Generic Instrument Name | MOCNESS1 |
| Dataset-specific Description | The MOCNESS was equipped with eight 150-um mesh nets (nets 1-8; borrowed from URI) and one 333-um mesh net (net 0). The underwater unit used was #169. In addition to the standard temperature and conductivity probes the system also had a beta-type strobe-light unit for reducing avoidance of the nets by some zooplankton and possibly small fish. The strobe system has two units each with 12 LED sets (LUXEON Rebel LED) with peak output between 490-520 nm. Seven of the 24 LED sets were no longer working at the start of the sampling. The LEDs are powered by the MOCNESS battery and their pulse width, amplitude, flash rate period, and on/off are controlled by the MOCNESS software. For this cruise the pulse width was 2 ms, the relative amplitude was 99%, and the flash interval was 100 ms. |
| Generic Instrument Description | The Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System or MOCNESS is a family of net systems based on the Tucker Trawl principle. The MOCNESS-1 carries nine 1-m2 nets usually of 335 micrometer mesh and is intended for use with the macrozooplankton. All nets are black to reduce contrast with the background. A motor/toggle release assembly is mounted on the top portion of the frame and stainless steel cables with swaged fittings are used to attach the net bar to the toggle release. A stepping motor in a pressure compensated case filled with oil turns the escapement crankshaft of the toggle release which sequentially releases the nets to an open then closed position on command from the surface. -- from the MOCNESS Operations Manual (1999 + 2003). |
OC473
| Website | |
| Platform | R/V Oceanus |
| Report | |
| Start Date | 2011-08-07 |
| End Date | 2011-09-01 |
| Description | The primary objective of the proposed research is to quantify the distribution, abundance, species composition, shell condition, and vertical migratory behavior of oceanic thecosome pteropods in the northwest Atlantic and northeast Pacific, and correlate these quantities to hydrography and concurrent measurements of carbonate chemistry, including vertical and horizontal distributions of aragonite saturation. During OC473, the first cruise in the Atlantic, a combination of underway data collection and station activities will be conducted along a transect spanning 15 degrees of latitude (35° to 50° N) in the northwest Atlantic, employing six instrument packages: (1) a 1-m2 MOCNESS plankton net system; (2) a profiling Video Plankton Recorder / CTD package, including bottles for water sampling; (3) a deep (500m) towed broadband acoustic scattering system ; 94) a hull-mounted narrowband multi-frequency acoustic scattering system. It is possible that the hull mounted transducers will suffer from noise when the vessel is underway and so as a backup we will have a surface-towed sled with a backup complement of transducers; 5) an underway multi-parameter inorganic carbon analyzer and 6) a suite of chemistry-related instruments including a DIC auto-analyzer for discret bottle sample analysis, an alkalinity auto-titrator for bottle analysis and an Agilent spectrophotometer for discrete pH measurement.
Supporting documentation:Cruise track image
Cruise information and original data are available from the NSF R2R data catalog. Methods & Sampling A strobe array was attached near the mouth of the net to blind krill and other fast swimming visual plankton, thereby reducing avoidance. |
NH1208
| Website | |
| Platform | R/V New Horizon |
| Report | |
| Start Date | 2012-08-09 |
| End Date | 2012-09-18 |
| Description | The primary objective of this cruise was to quantify the distribution, abundance, species composition, shell condition, and vertical migratory behavior of oceanic thecosome pteropods in the northeast Pacific, and correlate these quantities to concurrent measurements of carbonate chemistry. Underway data collection and station activities were conducted on a transect running between 35 and 50N along CLIVAR line P17N.
Six instrument types were used: (1) a 1-m2 MOCNESS plankton net system and a 1-m diameter Reeve net; (2) a profiling Video Plankton Recorder mounted on the CTD package that includes a Rosette system with Niskin bottles for water sampling; (3) a deep (500 meter) towed broadband acoustic scattering system; (4) a surface narrowband multi-frequency acoustic scattering system; (5) an underway multi-parameter inorganic carbon analyzer and a GO underway pCO2 system; and (6) a suite of chemistry-related lab instruments for bottle sample analysis including a DIC auto-analyzer, an alkalinity auto-titrator, and an Agilent spectrophotometer for pH measurement. The R/V New Horizon departed from Newport OR, and set a course for the transect start point at 50N 150W. Following instrument package test deployments over the continental shelf, the transect ran in a single zig-zag between the start point and the end at 35N 135W; a total of 34 stations were sampled along the transect, every 1/2 degree of latitude. In addition 10 other stations were sampled with a Reeve net for live experimental pteropods. The science party, divided into biology and chemistry teams conducted 24-hour operations.
Cruise information and original data are available from the NSF R2R data catalog. Methods & Sampling Test station 1, MOC-1 to 50 meters had the strobe on. MOC-2 failed at 712 meters with the strobe firing from 3 to 300 meters; only net 0 collected plankton. During MOC-3, the strobe fired from 370m down to 1000m and back up to the surface. MOC-4 strobe did not fire and electronics failed at 420m. The strobe unit was removed after that and subsequent tows were successful. |
Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Thecosome Pteropods in Relation to Carbonate Chemistry in the Northwest Atlantic and Northeast Pacific (OAPS)
Modified version of the NSF award abstract:
The impact of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems represents a vital question facing both marine scientists and managers of ocean resources. Thecosome pteropods are a group of calcareous planktonic molluscs widely distributed in coastal and open ocean pelagic ecosystems of the world¡¦s oceans. These animals secrete an aragonite shell, and thus are highly sensitive to ocean acidification due to the water column's changing carbonate chemistry, and particularly the shoaling of the aragonite compensation depth at which seawater becomes corrosive to aragonite. In many regions, however, relatively little is known about the abundance, distribution, vertical migratory behavior, and ecological importance of pteropods. Assessing the likely ecosystem consequences of changes in pteropod dynamics resulting from ocean acidification will require a detailed understanding of pteropod distribution and abundance relative to changing aragonite saturation in the water column.
The primary objective of this project is to quantify the distribution, abundance, species composition, shell condition, and vertical migratory behavior of oceanic thecosome pteropods in the northwest Atlantic and northeast Pacific, and correlate these quantities to hydrography and concurrent measurements of carbonate chemistry, including vertical and horizontal distributions of aragonite saturation. In particular, the project will capitalize on present-day variability in the depth distribution of aragonite saturation levels within and between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as a "natural experiment" to address the hypotheses that pteropod vertical distribution, species composition, and abundance vary as the compensation depth becomes shallower. Secondary objectives are to develop acoustic protocols for the remote quantification of pteropod abundance for future integration into ocean acidification monitoring networks, and to characterize carbonate chemistry and nutrients along portions of two WOCE/CLIVAR Repeat Hydrography transects (A20 in the Atlantic and P17N in the Pacific) to identify decadal-scale changes in the carbonate system. These hypotheses and objectives will be addressed through two cruises along survey transects between 35 and 50 degrees North in the northwest Atlantic and northeast Pacific involving a combination of station-work and underway measurements, and a comprehensive array of instruments, including acoustic, optical, towed net, hydrographic, and carbonate chemistry sensors and sampling systems.
This highly inter-disciplinary project, combines expertise in zooplankton ecology, acoustics, and marine chemistry. The proposed work will result in a detailed baseline understanding of variability in the horizontal and vertical distribution, as well as species composition, of thecosome pteropods in the northwest Atlantic and northeast Pacific, making a key contribution to zooplankton ecology generally. In addition, by quantifying the response to current spatial variability within and between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the project will provide important information on the likely response of pteropod distribution to future changes in the vertical distribution of aragonite saturation levels, a necessary component in modeling the impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystem function, services, and resources.
Ocean acidification is increasingly appreciated as an urgent societal concern. Thecosome pteropods are key prey for a variety of commercially-exploited fish species, and the improved understanding the PIs seek of pteropod distribution and likely response to changing water column carbonate chemistry will have important implications for our understanding of potential effects of ocean acidification on marine resources.
Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES): Ocean Acidification (formerly CRI-OA) (SEES-OA)
NSF Climate Research Investment (CRI) activities that were initiated in 2010 are now included under Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability NSF-Wide Investment (SEES). SEES is a portfolio of activities that highlights NSF's unique role in helping society address the challenge(s) of achieving sustainability. Detailed information about the SEES program is available from NSF (https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504707).
In recognition of the need for basic research concerning the nature, extent and impact of ocean acidification on oceanic environments in the past, present and future, the goal of the SEES: OA program is to understand (a) the chemistry and physical chemistry of ocean acidification; (b) how ocean acidification interacts with processes at the organismal level; and (c) how the earth system history informs our understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on the present day and future ocean.
Solicitations issued under this program:
NSF 10-530, FY 2010-FY2011
NSF 12-500, FY 2012
NSF 12-600, FY 2013
NSF 13-586, FY 2014
NSF 13-586 was the final solicitation that will be released for this program.
PI Meetings:
1st U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(March 22-24, 2011, Woods Hole, MA)
2nd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting(Sept. 18-20, 2013, Washington, DC)
3rd U.S. Ocean Acidification PI Meeting (June 9-11, 2015, Woods Hole, MA – Tentative)
NSF media releases for the Ocean Acidification Program:
Press Release 10-186 NSF Awards Grants to Study Effects of Ocean Acidification
Discovery Blue Mussels "Hang On" Along Rocky Shores: For How Long?
Press Release 13-102 World Oceans Month Brings Mixed News for Oysters
Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB)
The Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB) program focuses on the ocean's role as a component of the global Earth system, bringing together research in geochemistry, ocean physics, and ecology that inform on and advance our understanding of ocean biogeochemistry. The overall program goals are to promote, plan, and coordinate collaborative, multidisciplinary research opportunities within the U.S. research community and with international partners. Important OCB-related activities currently include: the Ocean Carbon and Climate Change (OCCC) and the North American Carbon Program (NACP); U.S. contributions to IMBER, SOLAS, CARBOOCEAN; and numerous U.S. single-investigator and medium-size research projects funded by U.S. federal agencies including NASA, NOAA, and NSF.
The scientific mission of OCB is to study the evolving role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle, in the face of environmental variability and change through studies of marine biogeochemical cycles and associated ecosystems.
The overarching OCB science themes include improved understanding and prediction of: 1) oceanic uptake and release of atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases and 2) environmental sensitivities of biogeochemical cycles, marine ecosystems, and interactions between the two.
The OCB Research Priorities (updated January 2012) include: ocean acidification; terrestrial/coastal carbon fluxes and exchanges; climate sensitivities of and change in ecosystem structure and associated impacts on biogeochemical cycles; mesopelagic ecological and biogeochemical interactions; benthic-pelagic feedbacks on biogeochemical cycles; ocean carbon uptake and storage; and expanding low-oxygen conditions in the coastal and open oceans.
| Funding Source | Award |
|---|---|
| NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) |
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