CV16035 Biogeochemical Survey

An objective of this programme is to obtain a set of optical data that can be combined with other data sets from real time observations collected from Coastal Monitoring Stations. This will be combined with data collected on pico and nano plankton populations. Chemical experiments: Nutrient and trace metal analysis will take place.

A key objective, involving both trace metals and CDOM, is to examine links in distribution patterns with the photodegradation history of the optically active organic materials. Microplastics: This work aims to assess and categorise the plastic compounds found in Irish waters and to constrain their transport and cycling pathways from source to sink. Another aim of this survey is to carry out a Radon/Radium analysis of seawater from several different aquatic environments.

The objective of these experiments will be firstly to develop a model that describes the depositional rate and transport mechanisms of these elements in an Irish inshore to offshore context. Zoological sampling: Jellyfish and fish larvae. The main objective of the jellyfish survey is to ground truth the surface abundance counts of these animals.

The objective of the fish larvae survey is to collect data on species abundance.