+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | ATLANTIS CRUISE SYNOPSIS | +--------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Voyage - Leg: AT 15-12 Voyage Dates: 24 Oct - 17 Nov, 2006 Chief Sci(s): Andreas Thurnherr (Mullineaux/Bright) Address: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory 61 Route 9W Palisades, NY 10964 Phone: (845) 365-8816 Email: ant @ldeo.columbia.edu Cruise Objective: This is the first 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: 1) 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. 2) 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. 3) 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). 4) 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, but see also colonization project (PI: Pradillon) described below. 5) Characterization of established and new vent communities via video imagery. This objective is part of a larger project (PIs Beaulieu and Rhzanov) described below. 6) Tracer Release. Three kilograms of sulfur hexafluoride will be released from Alvin with a special tracer release system in a study of dispersion of vent larvae. The aim is to release this tracer within the axial depression at the crest of the ridge of the East Pacific Rise near 9:40N. The tracer will be used to track water and suspended particles from the site of the release over a period of about 40 days. The distribution of the tracer will be measured on a subsequent Atlantis cruise in December 06/January 07 with CTD/rosette casts. 7) Mooring Array. Seven moorings equipped with 15 current meters, 2 velocity profilers and 3 sediment traps will be deployed in a cross-shaped array centered on the EPR crest at 9:30N. Three axial moorings will be deployed precisely within the axial trough between 9:10 and 9:0N; a cross-axial mooring line will be deployed at 9:30N between 103:55 and 104:35W. The moorings will collect data between 2000 and 2900m. Recovery is planned after ~1year in fall 2007. 8) Bottom-mounted ADCP. At the tracer-release site a bottom-mounted ADCP will be deployed. Recovery is planned at the end of the tracer-sampling cruise in January 2007. 9) CTD/LADCP and microstructure surveys. 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. PROKARYOTIC AND VIRAL COMMUNITIES (PI: Williamson): The aim of this project is to estimate abundances, carry out prophage induction experiments and metagenomic analysis of prokaryotic and viral communities in water samples from hydrothermal vents and in off-axis non-vent water. The main cruise activity will be in-situ filtration of large volumes of water. 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. PHOTOGRAPHIC DIVE TRACKS (PIs: Beaulieu & Rhzanov): The goal of this project is to develop software for creating geo-referenced video mosaics using Alvin navigation and image data. This cruise will serve as a test bed for the software, which will be run overnight so that a "photographic dive track" is available the next day for dive reports and subsequent dive planning. Operations Area: EPR 9:50N (Ridge2000 EPR ISS site) 104:15W 9-10N 2500-3000m 16 Alvin Dives SSSG Tech: sssg @atlantis.whoi.edu Departure Port: San Diego, CA Agent: Master R/V Atlantis Attn: Scientist's Name c/o Paxton, Shreve & Hays Inc. 2191 Main St. San Diego, CA 92113 Contact: Tom Jenkins tel. (619) 232-8941 fax: (619) 232-3006 telex: 6731029 SHREVE SDG email: marineops@pshinc.net Arrival 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 Installed Scientific 12 kHz Transducer Equipment: Relay Transponder for wire use ADCP (EC 9/14) 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 (JD per EC 9/15) antivibration table available for microscope work WHOI-Provided Science TSE Mooring Winch Tools: ALVIN 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 (JD 7-28) Doppler/GPS Nav (JD 7-28) (EC 9/14) LBL Nav (EC 9/14) homer probe and receiver Program-Provided Science Tools: Shipboard Equipment/Nav: Other Requirements: Night Work Anticipated (EC 9/14) CTDs and mooring operations 1) glass floats for elevator 2) receiver for homer probe Notes: Science equipment to be installed on vehicle Ledwell: - tracer injection gear in the Alvin basket: - 250lbs in air - 78lbs in water - control unit in the sphere - electrical connections have been arranged between Brian Guest and Alvin Engineers -(EC 9/14) release neutral buoyant float w/ elevator. Will drift 100m off bottom Thurnherr: - 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 Electronic equipment used in the ALVIN personnel sphere: Ledwell's injector control gear. Outgas tests are being arranged (EC 9/14) test done. Other Special Requirements *Electrical power: ******* Worrilow: 440V 3 phase ******* Pradillon: European standard 230V (if possible) (EC 9/14) Lauren is checking on specific power requirments. ****Communications: ******* Bright: large attachments for outreach purposes ****Science Stowage: ******* Mullineaux, Ledwell, Thurnherr, Pradillon & Bright would like to ******* leave equipment on board until the 2nd LADDER cruise ******* (itemized lists available) (EC 9/14) Science party has requested to leave batteries and haz material onboard until next cruise and Atlantis returns to the US. -Science will load in San Diego at Continental on Oct 22nd. Need to determine best location of TSE mooring winch. Scott W. will work with Bosun in SD before departure. -Transponder nav requested. Need to find out info on transponders deployed during Eruption response cruise. Navy Clearance Status: Granted 10/16/06: WITHIN 100 NM RADIUS OF 09-30N 104-15W DURING PERIOD 240700Z OCT THRU 170700Z NOV 06 Last Modified: 10/26/2006 Check List: Required? Comments US Customs Form No Explosives Clearance No Isotope Use Approval No Diplomatic Clearance No SCUBA Diving No References Visible links 1. http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~ant/LADDER