1
CRUISE REPORT
S-246: ENERGY & THE OCEAN ENVIRONMENT
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN ABOARD THE
SSV ROBERT C. SEAMANS
Honolulu, HI - Palmyra Atoll - Kona, HI - Honolulu, HI
26 March - 3 May, 2013
Sea Education Association
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
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Citation:
Goodwin, D.S., 2013. Final Report for S.E.A. Cruise S246. Sea Education Association, Woods Hole, MA
02543, USA. www.sea.edu.
To obtain unpublished data, contact the SEA Data Archivist:
Dr. Erik Zettler
Sea Education Association
P.O. Box 6
Woods Hole, MA 02543
508-540-3954 or 800-552-3633 (phone)
508-457-4673 (fax)
[email protected] (email)
www.sea.edu (website)
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Table of Contents
Table 1: Ship's company 4
Data Description 5
Figure 1: Final cruise track 5
Figure 2a: Surface water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll & CDOM
fluorescence 6
Figure 2b: Surface wind vectors 7
Figure 2c: Surface water chlorophyll concentration, nitrate & phosphate
concentrations, pH & total alkalinity 8
Figure 3a: Surface current vectors, entire cruise track 9
Figure 3b: Surface current vectors, Hawaiian Islands region 10
Figure 4a: Hydrographic sections (temperature, salinity & density) 11
Figure 4b: Hydrographic sections (dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll &
photosynthetically available radiation) 12
Figure 5: ADCP upper ocean current magnitude & direction sections 13
Table 2: Summary of oceanographic sampling stations 14
Table 3: Surface station data 17
Table 4: Hydrocast station data 19
Table 5a: Neuston tow hydrographic data 24
Table 5b: Neuston tow biological data 25
Table 6a: Meter net hydrographic data 26
Table 6b: Meter net biological data 27
Table 7a: Zooplankton 100 count data 28
Table 7b: Zooplankton 100 count data (continued) 29
Table 8: Phytoplankton net data 30
Table 9: Secchi disk data 30
Table 10: ARGO float deployment data 30
Table 11: SPAR deployment data 31
Table 12: Student research projects 32
Student Research Project Abstracts 33
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Table 1: S246 Ship's Company, SSV Robert C. Seamans
Nautical Staff & Faculty
Beth Doxsee Captain
Jay Amster Chief Mate
Saphrona Stetson Second Mate
Ashley Meyer Third Mate
Jimmy O'Hare Chief Engineer
James Joslin Relief Chief Engineer
Will Scheurich Assistant Engineer
Abby Cazeault Steward
Lauren Hill Assistant Steward
Sam Levang Sailing Intern
Chris Stohlman Sailing Intern
Paul North Sailing Intern
Laura Page Sailing Intern
Sofia Nakhnikian-Weintraub Sailing Intern
Erin Bryant Ocean Science & Public Policy Faculty
Scientific Staff
Deb Goodwin Chief Scientist
Carla Scocchi First Assistant Scientist
Julia Twichell Second Assistant Scientist
Ed Sweeney Third Assistant Scientist
Students
Arianna Abram University of Toronto / Boston University
Larkin Bernardi Hamilton College
Dennis Claffey Northeastern University
Nikiforos Delatolas Cornell University
Chloe Holzinger Eckerd College
Laura Jack Northeastern University
Jillian Lyles Cornell University
Katie Lyon Marlboro College
Mary McGee Colgate University
Alexandra Simpson Cornell University
Brianna Sparre University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
Marina Stevenson Brown University
Abby Stryker Muhlenberg College
Josh Sturtevant Bates College
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Data Description
During the S246 (U.S. State Department Cruise F2012 – 083) six-week passage from Honolulu, HI to Palmyra Atoll
and Kona, HI, concluding in Honolulu (Figure 1), SSV Robert C. Seamans and her crew transited several
oceanographic provinces, the differences among which formed the partial basis for our research program. From the
nutrient-rich coastal waters of the Hawaiian Islands, we sailed south-southwest to enter the central North Pacific
Subtropical Gyre. For just over two weeks we traveled through and explored the warmer, saltier and nutrient-poor
waters of the gyre. Our first port stop at Palmyra Atoll, a small protected system managed by the Nature
Conservancy and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, provided the opportunity to sample near-shore reef and lagoon
environments within the North Equatorial Current as well as learn about island-based ecological and resource
challenges. Several days at Palmyra afforded us excellent snorkeling and coral atoll exploration and thought-
provoking conversation with research station personnel. A slight venture to the south found the highly productive
biological communities and unique hydrographic conditions of the Equatorial Countercurrent. We then traveled
northeast through the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre to return to Hawaiian waters and our final port stop, Kona;
here, students and crew visited multiple alternative energy industry sites (OTEC, solar, algal biofuel, geothermal,
wind farm) and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
This semester focused on marine renewable energy and technologies and thus had a suite of unique academic and
program objectives. Port stops were dedicated to learning about local energy needs, resources and opportunities
while many student research projects explored some aspect of ocean energy (environmental impacts, energy
transfer, resource assessments, etc). The Ocean Science and Public Policy professor joined the ship’s company for
the Kona port stop and final leg of the voyage back to Honolulu.
Oceanographic data were collected along the
entirety of the cruise track during 63 stations
comprised of 130 individual deployments
(summarized in Table 2; detailed in Tables 3 - 11) as
well as related chemical analyses for nutrients,
extracted chlorophyll, seawater pH and alkalinity
(Tables 3 and 4). Furthermore, continuous surface
water measurements (sea surface temperature,
salinity, in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence, CDOM
fluorescence and transmissivity by the ship's flow-
through system; Figure 2), water depth and sub-
bottom profiles (CHIRP system), upper ocean
currents (ADCP; Figures 3 and 5), and
meteorological data were gathered. CTD casts with
additional complementary instrumentation obtained
vertical water column profiles of temperature,
salinity, chlorophyll fluorescence and
photosynthetically available radiation (PAR; Figure
4). As part of a collaboration with NOAA’s Pacific
Marine Environmental Laboratory, two ARGO
floats were deployed in the Equatorial Current
region (Table 10). Lengthy CTD, CHIRP, ADCP
and flow-through data are not fully presented here;
all unpublished data can be made available by
arrangement with the SEA Data Archivist (contact
information, p. 2).
Data supported both ongoing SEA research projects
and a diverse suite of student-designed investigations (Table 12 and abstracts p. 33). Research topics included:
impacts of ocean acidification on water chemistry and pteropods; examination of forced upwelling prospects and
effects in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre; opportunities for solar and wind energy alternatives on commercial
ships traveling the region; and site and resource evaluation for both autonomous wave-driven buoys and ocean
Figure 1. Final cruise track for S246 based on hourly
(local time) positions. The voyage began and concluded in
Honolulu, HI, with Palmyra Atoll and Kona, HI port stops.
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thermal energy conversion (OTEC) within the central Pacific region. The resulting student manuscripts are available
upon request from Deb Goodwin, S246 Chief Scientist.
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Figure 2a. Surface water temperature (°C), salinity (psu), chlorophyll fluorescence (volts) and CDOM
fluorescence (volts) for S246 as measured by flow through system sensors.
The ship’s flow through system sensors included a SeaBird Thermosalinograph (S/N 0022), WETLabs C-Star
CDOM fluorometer (S/N WSCD-1257), and Turner Designs Model 10-AU in vivo chlorophyll-a fluorometer
(S/N 6467-RTX).
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Figure 2b. Surface wind vectors (m/s) for S246, southbound leg on left and northbound leg on right. Wind
speeds measured by an anemometer located at the top of the foremast.
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Figure 2c. Surface water phosphate concentration (uM), nitrate concentration (uM), pH, total alkalinity
(Meq/L) and chlorophyll concentration (ug/L) for S246 as measured by laboratory analyses on discrete
surface station water samples.
Extracted chlorophyll-a samples were filtered through 0.45 μm filters and measured with a Turner Designs
Model 10-AU fluorometer. Seawater pH was determined using m-cresol purple indicator dye and
spectrophotometry. Nutrients (PO4 and NO3) were assessed with colorometric spectrophotometry. Alkalinity
was measured by Gran titration.
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Figure 3a. Surface current vectors (mm/s) for the S246 cruise track. Note that 500 mm/s is approximately
1.0 knot.
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Figure 3b. Surface current vectors (mm/s) for the Hawaiian Islands portion of the S246 cruise track. Note
that 500 mm/s is approximately 1.0 knot.
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Figure 4a: Hydrographic along-track sections for S246. Data merged for both north and south legs and
shown latitudinally. Oceanographic regions indicated below density section apply to all plots.
Data gathered during hydrocast stations utilizing a SeaBird 19PlusV2 CTD (S/N 4043).
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Figure 4b: Hydrographic along-track sections for S246. Data merged for both north and south legs and
shown latitudinally. Oceanographic regions indicated below PAR section apply to all plots; note varied depth
axis scales.
Data gathered during hydrocast stations utilizing Seapoint Chlorophyll fluorometer (S/N SCF3149), SeaBird
Dissolved Oxygen sensor (model 43; S/N 1120), and Biospherical Instruments/SeaBird PAR sensor (S/N 4179).
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Figure 5: ADCP upper ocean current magnitude and direction along-track sections for S246. Data merged
for both north and south legs and shown latitudinally. Note that 500 mm/s is approximately 1.0 knot.
Oceanographic regions indicated below current direction section apply to all plots.
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Table 2: Summary of oceanographic sampling stations for S246.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Log
(nm)
Latitude
(deg N)
Longitude
(deg W) NT MN PN HC SPAR SD
Surface
Station General Locale
001 29-Mar-13 2335 51.1 20.50 -158.02 X SS-001 Hawaiian Waters
002 30-Mar-13 1050 122.4 19.11 -158.40 X SS-002 Hawaiian Waters
003 30-Mar-13 2258 143.3 18.50 -158.50 X X SS-003 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
004 31-Mar-13 1010 199.8 17.52 -158.75 X X X SS-004 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
005 31-Mar-13 2214 255.5 16.53 -158.81 X X SS-005 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
006 1-Apr-13 0802 290.5 15.85 -158.61 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
007 1-Apr-13 1016 300.9 15.68 -158.57 X X X SS-006 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
008 1-Apr-13 1701 315.6 15.33 -158.70 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
009 2-Apr-13 0015 350.1 14.79 -158.96 X SS-007 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
010 2-Apr-13 0800 389.0 14.30 -159.17 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
011 2-Apr-13 1009 390.8 14.16 -159.23 X X X SS-008 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
012 2-Apr-13 1636 415.1 13.75 -159.42 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
013 2-Apr-13 2224 448.8 13.23 -159.63 X X SS-009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
014 3-Apr-13 0833 494.4 12.43 -159.78 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
015 3-Apr-13 1119 508.0 12.19 -159.84 X X SS-010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
016 3-Apr-13 1648 535.8 11.89 -159.99 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
017 3-Apr-13 2331 563.0 11.24 -160.18 X X SS-011 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
018 4-Apr-13 0758 599.6 10.64 -160.57 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
019 4-Apr-13 0955 611.0 10.48 -160.57 X X X X SS-012 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
020 4-Apr-13 1655 636.2 10.08 -160.76 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
021 4-Apr-13 2240 668.3 9.64 -160.90 X X SS-013 N. Equatorial Current
022 5-Apr-13 1142 716.9 8.92 -161.09 X X SS-014 N. Equatorial Current
023 5-Apr-13 1754 749.0 8.36 -161.28 X N. Equatorial Current
024 6-Apr-13 0806 776.6 7.96 -161.55 X N. Equatorial Current
025 6-Apr-13 1150 784.3 7.86 -161.59 X N. Equatorial Current
026 6-Apr-13 1603 807.9 7.44 -161.67 X N. Equatorial Current
027 6-Apr-13 2229 847.0 6.86 -161.83 X X SS-016 N. Equatorial Current
028 11-Apr-13 1239 942.8 5.58 -162.07 X SS-018 Palmyra Waters
029 11-Apr-13 2352 989.1 4.96 -162.10 X SS-019 N. Equatorial Current
030 12-Apr-13 0904 1031.0 4.29 -162.03 X N. Equatorial Countercurrent
031 12-Apr-13 1026 1033.5 4.29 -162.02 X X X SS-020 N. Equatorial Countercurrent
032 12-Apr-13 1357 1039.0 4.58 -161.97 X N. Equatorial Countercurrent
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Table 2: Summary of oceanographic sampling stations for S246 (continued).
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Log
(nm)
Latitude
(deg N)
Longitude
(deg W) NT MN PN HC SPAR SD
Surface
Station General Locale
033 12-Apr-13 1728 1054.0 4.95 -162.01 X N. Equatorial Countercurrent 034 12-Apr-13 2300 1075.6 4.95 -162.01 X X SS-021 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 035 13-Apr-13 1020 1135.1 5.67 -161.80 X SS-022 N. Equatorial Current 036 13-Apr-13 2249 1202.4 6.73 -161.72 X X SS-023 N. Equatorial Current 037 14-Apr-13 0750 1262.8 7.68 -161.46 X N. Equatorial Current 038 14-Apr-13 1008 1271.8 7.82 -161.53 X X X SS-024 N. Equatorial Current 039 13-Apr-12 1615 -- 7.54 -161.35 X N. Equatorial Current 040 14-Apr-13 2357 1332.8 7.03 -161.06 X SS-025 N. Equatorial Current 041 15-Apr-13 0818 1377.3 7.80 -160.98 X N. Equatorial Current 042 15-Apr-13 1010 1389.3 7.99 -160.93 X X SS-026 N. Equatorial Current 043 15-Apr-13 1313 1398.5 8.15 -160.90 X N. Equatorial Current 044 15-Apr-13 1731 1405.7 8.21 -160.92 X N. Equatorial Current 045 15-Apr-13 2205 1432.2 8.59 -160.84 X X SS-027 N. Equatorial Current 046 16-Apr-13 0800 1492.0 9.49 -160.59 X N. Equatorial Current 047 16-Apr-13 1010 1506.0 9.49 -160.56 X X SS-028 N. Equatorial Current 048 16-Apr-13 1213 1506.4 9.69 -160.60 X N. Equatorial Current 049 16-Apr-13 1530 1525.4 9.99 -160.58 N. Equatorial Current 050 16-Apr-13 2217 1563.6 10.49 -160.60 X X SS-029 N. Equatorial Current 051 17-Apr-13 1004 1625.8 11.42 -160.41 X X X SS-030 N. Equatorial Current 052 17-Apr-13 1235 1628.1 11.43 -160.44 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 053 17-Apr-13 1637 1643.2 11.64 -160.39 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 054 17-Apr-13 2213 1681.3 12.23 -160.23 X SS-031 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 055 18-Apr-13 0759 1735.4 13.03 -160.00 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 056 18-Apr-13 0957 1740.0 13.14 -160.03 X X X SS-032 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 057 18-Apr-13 1655 1778.2 13.65 -159.82 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 058 18-Apr-13 2148 1801.7 14.05 -159.74 X X SS-033 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 059 19-Apr-13 1028 1866.4 14.93 -159.29 X X X SS-034 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 060 19-Apr-13 1715 1867.4 14.94 -159.33 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 061 20-Apr-13 1040 1976.9 16.62 -158.75 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 062 21-Apr-13 2116 2117.2 18.86 -157.87 X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 063 22-Apr-13 1056 2182.6 19.61 -156.70 X X N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
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Note that during station 049 light attenuation spheroids were utilized during class, station 061 was the styrocast with accompanying deep vertical
MN, and at station 062 the 2MN was deployed; squid jigging occurred during stations 029, 034 and 036. ARGO floats were deployed in closest
proximity to stations 016 and 057.
In Table 2, abbreviations for oceanographic equipment deployed are: NT – neuston tow; MN – 1 meter net (oblique tow); 2MN - 2 meter net
(oblique tow); PN – phytoplankton net; HC – hydrocast with 12 Niskin bottles, CTD and optical instrumentation; SPAR – surface
photosynthetically available radiation sensor; SD – secchi disk; and ARGO – NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory ARGO float.
General Locales are categorized by traditional oceanic biomes.
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Table 3: Surface station data for S246.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Log
(nm)
Latitude
(deg N)
Longitude
(deg W)
Sea Surface
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(ppt)
Chlorophyll
Fluorescence
(volts)
CDOM
Fluorescence
(volts)
Chl-a
(μg/L) PO4 (μM)
NO3
(μM) pH
Total
Alkalinity
(Meq/L)
SS-001 30-Mar-13 0000 51.0 20.49 -158.01 24.7 34.96 1.2 43.0 0.066
SS-002 30-Mar-13 1120 122.4 19.10 -158.40 24.8 34.72 1.3 43.0 0.094 0.355 0.319 8.01 3074.00
SS-003 31-Mar-13 0020 145.1 18.44 -158.48 24.9 34.89 1.2 43.0 0.063
SS-004 31-Mar-13 1105 199.8 17.49 -158.74 25.0 34.82 1.2 41.0 0.143 0.575 0.325 8.01 2522.25
SS-005 31-Mar-13 2352 255.7 16.48 -158.75 25.0 34.81 1.8 44.0 0.082
SS-006 1-Apr-13 1127 300.9 15.65 -158.58 25.2 34.58 1.2 41.0 0.089 0.776 0.379 8.03 2106.01
SS-007 2-Apr-13 0040 350.9 14.83 -158.95 25.1 34.65 1.2 44.0 0.079
SS-008 2-Apr-13 1025 390.9 14.15 -159.23 26.0 34.26 1.2 39.0 0.062 0.365 0.403 8.04 2401.85
SS-009 3-Apr-13 0000 451.1 13.16 -159.62 26.3 34.29 1.5 41.0 0.122
SS-010 3-Apr-13 1128 507.7 12.18 -159.84 26.6 34.31 1.8 43.0 0.100
SS-011 3-Apr-13 2243 563.2 11.23 -160.19 26.7 34.26 1.6 43.0 0.054
SS-012 4-Apr-13 1016 611.0 10.47 -160.57 26.9 34.35 1.2 41.0 0.163 0.424 0.228 8.04 2201.60
SS-013 4-Apr-13 2323 669.2 9.61 -160.89 27.3 34.53 4.1 46.0 0.223
SS-014 5-Apr-13 1029 716.9 8.91 -161.09 27.6 34.65 2.3 47.0 0.310 0.355 1.004 8.05 2294.77
SS-015 6-Apr-13 1039 776.6 7.95 -161.58 27.7 34.74 2.2 47.0 0.323 0.455 6.892 7.96 2187.08
SS-016 6-Apr-13 2306 847.7 6.84 -161.83 27.8 34.67 4.9 47.0 0.285
SS-017 7-Apr-13 1020 910.0 5.90 -161.88 27.8 34.65 2.1 47.0 0.227 0.338 4.324 8.00 2125.97
SS-018 11-Apr-13 1226 942.0 5.59 -162.07 28.0 34.82 1.9 45.2 0.244 4.119 8.01 2317.15
SS-019 12-Apr-13 0007 989.6 4.95 -162.10 28.0 34.86 5.0 48.0 0.247
SS-020 12-Apr-13 1111 1033.5 4.29 -162.03 28.0 34.86 1.9 48.3 0.266 0.468 5.846 8.01 2330.46
SS-021 12-Apr-13 2350 1076.0 4.93 -162.01 28.1 34.85 4.9 45.0 0.242
SS-022 13-Apr-13 1035 1135.1 5.67 -161.79 27.9 34.66 3.1 48.0 0.287 0.463 4.436 8.03 2399.43
SS-023 13-Apr-13 2315 1202.4 6.74 -161.71 27.9 34.84 4.2 45.4 0.185
SS-024 14-Apr-13 1019 1271.8 7.81 -161.52 27.7 34.84 1.9 56.7 0.213 0.368 4.151 8.01 2610.58
SS-025 15-Apr-13 0007 1332.8 7.02 -161.05 27.9 34.79 4.5 47.0 0.206
SS-026 15-Apr-13 1025 1389.3 7.98 -160.92 27.5 34.81 1.9 46.0 0.404 0.394 1.501 8.09 2340.75
SS-027 15-Apr-13 2238 1432.4 8.57 -160.94 27.5 34.76 4.0 47.3 0.209
SS-028 16-Apr-13 1024 1506.0 9.68 -160.56 27.2 34.70 1.5 45.7 0.158 0.338 0.880 8.03 2373.42
SS-029 16-Apr-13 2246 1563.9 10.42 -160.60 27.0 34.53 1.7 42.5 0.143
SS-030 17-Apr-13 1020 1625.8 11.41 -160.40 26.8 34.47 1.2 39.6 0.217 0.316 0.896 8.01 2277.22
SS-031 17-Apr-13 2222 1681.3 12.22 -160.23 26.7 34.47 1.4 42.6 0.084
SS-032 18-Apr-13 1008 1740.0 13.13 -160.02 26.4 34.39 1.2 39.0 0.059 0.386 0.885
SS-033 18-Apr-13 2218 1802.1 14.03 -159.74 26.5 34.42 1.4 42.8 0.118
SS-034 19-Apr-13 1038 1866.4 14.93 -159.29 25.6 34.69 1.2 39.8 0.072 0.256 0.862 8.06
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All surface stations gathered data from a SeaBird Thermosalinograph (S/N 0022) and three auxiliary instruments (WETLabs WetStar
transmissometer (S/N CST1187-PR), WETLabs C-Star CDOM fluorometer (S/N WSCD-1257), and Turner Designs Model 10-AU in vivo
chlorophyll-a fluorometer (S/N 6467-RTX). Extracted chlorophyll-a samples were filtered through 0.45 μm filters and measured with a Turner
Designs Model 10-AU fluorometer. Seawater pH was determined using m-cresol purple indicator dye and spectrophotometry. Nutrients (PO4 and
NO3) were assessed with colorometric spectrophotometry. Alkalinity was measured by Gran titration.
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Table 4: Hydrocast station data for S246. Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local) General Locale Bottle
Bottle
Depth
(m)
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mL/L)
PO4
(μM)
NO3
(μM) pH
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(psu)
Density
(kg/m3)
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 1 1033.86 1.09 7.46 4.10 34.53 27.41
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 2 992.10 1.02 4.26 34.52 27.39
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 3 794.12 0.84 5.12 34.46 27.24
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 4 793.16 0.85 3.29 62.90 7.43 5.12 34.46 27.24
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 5 596.02 0.82 5.99 34.34 27.04
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 6 496.67 1.41 2.96 50.60 6.68 34.18 26.82
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 7 397.53 2.91 7.68 8.67 34.12 26.48
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 8 298.20 3.83 1.43 30.13 11.43 34.17 26.06
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 9 198.91 4.23 18.61 34.90 25.06
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 10 99.91 4.75 23.67 35.41 24.05
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 11 50.25 4.69 24.37 35.16 23.66
002-HC 30-Mar-13 1050 Hawaiian Waters 12 49.58 4.69 8.07 24.43 35.16 23.64
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 1 860.42 1.06 7.37 4.67 34.51 27.33
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 2 859.22 1.06 4.67 34.51 27.33
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 3 794.17 1.00 4.96 34.49 27.28
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 4 792.64 1.00 3.45 61.92 7.37 4.96 34.49 27.28
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 5 596.15 0.83 5.82 34.38 27.09
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 6 496.82 1.20 3.36 55.66 6.53 34.24 26.89
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 7 398.19 1.95 7.45 7.91 34.17 26.64
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 8 298.40 3.50 10.36 34.15 26.23
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 9 199.37 4.05 0.80 13.77 15.34 34.43 25.46
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 10 100.16 4.60 23.61 35.26 23.96
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 11 49.68 4.72 24.39 35.25 23.72
004-HC 31-Mar-13 1010 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 12 48.03 4.72 8.03 24.40 35.25 23.72
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 1 942.75 0.81 7.37 4.80 34.53 27.33
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 2 942.31 0.81 4.80 34.53 27.33
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 3 794.87 0.77 5.41 34.51 27.24
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 4 794.06 0.77 3.75 61.92 7.39 5.42 34.51 27.24
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 5 595.18 0.67 6.65 34.49 27.07
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 6 496.38 0.41 7.85 34.53 26.94
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 7 398.53 0.38 3.17 50.45 7.38 8.93 34.55 26.78
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 8 298.71 0.38 2.10 26.45 10.34 34.56 26.56
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 9 199.42 3.77 14.60 34.40 25.60
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Table 4: Hydrocast station data for S246 (continued).
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local) General Locale Bottle
Bottle
Depth
(m)
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mL/L)
PO4
(μM)
NO3
(μM) pH
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(psu)
Density
(kg/m3)
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 10 98.94 4.61 23.10 35.25 24.10
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 11 49.83 4.75 24.32 35.23 23.73
007-HC 1-Apr-13 1016 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 12 49.59 4.74 8.04 24.34 35.22 23.71
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 1 1046.58 0.87 7.40 4.28 34.55 27.41
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 2 992.26 0.84 4.48 34.54 27.38
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 3 793.36 0.61 5.44 34.51 27.25
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 4 792.19 0.60 3.64 59.50 7.38 5.45 34.51 27.24
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 5 595.16 0.54 6.51 34.49 27.09
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 6 497.11 0.51 3.11 43.35 7.30 34.48 26.97
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 7 397.67 0.68 7.42 8.31 34.46 26.81
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 8 297.88 1.19 2.27 40.64 9.64 34.37 26.52
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 9 198.65 3.57 13.47 34.31 25.77
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 10 100.21 4.69 22.86 35.18 24.12
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 11 50.16 4.60 25.61 34.63 22.88
011-HC 2-Apr-13 1009 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 12 49.32 4.60 8.06 25.61 34.63 22.88
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 1 1031.28 1.03 7.43 4.74 34.55 27.36
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 2 991.49 0.96 4.93 34.55 27.34
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 3 794.44 0.67 5.87 34.54 27.21
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 4 794.61 0.67 3.36 58.29 7.41 5.88 34.53 27.21
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 5 595.14 0.43 7.58 34.57 27.00
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 6 495.98 0.32 3.24 38.97 8.67 34.61 26.87
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 7 398.19 0.37 7.46 9.61 34.67 26.77
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 8 298.29 0.14 2.41 40.94 10.32 34.70 26.67
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 9 199.18 0.08 11.31 34.74 26.52
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 10 99.38 3.43 16.92 34.60 25.23
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 11 50.59 4.50 26.49 34.74 22.69
019-HC 4-Apr-13 0955 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 12 50.06 4.50 8.07 26.49 34.73 22.68
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 1 1043.03 1.15 7.44 4.48 34.57 27.40
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 2 990.65 1.12 4.67 34.56 27.37
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 3 794.59 0.71 5.65 34.54 27.25
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 4 793.57 0.70 2.90 67.80 5.65 34.54 27.24
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 5 596.39 0.24 7.32 34.55 27.03
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 6 497.42 0.23 2.44 63.12 8.30 34.59 26.91
22
Table 4: Hydrocast station data for S246 (continued).
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local) General Locale Bottle
Bottle
Depth
(m)
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mL/L)
PO4
(μM)
NO3
(μM) pH
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(psu)
Density
(kg/m3)
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 7 396.50 0.17 7.42 9.40 34.66 26.79
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 8 296.60 0.18 2.42 51.96 10.33 34.71 26.67
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 9 197.87 0.09 11.34 34.73 26.51
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 10 99.46 4.00 24.90 34.98 23.36
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 11 49.53 4.46 27.25 35.01 22.65
022-HC 5-Apr-13 1015 N. Equatorial Current 12 49.44 4.47 27.25 35.00 22.65
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 1 1180.60 1.69 7.49 3.95 34.58 27.46
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 2 991.95 1.70 4.66 34.56 27.37
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 3 793.66 1.73 5.45 34.55 27.27
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 4 793.79 1.72 2.49 5.45 34.55 27.27
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 5 595.87 1.20 6.52 34.56 27.15
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 6 496.52 1.09 2.65 56.40 7.42 34.58 27.04
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 7 397.02 1.00 7.48 8.44 34.62 26.92
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 8 297.60 0.65 2.18 54.04 9.38 34.66 26.80
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 9 198.31 0.51 10.99 34.69 26.54
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 10 99.71 4.22 27.23 35.10 22.73
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 11 49.16 4.40 27.59 35.07 22.59
031-HC 12-Apr-13 1051 N. Equatorial Countercurrent 12 47.17 4.41 27.59 35.07 22.59
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 1 987.38 1.43 7.44 4.48 34.57 27.40
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 2 986.93 1.43 4.50 34.57 27.40
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 3 793.70 1.07 5.56 34.56 27.27
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 4 793.06 1.07 2.92 79.59 5.59 34.55 27.26
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 5 594.75 0.60 6.65 34.57 27.13
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 6 496.67 0.58 2.78 62.16 7.46 34.59 27.04
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 7 397.88 0.63 7.44 8.69 34.63 26.89
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 8 297.70 1.03 2.04 67.80 9.55 34.67 26.77
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 9 199.51 0.94 10.62 34.66 26.59
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 10 99.82 3.43 21.84 34.93 24.22
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 11 49.67 4.40 27.57 35.04 22.57
035-HC 13-Apr-13 1020 N. Equatorial Current 12 48.06 4.40 27.57 35.04 22.57
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 1 927.28 0.84 7.33 5.02 34.56 27.33
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 2 927.36 0.84 5.02 34.55 27.33
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 3 794.59 0.84 5.61 34.55 27.26
23
Table 4: Hydrocast station data for S246 (continued).
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local) General Locale Bottle
Bottle
Depth
(m)
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mL/L)
PO4
(μM)
NO3
(μM) pH
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(psu)
Density
(kg/m3)
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 4 793.60 0.84 2.90 67.54 5.61 34.55 27.25
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 5 596.07 0.62 6.88 34.56 27.09
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 6 496.41 0.50 2.68 62.30 8.04 34.60 26.96
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 7 397.81 0.48 7.32 9.09 34.65 26.84
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 8 297.71 0.26 2.50 45.00 10.06 34.70 26.71
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 9 198.89 0.17 11.27 34.75 26.53
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 10 99.00 3.79 23.65 34.98 23.74
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 11 48.86 4.43 27.27 35.07 22.69
038-HC 14-Apr-13 1008 N. Equatorial Current 12 48.01 4.45 27.28 35.08 22.69
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 1 1045.94 1.11 7.41 4.22 34.57 27.43
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 2 992.20 1.02 4.51 34.57 27.40
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 3 793.62 1.03 5.11 34.55 27.32
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 4 793.31 1.03 2.86 63.34 5.11 34.55 27.32
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 5 595.72 0.62 6.64 34.55 27.12
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 6 496.04 0.33 2.54 52.47 8.03 34.59 26.96
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 7 398.36 0.22 7.46 9.38 34.66 26.80
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 8 298.39 0.19 1.79 57.97 10.37 34.71 26.67
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 9 198.93 0.12 11.30 34.75 26.53
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 10 100.26 3.86 24.26 35.03 23.59
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 11 49.98 4.46 27.15 35.03 22.70
042-HC 15-Apr-13 1010 N. Equatorial Current 12 49.48 4.45 27.15 35.03 22.70
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 1 1150.37 1.18 7.47 4.26 34.56 27.42
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 2 992.89 0.92 4.84 34.55 27.35
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 3 794.25 0.66 5.74 34.54 27.23
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 4 793.97 0.66 3.00 79.85 5.74 34.54 27.23
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 5 596.40 0.47 7.32 34.56 27.03
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 6 496.22 0.48 2.68 62.95 8.07 34.58 26.94
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 7 397.62 0.33 7.42 9.15 34.64 26.82
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 8 298.60 0.32 2.50 58.23 9.90 34.67 26.72
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 9 197.75 0.64 11.30 34.59 26.40
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 10 99.69 4.12 23.89 34.92 23.62
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 11 49.38 4.48 26.41 34.69 22.68
051-HC 17-Apr-13 1004 N. Equatorial Current 12 48.95 4.50 26.42 34.69 22.67
24
Table 4: Hydrocast station data for S246 (continued).
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local) General Locale Bottle
Bottle
Depth
(m)
Dissolved
Oxygen
(mL/L)
PO4
(μM)
NO3
(μM) pH
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(psu)
Density
(kg/m3)
056-HC 18-Apr-13 0957 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 1 1085.75 1.10 4.34 34.55 27.40
056-HC 18-Apr-13 0957 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 2 991.38 0.97 4.66 34.54 27.36
056-HC 18-Apr-13 0957 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 3 794.65 0.73 5.59 34.52 27.23
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 1 1129.74 1.02 7.45 3.96 34.55 27.44
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 2 990.42 0.70 4.50 34.54 27.37
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 3 793.64 0.53 5.39 34.51 27.25
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 4 792.69 0.54 2.90 66.62 5.40 34.51 27.25
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 5 595.71 0.47 6.55 34.50 27.09
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 6 496.61 0.51 2.70 59.54 7.38 34.48 26.96
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 7 397.40 0.42 7.46 8.61 34.50 26.80
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 8 297.72 0.75 2.28 51.42 10.01 34.45 26.53
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 9 198.64 3.89 14.65 34.38 25.57
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 10 100.20 4.65 23.79 35.27 23.92
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 11 49.14 4.70 24.40 35.22 23.69
059-HC 19-Apr-13 1028 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 12 48.21 4.73 24.40 35.22 23.69
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 1 913.01 0.97 4.44 34.51 27.36
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 2 911.84 0.98 4.44 34.51 27.36
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 3 794.10 0.92 4.86 34.48 27.29
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 4 792.67 0.92 4.86 34.48 27.29
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 5 596.14 0.73 5.41 34.36 27.12
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 6 496.52 0.88 6.05 34.25 26.96
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 7 397.52 1.47 7.19 34.19 26.76
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 8 298.85 2.58 8.68 34.15 26.50
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 9 199.35 3.75 11.75 34.18 26.00
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 10 99.52 4.05 17.21 34.71 25.25
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 11 49.26 4.81 22.27 35.19 24.29
063-HC 22-Apr-13 1056 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre 12 48.12 4.82 22.31 35.19 24.27
All hydrocasts gathered data from a SeaBird 19PlusV2 CTD (S/N 4043) and three auxiliary instruments (Seapoint Chlorophyll fluorometer (S/N
SCF3149), SeaBird Dissolved Oxygen sensor (model 43; S/N 1120), and Biospherical Instruments/SeaBird PAR sensor (S/N 4179)). Extracted
chlorophyll-a samples were filtered through 0.45 μm filters and measured with a Turner Designs Model 10-AU fluorometer. Seawater pH was
determined using m-cresol purple indicator dye and spectrophotometry. Nutrients (PO4 and NO3) were assessed with colorometric
spectrophotometry. Alkalinity was measured by Gran titration. A blank space indicates that no sample was collected for that analysis.
25
Table 5a: Neuston tow hydrographic data for S246. Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Moon
Phase
(%)
Sea Surface
Temperature
(°C)
Chlorophyll
Fluorescence
(volts)
Salinity
(psu)
Tow
Area
(m2)
Zooplankton
Biomass
(mL)
Zooplankton
Density
(mL/m2)
General Locale
001-NT 29-Mar-13 2335 94R 24.8 1.2 34.95 850.5 24.0 0.0282 Hawaiian Waters
003-NT 31-Mar-13 0014 79R 24.9 1.2 34.86 2252.4 17.5 0.0078 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
005-NT 31-Mar-13 2322 79R 25.0 1.7 34.79 2130.0 14.0 0.0066 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
009-NT 2-Apr-13 0015 58R 25.1 1.2 34.65 1333.4 10.5 0.0079 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
013-NT 2-Apr-13 2351 58R 26.3 1.5 34.29 2723.6 7.0 0.0026 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
015-NT 3-Apr-13 1119 47R 26.6 1.7 34.31 2021.8 5.2 0.0026 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
017-NT 3-Apr-13 2234 47S 26.7 1.6 34.25 2595.4 9.0 0.0035 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
021-NT 4-Apr-13 2301 36R 27.3 4.3 34.53 1148.2 40.0 0.0348 N. Equatorial Current
027-NT 6-Apr-13 2242 16S 27.8 4.9 34.66 1385.9 30.0 0.0216 N. Equatorial Current
029-NT 11-Apr-13 2352 1S 28.0 4.3 34.86 2177.9 22.0 0.0101 N. Equatorial Current
034-NT 12-Apr-13 2352 4S 28.2 4.7 34.85 1127.1 39.0 0.0346 N. Equatorial Countercurrent
036-NT 13-Apr-13 2305 9S 27.9 4.2 34.84 3022.8 71.0 0.0235 N. Equatorial Current
040-NT 14-Apr-13 2357 23S 27.9 4.3 34.80 1393.0 33.0 0.0237 N. Equatorial Current
045-NT 15-Apr-13 2222 31S 27.5 4.1 34.75 1373.3 59.0 0.0430 N. Equatorial Current
050-NT 16-Apr-13 2232 31R 27.0 1.7 34.54 2051.1 26.0 0.0127 N. Equatorial Current
054-NT 17-Apr-13 2213 40R 26.7 1.3 34.47 1521.7 10.0 0.0066 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
058-NT 18-Apr-13 2204 50R 26.5 1.3 34.43 1210.1 15.0 0.0124 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
063-NT 22-Apr-13 1234 86S 25.3 1.2 35.38 1227.9 18.0 0.0147 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Moon phase indicates either risen (R) or set (S). Tow area calculated using distance (meters) between successive minutes' GPS positions. Neuston
net opening 1.0m wide by 0.5m tall, with a 333μm mesh net. Zooplankton density recorded as wet volume displacement per tow area (ml/m2).
26
Table 5b: Neuston tow biological data for S246 (continued). Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Phyllosoma
(#)
Leptocephali
(#)
Halobates
(#)
Myctophids
(#)
Sargassum
natans (g)
Sargassum
fluitans (g)
Plastic
Pellets (#)
Plastic
Pieces (#) Tar (#)
Nekton
>2cm (mL)
Gelatinous
>2cm (mL)
001-NT 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 4 0 0.0 13.0
003-NT 0 0 30 2 0 0 0 8 0 0.8 3.0
005-NT 0 0 10 5 0 0 0 5 0 0.5 0.0
009-NT 0 0 22 7 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 1.9
013-NT 0 0 30 25 0 0 0 2 0 0.0 0.5
015-NT 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 6 0 0.2 2.0
017-NT 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 0.5
021-NT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.0 112.0
027-NT 0 0 1 17 0 0 0 0 0 7.5 13.0
029-NT 0 0 51 44 0 0 0 0 0 0.4 18.0
034-NT 0 0 14 14 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 197.5
036-NT 1 0 26 64 0 0 0 5 0 8.0 22.0
040-NT 0 0 1 38 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 40.5
045-NT 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 7.5
050-NT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.0 5.0
054-NT 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.0 8.0
058-NT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 1.5
063-NT 0 0 16 0 0 0 9 0 0 0.0 2.0
Eel larvae (leptocephali), spiny lobster larvae (phyllosoma), marine water striders (halobates) and Lantern fish (myctophids) sorted from net
contents and counted. Micronekton and gelatinous micronekton removed using a 1cm mesh sieve; biovolume (ml) recorded. Qualitative
descriptions of micronekton removed from zooplankton biomass are available. Floating plastic and tar removed from net contents, sorted and
recorded as numbers collected per tow.
27
Table 6a: Meter net hydrographic data for S246. Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Sea Surface
Temperature
(°C)
Chlorophyll
Fluorescence
(volts)
Salinity
(psu)
Maximum
Tow Depth
(m)
Tow
Length
(m)
Tow
Volume
(m3)
Zooplankton
Biomass
(mL)
Zooplankton
Density
(mL/m3)
General Locale
003-MN 30-Mar-13 2258 24.9 1.2 34.76 ~150 1697.0 1332.2 91.0 0.0683 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
005-MN 31-Mar-13 2214 25.1 1.3 34.80 ~200 2651.4 2081.4 49.0 0.0235 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
013-MN 2-Apr-13 2224 26.3 1.5 34.27 ~120 2857.7 2243.3 116.0 0.0517 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
017-MN 3-Apr-13 2331 26.7 1.5 34.25 ~150 3104.4 2437.0 83.0 0.0341 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
021-MN 4-Apr-13 2240 27.3 4.2 34.54 ~140 3841.1 3015.3 93.0 0.0308 N. Equatorial Current
027-MN 6-Apr-13 2229 27.8 5.0 34.60 ~130 1868.7 1467.0 39.0 0.0266 N. Equatorial Current
034-MN 12-Apr-13 2300 28.1 4.5 34.85 ~180 2377.3 1866.3 91.0 0.0488 N. Equatorial Countercurrent
036-MN 13-Apr-13 2249 27.9 4.4 34.84 ~130 1907.9 1497.7 156.0 0.1042 N. Equatorial Current
045-MN 15-Apr-13 2205 27.5 4.1 34.75 ~150 1864.4 1463.6 185.0 0.1264 N. Equatorial Current
050-MN 16-Apr-13 2217 27.0 1.5 34.53 ~150 2482.9 1949.1 101.0 0.0518 N. Equatorial Current
058-MN 18-Apr-13 2148 26.5 1.3 34.43 ~150 2251.0 1767.1 40.0 0.0226 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
062-2MN 21-Apr-13 2116 25.2 1.2 34.90 ~200 3271.5 7590.0 94.0 0.0124 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
All tows used a 1m net (0.785m2) with 333µm mesh except station 062, which used the 2m net (2.49 m
2) with 1000µm mesh. Tow length
calculated using distance between successive minutes' GPS positions; tow volume from tow length and net area. Tow depth estimated by Chief
Scientist from total wire deployed, ship speed and angle at which wire entered the water. Zooplankton density recorded as wet volume
displacement per tow volume (ml/m3).
28
Table 6b: Meter net biological data for S246 (continued). Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Phyllosoma
(#)
Leptocephali
(#)
Halobates
(#)
Myctophids
(#)
Plastic
Pellets (#)
Plastic
Pieces (#) Tar (#)
Nekton
>2cm (mL)
Gelatinous
>2cm (mL)
003-MN 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0.0 7.0
005-MN 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.5 0.0
013-MN 0 0 2 12 0 0 0 0.6 3.0
017-MN 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 12.0 4.0
021-MN 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 13.1 65.0
027-MN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19.5 51.0
034-MN 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 5.0 38.0
036-MN 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 5.0 20.0
045-MN 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 3.0 9.0
050-MN 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 7.0 4.0
058-MN 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1.0 7.0
062-2MN 0 0 2 5 0 0 0 15.1 29.0
Eel larvae (leptocephali), spiny lobster larvae (phyllosoma), marine water striders (halobates) and Lantern fish (myctophids) sorted from net
contents and counted. Micronekton and gelatinous micronekton removed using a 1cm mesh sieve; biovolume (ml) recorded. Qualitative
descriptions of micronekton removed from zooplankton biomass are available. Floating plastic and tar removed from net contents, sorted and
recorded as numbers collected per tow.
Abbreviations for zooplankton categories in Tables 7a and 7b: Cnid – cnidarian medusa; Siph – siphonophore bracts and floats; Cten –
ctenophores; Pter – pteropods; Nud - nudibranchs; Other Snail – pelagic snails; Ceph – cephalopods; Poly – polychaetes; Chaet – chaetognaths;
Cop – copepods; Gam Amp – gammarid amphipods; Hyp Amp – hyperiid amphipods; Crab (larv) – Crab zoea and megalops; Shr (larv) – shrimp
larval stage; Lob (larv) – lobster larval stage; Mys – mysids; Euph – euphausiids; Stom (larv) – stomatopod larval stage; Ost – ostracods; Clad –
cladocerans; Iso – isopods; Salp – salps and doliolids; Fish (larv) - larval fish.
29
Table 7a: Zooplankton 100 count data for S246. Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local) Cnid Siph Cten Pter Nud
Other
Snail Ceph Poly Chaet Cop
Gam
Amp
Hyp
Amp
Crab
(larv)
001-NT 29-Mar-13 2335 1 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 2 76 0 1 0
003-MN 30-Mar-13 2258 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 9 81 0 0 0
003-NT 31-Mar-13 0014 0 0 0 6 0 4 0 0 0 59 0 8 1
005-MN 31-Mar-13 2214 1 1 0 6 0 3 0 0 1 64 1 9 0
005-NT 31-Mar-13 2322 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 82 0 1 0
009-NT 2-Apr-13 0015 0 3 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 55 1 1 0
013-MN 2-Apr-13 2224 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 4 77 0 0 0
013-NT 2-Apr-13 2351 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 7 78 1 3 0
015-NT 3-Apr-13 1119 0 19 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 55 0 1 0
017-MN 3-Apr-13 2231 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 66 0 21 0
017-NT 3-Apr-13 2334 0 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 5 60 6 1 0
021-MN 4-Apr-13 2240 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 64 4 4 1
021-NT 4-Apr-13 2301 0 1 0 3 0 3 0 0 3 49 0 15 0
027-MN 6-Apr-13 2229 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 72 2 6 0
027-NT 6-Apr-13 2242 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 42 5 19 0
029-NT 11-Apr-13 2352 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 75 0 0 0
034-MN 12-Apr-13 2300 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 52 1 12 0
034-NT 12-Apr-13 2352 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 75 0 5 0
036-MN 13-Apr-13 2249 0 1 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 44 7 16 0
036-NT 13-Apr-13 2305 1 19 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 47 0 14 0
040-NT 14-Apr-13 2357 0 2 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 31 0 23 0
045-MN 15-Apr-13 2205 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 5 83 0 2 0
045-NT 15-Apr-13 2222 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 37 0 11 0
050-MN 16-Apr-13 2217 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 4 71 0 2 0
050-NT 16-Apr-13 2232 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 59 0 6 0
054-NT 17-Apr-13 2213 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 4 63 0 5 0
058-MN 18-Apr-13 2148 0 3 0 7 0 0 0 0 14 55 1 2 0
058-NT 18-Apr-13 2204 0 1 0 6 0 0 0 0 4 79 0 1 0
062-2MN 21-Apr-13 2116 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 6 64 2 3 0
063-NT 22-Apr-13 1234 0 4 0 0 0 17 0 0 4 41 12 0 0
30
Table 7b: Zooplankton 100 count data for S246 (continued).
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Shr
(larv)
Lob
(larv) Mys Euph
Stom
(larv) Ostr Clad Iso Salp
Fish
(larv)
Fish
eggs Other
Shannon-
Weiner
Diversity
Index
001-NT 29-Mar-13 2335 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.373
003-MN 30-Mar-13 2258 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.316
003-NT 31-Mar-13 0014 2 0 17 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.599
005-MN 31-Mar-13 2214 1 0 4 4 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.637
005-NT 31-Mar-13 2322 0 0 11 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.304
009-NT 2-Apr-13 0015 0 0 8 17 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.662
013-MN 2-Apr-13 2224 0 0 2 2 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.407
013-NT 2-Apr-13 2351 0 0 1 2 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.462
015-NT 3-Apr-13 1119 0 0 0 3 0 13 0 0 0 3 1 0 0.606
017-MN 3-Apr-13 2231 5 0 1 0 0 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.473
017-NT 3-Apr-13 2334 0 0 11 10 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.607
021-MN 4-Apr-13 2240 1 0 10 3 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0.615
021-NT 4-Apr-13 2301 0 0 20 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.663
027-MN 6-Apr-13 2229 0 1 4 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 2 0.511
027-NT 6-Apr-13 2242 1 0 11 10 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0.770
029-NT 11-Apr-13 2352 1 0 11 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0.416
034-MN 12-Apr-13 2300 3 0 8 14 0 0 1 1 7 0 0 0 0.701
034-NT 12-Apr-13 2352 0 0 26 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.423
036-MN 13-Apr-13 2249 7 0 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.698
036-NT 13-Apr-13 2305 4 0 9 6 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0.755
040-NT 14-Apr-13 2357 16 0 13 9 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.775
045-MN 15-Apr-13 2205 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 0.346
045-NT 15-Apr-13 2222 1 0 37 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 1 0 0.632
050-MN 16-Apr-13 2217 1 0 0 5 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 3 0.486
050-NT 16-Apr-13 2232 0 0 3 7 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.555
054-NT 17-Apr-13 2213 1 0 13 2 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 4 0.622
058-MN 18-Apr-13 2148 1 0 0 5 0 11 0 0 1 0 0 0 0.653
058-NT 18-Apr-13 2204 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 1 0 0 0 0 0.371
062-2MN 21-Apr-13 2116 2 0 3 12 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.603
063-NT 22-Apr-13 1234 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 7 1 1 0 0.748
31
Table 8: Phytoplankton net data for S246. Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Sea Surface
Temperature
(°C)
Chlorophyll
Fluorescence
(volts)
Salinity
(psu) General Locale Sample Type
004-PN 31-Mar-13 1026 25.1 1.2 34.81 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre Drifted Surface
007-PN 1-Apr-13 1114 25.1 1.2 34.57 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre Drifted Surface
011-PN 2-Apr-13 1102 26.0 1.2 34.26 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre Drifted Surface
019-PN 4-Apr-13 1004 26.9 1.2 34.85 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre Drifted Surface
022-PN 5-Apr-13 1040 27.6 2.2 34.84 N. Equatorial Current Drifted Surface
031-PN 12-Apr-13 1025 28.0 2.1 34.87 N. Equatorial Countercurrent Drifted Surface
038-PN 14-Apr-13 1029 28.7 1.9 34.84 N. Equatorial Current Drifted Surface
042-PN 15-Apr-13 1012 27.5 1.9 34.81 N. Equatorial Current Drifted Surface
047-PN 16-Apr-13 1045 27.2 1.5 34.70 N. Equatorial Current Drifted Surface
051-PN 17-Apr-13 1033 26.8 1.2 34.47 N. Equatorial Current Drifted Surface
056-PN 18-Apr-13 1005 26.4 1.2 34.38 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre Drifted Surface
059-PN 19-Apr-13 1120 25.7 1.1 34.69 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre Drifted Surface
Table 9: Secchi disk data for S246. Station locations as in Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Sea Surface
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(psu)
Chlorophyll
Fluorescence
(volts)
CDOM
Fluorescence
(volts)
Cloud
Cover
Wave
Height
(m)
Wind
Speed
(Beaufort
Force)
Secchi
Depth
(m)
Calculated
1% Level
(m)
General Locale
019-SD 4-Apr-13 1135 26.9 34.36 1.2 41.9 40% 4 3 29.0 78 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
031-SD 12-Apr-13 1037 28.0 34.86 2.0 49.4 30% 8 4 24.0 64 N. Equatorial Countercurrent
Table 10: ARGO float deployment data for S246.
Date Time
(Local)
Latitude
(deg N)
Longitude
(deg W)
Float Serial
Number
Wave Height
(m)
Winds
(Beaufort
Force)
Sea Surface
Temperature
(°C)
Salinity
(psu)
3-Apr-2013 1502 11.92 -159.94 F1086 (#5904269) 2 5 26.6 34.26
18-Apr-2013 1528 13.51 -159.93 F0188 (#5904271) 2 5 26.7 34.41
Both ARGO floats were constructed by and will receive continued support from NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory ARGO
Program (http://floats.pmel.noaa.gov/). Float tracking and processed data may be accessed through the float database at the provided website.
32
Table 11: Surface Photosynthetically Available Radiation Sensor data for S246. Station locations as in
Table 2.
Station
Number
(S246-)
Date Time
(Local)
Cloud
Cover
(%)
Average SPAR
(µEinsteins/m2/sec)
1% Light Value
(µEinsteins/m2/sec)
General Locale
004-SPAR 31-Mar-13 1223 90 1900.5 19.01 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
006-SPAR 1-Apr-13 0802 30 1635.9 16.36 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
007-SPAR 1-Apr-13 1202 65 2015.5 20.16 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
008-SPAR 1-Apr-13 1701 95 640.9 6.41 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
010-SPAR 2-Apr-13 0800 40 1162.5 11.63 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
011-SPAR 2-Apr-13 1217 40 2332.0 23.32 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
012-SPAR 2-Apr-13 1636 40 1694.2 16.94 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
014-SPAR 3-Apr-13 0833 95 799.8 8.00 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
015-SPAR 3-Apr-13 1157 80 1900.9 19.01 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
016-SPAR 3-Apr-13 1649 90 1376.6 13.77 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
018-SPAR 4-Apr-13 0758 30 1046.2 10.46 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
019-SPAR 4-Apr-13 1201 25 2423.6 24.24 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
020-SPAR 4-Apr-13 1655 90 696.6 6.97 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
023-SPAR 5-Apr-13 1754 30 661.3 6.61 N. Equatorial Current
024-SPAR 6-Apr-13 0806 45 1479.8 14.80 N. Equatorial Current
025-SPAR 6-Apr-13 1150 45 2361.8 23.62 N. Equatorial Current
026-SPAR 6-Apr-13 1603 50 1955.8 19.56 N. Equatorial Current
028-SPAR 11-Apr-13 1239 15 No Data No Data Palmyra Waters
030-SPAR 12-Apr-13 0904 70 1849.1 18.49 N. Equatorial Countercurrent
032-SPAR 12-Apr-13 1357 25 2284.5 22.85 N. Equatorial Countercurrent
033-SPAR 12-Apr-13 1728 15 1990.1 19.90 N. Equatorial Countercurrent
037-SPAR 14-Apr-13 0750 70 1331.3 13.31 N. Equatorial Current
038-SPAR 14-Apr-13 1215 55 1984.9 19.85 N. Equatorial Current
039-SPAR 14-Apr-13 1615 35 1895.1 18.95 N. Equatorial Current
041-SPAR 15-Apr-13 0818 30 2267.1 22.67 N. Equatorial Current
043-SPAR 15-Apr-13 1313 10 2234.9 22.35 N. Equatorial Current
044-SPAR 15-Apr-13 1731 70 731.5 7.32 N. Equatorial Current
046-SPAR 16-Apr-13 0800 85 706.1 7.06 N. Equatorial Current
048-SPAR 16-Apr-13 1213 40 2520.2 25.20 N. Equatorial Current
051-SPAR 17-Apr-13 1023 55 2219.8 22.20 N. Equatorial Current
052-SPAR 17-Apr-13 1235 35 2366.6 23.67 N. Equatorial Current
053-SPAR 17-Apr-13 1635 31 2130.4 21.30 N. Equatorial Current
055-SPAR 18-Apr-13 0759 5 2317.7 23.18 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
056-SPAR 18-Apr-13 1201 30 2340.6 23.41 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
057-SPAR 18-Apr-13 1655 80 1178.2 11.78 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
059-SPAR 19-Apr-13 1231 20 2015.4 20.15 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
060-SPAR 19-Apr-13 1715 50 1366.5 13.67 N. Pacific Subtropical Gyre
All SPAR deployments gathered data from a Biospherical Instruments/SeaBird Electronics QSR2100 sensor
(S/N 10301) positioned on top of the science lab for at least 20 minutes.
33
Table 12: Student Research Projects for S246
Temporal and spatial change in carbonate chemistry along N-S transect
in the subtropical Pacific Chloe Holzinger and Dennis Claffey
Pteropod shell degradation and ocean acidification in the equatorial
Pacific Katie Lyon and Marina Stevenson
Chemical and biological analysis of forced upwelling in the North
Pacific Subtropical Gyre Abby Stryker and Laura Jack
Feasibility of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion in the
northern equatorial Pacific Arianna Abram and Josh Sturtevant
The potential for renewable wave energy as a means for powering
autonomous buoys in the equatorial Pacific
Nikiforos Delatolas and Alexandra
Simpson
Alternative energy sources and fuel use assessment for cruise and cargo
ships in the equatorial Pacific
Larkin Bernardi, Mary McGee, Jillian
Lyles and Brianna Sparre
34
Student Research Project Abstracts
Temporal and spatial change in carbonate chemistry along N-S transect in the subtropical Pacific – Chloe
Holzinger and Dennis Claffey
This study uses data from the S246 cruise to assist in gaining a better understanding of the current carbonate
chemistry conditions throughout the region, and to provide carbonate chemistry data along the transect for current
and future studies. Data from past Sea Education Association (SEA) cruises to the same region are used in
conjunction with data gathered from this study to build a timeline tracking any change in seawater carbonate
chemistry of the area over time. There is very little spatial variation at the sea surface for the S246 cruise track. At
400m the NEC, an upwelling zone, generally shows greater signs of acidification, whereas the ER shows signs of
less acidification. At 1200m, pH, DIC, and pCO2 levels from the three regions start to converge. These different
patterns are indicative of the different predominant processes at each depth: at the surface, the carbonate chemistry
is most influenced by the atmospheric and biotic characteristics of the region; at 400m the most influential factor is
whether or not the region is an upwelling zone, and at 1200m the most influential factor is that all samples are from
the same water mass, the SIW. These trends were expected at the start of the study, and are well representative of
the driving physical processes of the region. Variation exists in the carbonate chemistry conditions of the area over
time, is consistent spatially, and does not consistently trend towards more or less acidic. Variation was concluded to
not be due to increasing global ocean acidification.
Pteropod shell degradation and ocean acidification in the equatorial Pacific – Katie Lyon and Marina Stevenson
This study aimed to understand ocean acidification through a biological lens by examining pteropod shell
degradation in the equatorial Pacific. Pteropods, zooplanktonic mollusks with aragonite shells, are particularly
susceptible to the effects of ocean acidification because aragonite saturation levels decrease with an increased
oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide. We took samples of pteropods at 0m and 150m at stations across the S-246 cruise
track and examined collected pteropods for evidence of shell degradation. Shell degradation varied between genera,
with Limacina showing the highest percentage of degradation and Quadridendata showing the highest percentage of
degraded individuals. The percentage of degraded individuals was highest in the North Equatorial Countercurrent.
There was no significant difference between pteropods collected at the surface and at depth. Shell degradation did
not correlate significantly to temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved inorganic carbon, or partial pressure of carbon
dioxide. Our results show that shell degradation varies between pteropod genera but has no significant correlation to
factors for which a relationship was predicted. The equatorial Pacific is an understudied region even though
pteropod biodiversity is highest in the tropics, and further research in this area is needed to understand how ocean
acidification affects this part of the world’s oceans. Our study was a step towards establishing a baseline of
degradation for pteropods in this region; future cruises could expand on our data by adding a temporal aspect.
Chemical and biological analysis of forced upwelling in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre – Abby Stryker and
Laura Jack
Forced upwelling has been proposed as a method to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere by creating a phytoplankton
bloom by forcing deep nutrient rich waters up to the nutrient deprived, low productivity surface. An optimal location
for such a site would be an area of low productivity and high nutrient differences from surface and deep water. The
Redfield ratio (16 N:1 P) was used to determine the optimal nutrient concentrations for creating an algal bloom at a
proposed forced upwelling site. This study analyzed nutrients, chlorophyll-a concentrations, and phytoplankton
populations at the surface, in addition to nitrate and phosphate concentrations at 300 meter and 500 meter depths. At
the surface, diatoms were found to be most common near the equatorial region, the area found to have the highest
nitrate and phosphate concentrations, while dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria were most common within the NPSG
where the lowest nitrate and phosphate concentrations were found along this cruise track. In all areas a high nutrient
gradient from surface to depth was found along this cruise track. The low surface productivity within the NPSG,
combined with the vertical nutrient gradient creates optimal locations for a forced upwelling system. A bloom of
dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria would be expected as a result of forced upwelling in this region.
Feasibility of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion in the northern equatorial Pacific – Arianna Abram and Josh
Sturtevant
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy technology that utilizes the vast resource of the
ocean’s thermal energy to produce electricity. Thermal gradients between the sea surface and deep ocean greater
than 20oC/km make tropical regions ideal for OTEC. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in these equatorial
regions could benefit from the energy independence OTEC provides. Secondary benefits include freshwater and
35
nutrient-rich deep waters, however environmental impacts limit OTEC’s practicality. This study assessed the
feasibility of OTEC in the North Equatorial Pacific region aboard Sea Education Association’s SSV Robert C.
Seamans from Hawaii to Palmyra Atoll. Temperature, nutrient, pH, and pCO2 data was collected along the S246
cruise track in spring 2013. Past cruises were also examined to determine temperature variation through time.
Thermal gradients from surface to one kilometer ranged from 20.3o C to 23.4
o C. Gradients and sea surface
temperature increased with proximity to the equator. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and seasonality
fluctuations between 2008 and 2013 display sea surface temperature variability as great as 4o C. Diurnal fluctuations
were 0.4o C. Phosphate levels were seven times more concentrated at depth; nitrate were 25-140 times more
concentrated at depth. Average pH levels were 8.03 at the surface 7.42 at depth. Average pCO2 levels were 429.18
uatm at the surface and 2250.37 uatm at depth. This study concluded that OTEC is feasible in this region with
consideration to environmental impacts. Long-term studies are suggested to more fully understand climactic changes
and environmental impacts associated with OTEC.
The potential for renewable wave energy as a means for powering autonomous buoys in the equatorial Pacific –
Alexandra Simpson and Nikiforos Delatolas
This paper uses wave data from the National Buoy Data Center to provide an assessment of the potential for the
North Pacific Ocean to support wave powered oceanographic buoys. Using an idealized equation for calculating
wave power, wave height and periodicity information provide a realistic estimate for sizing the available energy
resource. The study found that the region would provide a minimum of 1000 Watts, enough power to operate the
existing infrastructure of the TAO Buoy array using a point source wave energy converter. Specific to the Hawai’i
region, the data set provides an understanding of the temporal variation in wave power. This illustration of annual
power availability will aid in the development of an oceanographic buoy that operates entirely under the renewable
resource of wave energy.
Alternative energy sources and fuel use assessment for cruise and cargo ships in the equatorial Pacific - Larkin
Bernardi, Jillian Lyles, Mary McGee and Brianna Sparre
Emissions from merchant shipping vessels make up a significant proportion of anthropogenic greenhouse gas
emissions worldwide, and fuel costs constitute a major portion of the operational costs for shipping companies.
Using wind and solar data collected from SEA Pacific cruise tracks aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans, in
conjunction with data from satellites, an assessment of the available resources was possible. Such an assessment
reveals patterns in the availability of these resources and quantifies the variability on both a temporal and spatial
scale. Hourly wind data collected continuously using an anemometer aboard SEA research vessels was the basis for
both average wind strengths and directions, while satellite data was used to supplement any gaps in SEA”s spatial or
temporal record. Synthetically Available Photovoltaic Radiation (SPAR) data was also collected along SEA research
cruises and analyzed with data from satellites to give a more complete picture. Availability of resources was used to
determine the feasibility of wind and solar technologies, including SkySails, wind turbines, rigid sails and
photovoltaic cells. Various vessel types were examined to determine each technology’s role in powering the
auxiliary systems on various types of vessels. Wind and solar energy in the areas of interest were found to be
plentifully available, with a consistency that would allow relatively accurate predictions to be made about the
potential financial returns of implementing suggested wind and solar technologies.