By Gary Robinson, University of Newcastle
Day 37 onboard the RRS James Cook and the sight of land is only a matter of hours away. As we approach Bantry Bay, SW Ireland to complete the return leg of EK60 calibrations there are mixed feelings onboard as things are being drawn to a close. Anticipation of setting foot on dry land contrasts heavily with the disappointment of our time at sea coming to an end.
Today the general weather conditions are pretty grumpy with thick grey clouds overhead and a stiff blow kicking up the seas into a decent sized swell. The weather has struggled to deviate from this throughout the trip but despite hurricane Bill, it has been relatively ‘research friendly’ providing extended periods of workable conditions.
After the RPC (Request the Presence of your Company) last night, an evening to celebrate and discuss both the successes and struggles of the cruise, the scientists appeared from their cabins in dribs and drabs. At 12.30 there was a science meeting during which, talks were presented on the benthic research carried out during the cruise. Thomas Linley (Oceanlab) presented a snapshot of the 83GB of data (15,751 images) using time series from the PAL lander to highlight the main trends in species response time to a mackerel bait.
You’ve been framed!
Jessica Craig (Oceanlab) presented her results on bioluminescence of deep sea animals with some video footage of Ostracod bioluminescence. Nikki King (Oceanlab) then presented an analysis of the OTSB trawl fish data we collected during the trip. Over all sites, 6 successful trawls were produced, we processed 1455 demersal fish, which amounted to 282kg of fish, numerous different species, a handful of extremely rare species (including 1 Neocyema sp. which is 1 of only 5 specimens caught worldwide) and a partridge in a pear tree.
From there Alan Hughes (National Oceanography Centre), Claudia Alt (National Oceanography Centre) and Holly Bik (National History Museum) presented the preliminary results from their work on the benthic invertebrates collected in both the OTSB trawls and megacores. Throughout the trip a great number of invertebrates were tirelessly sieved, sorted and identified before key morphometric characteristics were taken and the samples set in Formalin to preserve for further analysis back in the lab. Finally, Will Reid (Newcastle) talked over his work in using stable isotope analysis of invertebrate tissue to determine energy flows through the benthic foodwebs.
As we steam back, with the majority of equipment stored and ready for demobilisation the scientists struggle for sources of entertainment in between the hours or data analysis, project proposals and frantic emailing.
Now into the 3rd day of the RRS James Cook Beard Fest, the team of 5 (Myself-Barry Simpson, Gavin Tilstone, Ben Wigham, Will Reid and Rob Simpson) representing ‘BEARD’ (British Environmentalist’s Against Revealing Derma) set upon the Mexican look with a fine drop cut to chin moustache. A perfect way to approach the Chilli con carne on the menu this evening.
The five amigo's: Game of lizard snatching anyone?
This is to be followed by a Lord of the Rings extended edition marathon – 12 hours of film between 7pm and 7am and a lot of coffee. Perfect timing to see Martin Cox and his team start the long and tedious job of calibrating the EK60 echosounders….good luck with the 1973 Shakespeare beachcaster setup guys.
