+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | ATLANTIS CRUISE SYNOPSIS | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Voyage - Leg: AT 15-14 Voyage Dates: 11 Dec 2006 - 5 Jan 2007 Chief Sci(s): Jim Ledwell,Susan Mills (Mullineaux) Address: MS 12 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA 02543 Phone: (508) 289-3305 Email: jledwell@whoi.edu Cruise Objective: This is the second of three cruises of the LADDER project, which aims to address the following questions (see [1]http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~ant/LADDER for details): Bio-1) What are the influences of advection and eddy diffusion on the maximal dispersal distance of vent species with given larval life spans? Bio-2) What are the effects of ontogenetic changes in larval behavior (i.e., vertical positioning) on species' dispersal distances? Bio-3) How are the probabilities that larvae will be lost from the ridge system influenced by topography and flow? Might the axial summit trough inhibit off-axis transport of larvae, and serve as a conduit between habitable vent sites? PO-1) What are the mean and temporally varying flows in the vicinity of a mid-ocean ridge crest, and what is their spatial structure and coherence? PO-2) What is the magnitude of the diapycnal diffusivity near the ridge crest? PO-3) How rapid is lateral dispersion, and how effective is lateral homogenization by eddy diffusion near the ridge crest? Science Activities: In order to address these questions, an observational program will be carried out on the crest of the East Pacific Rise near 9:50N. The main activities are of Atlantis 15-14 will be: 1) Tracer Sampling. A survey of the tracer released during Atlantis 15-12 will be carried out using CTD/rosette casts in rapid succession over a period of 10 days. As many as 12 casts per day will be done. The survey will start with a transect along the axial valley from 9 N to 10 N. Then, based on evidence from this transect and also from a float that will pop up, we will conduct a grid survey where the tracer is most likely to be. 2) Vertical distributions of larval invertebrates. We will position plankton pumps and sediment traps near bottom and at the height of the neutrally buoyant plume to collect larvae and determine where species reside during different stages of heir larval life spans. 3) Lateral distributions of larvae. We will quantify larval abundances with respect to potential barriers to dispersal (e.g., the axial summit trough walls, or lateral offsets in the ASCT) and distance from potential source populations, using sediment traps positioned along the ridge axis and plankton pumps positioned within and outside the ASCT. 4) Temporal variation of larval abundance. The short term sediment trap samples (recovered in June and October 2006) and long-term samples (recovered after ~1 year in 2007) will be used to determine how variations in larval abundance compare to changes in local and regional hydrodynamics (e.g., changes in the direction of mean flow, passage of mesoscale eddies, etc). 5) Colonization and larval supply. Colonization experiments will be conducted in conjunction with time-series sampling of larvae in the traps in order to quantify the influence of larval supply on recruitment, and monitor changes in recruitment as the new vent communities mature. Our main focus will be on the diffuse-flow communities. 6) Characterization of established and new vent communities via video imagery. 7) A bottom-mounted ADCP, deployed at the tracer release site on Atlantis 15-12, will be recovered. 8) CTD/LADCP profiling. An extensive survey will be carried out at night both along the EPR axis and on the flanks. In addition to LADDER, time will be devoted to the following projects: HYDROTHERMAL VENT MEIOBENTHOS (PI: Bright): The aim of this project is to study the present status of the meiobenthic community shortly past eruption and to follow the succession of colonization and development of communities. Cruise activities include collection of meiofauna from different natural substrates, from the water column at various heights above the bottom, and from off-axis sediments. Additionally, meiofauna settlement devices will be deployed and recovered. DEVELOPMENT, GROWTH AND CELL KINETIC STUDIES IN RIFTIA PACHYPTILA (PI: Bright): The aim of this project is to study the infection process, growth, and developmental processes in Riftia pachyptila symbiosis as well as cell kinetics in symbiont-containing and symbiont-free host tissue. Cruise activities include recovery and re-deployment of tubeworm settlement devices, and recovery of basalt from warm vents to collect small tubeworms. EARLY LIFE STAGES OF ALVINELLA POMPEJANA (PI: Pradillon): The goal of this project is to understand how embryos of the polychaete annelid Alvinella Pompejana are able to disperse and colonize new vent sites. Two main activities will be carried out during the cruise: 1) In situ experiments will be carried out at vent sites to analyze early development and larval colonization in relation to local environmental conditions. 2) In vitro development experiments will be conducted on board to analyze sensitivity of early embryos at different pressure levels. POTENTIAL OF HYDROTHERMAL INPUTS OF IRON TO THE DEEP OCEAN (PI: German/Bennett). A study of the role of inorganic colloidal Fe species in vent plumes and their role as potential scavengers/stabilisers of Fe. Filtered samples will be collected with a Stand Alone Pumping System (SAPS) to be attached to the CTD/Rosette frame or wire. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE USE OF MAGNETS TO COLLECT IRON-RICH PARTICLES NEAR VENTS (PI: Ruddick/Kelly). One to three bottom-mounted magnet assemblies will be placed by Alvin near a vent site, and left in place for about a week to test whether this is a viable way to sample the distribution of iron-containing particles settling from vent plumes. Operations Area: EPR 9:50N (Ridge2000 EPR ISS site) 104:15W 9-10N 2500-3000m 12 Alvin Dives SSSG Tech: sssg @atlantis.whoi.edu Departure Port: Manzanillo, Mexico Agent: Primary Agent: Vasile Tudoran Transport 819 Ohio Ave. Long Beach, CA 90804 Contact: Vasile Tudoran tel. (562) 882-5590 fax: (562) 434-9800 email : vtudoran@aol.com Subagent: Master R/V Atlantis Attn: Scientist's Name IN TRANSIT MANZANILLO MEXICO c/o Continental Maritime SA 83 Calle Colhuas, Centro 28200 Manzanillo, Colima MEXICO Contact: Daniel Arias Romo tel/fax: 011 52 314 33 21223 mobile: 011 52 314 100 8862 email: danielromo2003@yahoo.com.mx Arrival Port: Manzanillo, Mexico Agent: Same as above Installed Scientific 12 kHz Transducer Equipment: Relay Transponder for wire use ADCP 75 kHz Deionized Water System CTD/Rosette -23 X10L - all standard CTD sensors, light-scattering sensor, LADCP Salinometer Pinger for wire use Fume Hood Refrigerator -70 Deg Freezer Walk-In Cooler Antivibration table available for microscope work WHOI-Provided Science ALVIN Tools: Large Capacity slurp pump - Single Chamber Small Capacity slurp pump Bio Box (12X12X12 & 12X12X24) Push Cores Scoop Nets High Temperature Probe Low Temperature Probe CTD Digital Still Camera (Oriented forward) Search Sonar Profiling Sonar Elevator USBL Nav Doppler/GPS Nav LBL Nav homer probe and receiver Program-Provided Science Tools: Shipboard Equipment/Nav: Other Requirements: Night Work Anticipated CTDs and mooring operations 1) glass floats for elevator 2) receiver for homer probe Notes: Science equipment to be installed on vehicle Thurnherr: - Recovery of ADCP with bottom frame - 30" x 33" x 23" (H) - 100lbs in air - ~75lbs in water Bright: - two bioboxes - 40 cm (height) x 20 cm x 25 cm - 16.5lbs in air - 5lbs in water - babytraps: - 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm plastic cubes + on top and on bottom a 10cm kitchen sponge: 10 cm round x 2 cm height - air weight 2lbs - water weight about 1lb Ruddick/Kelly -two bioboxes 12" cubes - 2 x 46 lbs = 92 lbs in air - 2 x 22 lbs = 44 lbs in water Other Special Requirements Science Stowage: Science party has requested to leave batteries and haz material onboard until Atlantis returns to the US. -Transponder nav requested. Need to find out info on transponders deployed during Eruption response cruise. Request good tag lines, recovery poles and tuggers for CTD Ops (10-4 JD per Ledwell) Navy Clearance Status: Granted 12/06/06: WITHIN 100 NM RADIUS OF 09-30N 104-15W DURING PERIOD 110700Z DEC THRU 050700Z JAN 07 Last Modified: 12/11/2006 Check List: Required? Comments US Customs Form No Explosives Clearance No Isotope Use Approval Yes Ledwell: Sealed Ni-63 Source in Gas Chromatograph (2) Diplomatic Clearance No SCUBA Diving No References Visible links 1. http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~ant/LADDER