CRUISE REPORT: HLY0601
(Updated MAR 2015)




Highlights

                           Cruise Summary Information

           Section Designation  HLY0601
Expedition designation (Alias)  32H120060507 (SLIPP06)
              Chief Scientists  Dr. Jackie M. Grebmeier / UTK
                         Dates  2006 MAY 7 - 2006 JUN 5 
                          Ship  HEALY
                 Ports of call  Dutch Harbor

                                               65° 42' 40" N
         Geographic Boundaries  179° 39' 47" W               168° 54' 47" W
                                               60° 2' 49" N

                      Stations  118
  Floats and drifters deployed  0
Moorings deployed or recovered  0

                              Contact Information:
                            Dr. Jackie M. Grebmeier
                  University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37932
         Tel: 865-974-2592, Fax: 865-974-7896, email: jgrebmei@utk.edu
























                               HLY0601 (SLIPP06)

         Climate-Driven Changes in Impacts of Benthic Predators in the
                              Northern Bering Sea
                    (NSF-OPP-ARC-0454454), 7 May-5 June 2006

PIs: Dr. Jackie M. Grebmeier
       (ph. 865-974-2592, fax 865-974-7896, email: jgrebmei@utk.edu, 
       University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37932 (Chief Scientist)
     Dr. Lee W. Cooper, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Co-Chief Scientist)
     Dr. James R. Lovvorn, University of Wyoming (PI and lead helo survey component)

Participants: Graduate student (GS), Undergraduate student (US), Elementary 
              School Student (S), Technical support (T)

  • Sherry Cui (GS), Adam Humphrey (US), Ruth Cooper (S), Rebecca Pirtle-Levy 
    (T), Mikhail Blikshteyn (T), University of Tennessee Knoxville
  • Dr. Marjorie Brooks, Jason Kolts (GS), Christopher North (GS), Casey 
    Quitmeyer (T), University of Wyoming
  • Dr. Boris Sirenko, Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. 
    Petersburg
  • Beth Cassie (GS), Kinuyo Kanamaru (GS), University of Massachusetts, 
    Amherst (lead: Julie Brigham-Grette)
  • Dr. Carleton Ray and Jerry McCormick-Ray , University of Virginia
  • Hydrographic support: John Calderwood (T), Teresa Kacena (T), Scripps 
    Institute of Oceanography
  • TREC: Samantha Barlow, The Oak Ridge School, North Carolina and Patricia 
    Janes, Scholastic, Inc., NY
  • Markus Janout (GS), University of Alaska Fairbanks (lead: Tom Weingartner)
  • Dr. Karen Frey, University of Virginia
  • Gay Sheffield (T), Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks
  • Andrew Delorey (GS), University of Hawaii (lead: Margo Edwards)
  • Science support: Steve Roberts (T), University of Colorado; Tom Bolner (T), 
    Wood Hole Oceanographic Institute
  • Elizabeth Labunski (T), US Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage
  • Media: Karen de Seve (Liberty Science Center, NJ) and Annie Feidt (Alaska 
    National Public Radio)
  • Perry Pungowiyi, Savoonga local participant
  • Helo component: Jim Dell (helo pilot), Charles Sims (mechanic), Alex Stone 
    (helo manager)


A. PROJECT SUMMARY

Perhaps the most striking evidence of global climate change is decreased extent 
of arctic sea ice and recent studies indicate associated environmental changes 
south of St. Lawrence Island (SLI) in the SLI polynya region (SLIP). Despite 
research on the consequences of sea-ice change for physical oceanography and 
weather, effects on arctic marine food webs from microbes to top predators are 
by comparison very poorly understood. Our field research is investigating a 
major mechanism by which sea-ice change might affect the very productive, 
benthic-dominated food webs on shallow arctic shelves -expansion of the ranges 
and numbers of mobile benthic predators owing to increased temperature of 
bottom water. When winter sea ice melts on the north-central Bering Sea shelf, 
a pool of cold bottom water (<1°C) forms that persists through summer and 
reduces the numbers and growth of crabs and groundfish. The size of the cold 
pool decreases with decreasing ice extent. This area is currently the sole 
wintering site of the world population of the benthic-feeding Spectacled Eider 
(SPEI), a principal top predator. Expansion of competing crab and fish 
predators as ice cover declines and the cold pool contracts may affect food 
availability for the eiders. In this project, our main research questions are

Question 1: Is the benthic food web in the north-central Bering Sea limited by 
  top-down control by predators? We are collecting data needed to model the 
  total impact of predators on their main benthic prey in the northcentral 
  Bering Sea. These predators include SPEI, groundfish, snow crabs, sea stars, 
  and gastropods.

Question 2: Are the overwinter survival and/or prebreeding condition of SPEI 
  being impacted by climate driven trends in ice cover that are allowing 
  populations of competing crabs and groundfish to expand? We are using past 
  and current data to simulate impacts on the energy balance of the main 
  endotherm predator (SPEI) of variations in crab and groundfish populations 
  expected to occur with changes in ice cover and resulting temperature of 
  bottom water.

Question 3: Are the time-series benthic system changes observed south of St. 
  Lawrence Island continuing and are they forced by bottom-up (hydrographic) or 
  top-down (predator) interactions, or both? We are collecting data to continue 
  our long-term (1950-2005) record of benthic communities and carbon cycling 
  processes in this area, which is essential to analyses in this project. These 
  data will also indicate whether declines in organic matter supply to 
  sediments that we have measured at a subset of stations have occurred 
  throughout the area, and whether these declines correspond to a decrease in 
  direct precipitation of phytoplankton during and after the ice-edge spring 
  bloom.



B. OVERVIEW SUMMARY OF HLY0601 FIELD SAMPLING

In our shipboard sampling, we used a profiling conductivity-temperature-depth 
(CTD) and rosette system for collecting physical and hydrochemical samples. 
Water samples were taken using 12 30-liter-Niskin bottles. Subsamples from 
multiple CTD/rosette casts were used for chlorophyll content, nutrients, 
particulate organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, zooplankton, benthic 
population measurements and sediment tracers. A vertical net was used to 
collect zooplankton for population measurements. Benthic van Veen grabs and a 
HAPS benthic corer were used to collect benthic fauna and sediment samples for 
population, community structure, food web, sediment chemistry and metabolism 
studies. An otter trawl was used to collect epifauna for population and stable 
isotope and lipid content measurements. Besides the standard ship sensors 
(atmospheric, seawater temperature, chlorophyll, multibeam), we collected 
atmospheric methane (a greenhouse gas) and berrylium-7 (a natural radioisotope 
used for tracing particulate deposition to the sediments). Both bridge and 
helicopter operations were used for seabird, marine mammal and sea ice surveys. 
Further details beyond this summary are provided in the full cruise report to 
be posted at http://arctic.bio.utk.edu/ and the USCG website soon.

We occupied 118 stations during HLY0601 from the northern Bering Sea, starting 
south of St. Lawrence Island and extending to Bering Strait (Fig. 1).


Fig. 1: Final station grid for HLY0601. Note that we remained 30 miles offshore 
        from St. Lawrence Island (SLI) until the first week of June per an 
        agreement with local hunters to minimize contact with marine mammal 
        hunting. However, local Gambell and Savoonga IRA leaders approved our 
        request to work within the 30-mile limit south of SLI upon our 2nd 
        return to the region.



The overall approach in this study is as follows:

1. We are continuing our time-series benthic measurements with multiple van 
   Veen and HAPS benthic corer deployments. We have provided sediment 
   subsamples for paleoclimate studies to U Massachusetts participants to 
   develop a training set of modern sediments and diatom content in order to 
   infer sea-ice duration on diatom assemblages.

2. We are measuring the densities (by size class) of clams, predatory 
   gastropods, sea stars (asteroids), snow crabs, and groundfish in the 
   wintering area of (SPEI) collected via trawling.

3. Profiles of salinity and temperature, macronutrients, δ 18 O values, and 
   chlorophyll a in the water column were measured at each station from CTD 
   rosette samples. These data provide an oceanographic water mass context for 
   our study, including data to analyze contributions of nutrients, sea ice 
   melt, brine and runoff contributions. In addition, we deployed a PAR/UV 
   vertical measuring meter in the water column to 100 m depth after retrieval 
   of the CTD.

4. We are investigating the diets of predators collected using analyses of gut 
   contents, stable isotopes, and fatty acids of zooplankton and benthic 
   collections. We are measuring prey size class of both predators and prey 
   when possible. Based on the literature, we will develop estimates of the 
   food intake per individual per day of the predators, considering the size 
   classes of each predator.

5. We mounted a methane detector on the upper forecastle deck, upwind of the 
   stacks for atmospheric methane measurements for the full duration of the 
   cruise.

6. Satellite observations of ice were evaluated via normal bridge obtained 
   imagery and free web accessed products during the course of the cruise. In 
   addition, we also obtained SAR satellite imagery data to investigate 
   linkages between sea ice variability, polynyas (persistent openings in sea 
   ice cover), and chlorophyll biomass throughout the northern Bering Sea 
   region.

7. We had observations of marine mammals in association with sea-ice, along 
   with seabirds, through cooperative programs of the University of Virginia 
   and the USFWS.

8. The multibeam system used through collaboration with a participant from the 
   University of Hawaii, with a study focus on the region SW of SLI. The 
   shipboard service team also maintained various sensor systems on the Healy, 
   including the multibeam system.

9. Limited ice seal observations, tagging and tissue collections were 
   undertaken via small boat operations with a colleague from the Alaska Dept. 
   of Fish & Game to investigate ice seal stock structure, migration routes, 
   and dispersal patterns of ice seals that occur in the northern Bering Sea.

10. We hosted a middle school teacher and an Editor from Scholastic, Inc. for 
    the full length of the cruise as part of the TREC (Teachers and Researchers 
    Experiencing the Arctic), with PI Cooper as the lead organizer. These 
    educators maintained shipboard catalog postings on the web, wrote articles 
    and hosted conference calls during the cruise. We also interacted with 
    school children and teachers in Gambell and Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island 
    during the first few weeks of the cruise while they were still in school. 
    Our middle school participant prepared her own journals on the science 
    project and answered many email questions from peers across the U.S. 
    Further information is available at the TREC website: 
    http://www.arcus.org/TREC .

11. We interacted with the local Native communities in the region and sponsored 
    a participant from Savoonga, St. Lawrence Island in Alaska for 5 days 
    during 
    the cruise.


12. We included two media representatives on the ship the last week of May, 2006.

The Captain, officers and crew of the USCGC Healy provided outstanding support 
that was essential to the success of the cruise goals. We appreciated the 
continued, professional support provided by Commanding Officer Captain Daniel 
Oliver, Executive Officer CDR Jeffrey Jackson, Operations Officer LCDR James 
Dalitch, Engineering Officer LCDR John Reeves and Master Chief Navigator BMCS 
Timothy Sullivan. Valuable support for science was provided by the lead Marine 
Science Technician (MST) MSTC Don Snider and MSTC Mark Rieg, and the other MSTs 
(MST1 Eric Rocklage, MST1 Rob Olmstead, MST2 Josh Robinson, and MST3 Chad 
Klinesteker). We also appreciated the fine efforts of the late Science Officer 
LTJG Jessica Hill during preparation and deployment of this cruise. The 
Aviation Detachment, including Jim Dell (pilot), Charles Sims (mechanic), and 
Alex Stone (helo manager) provided excellent science survey support for 
seabird, marine and ice surveys. We thank Andy Heiberg of the University of 
Washington for assistance during the load period in Seattle. We are grateful 
for the assistance of Vera Metcalf (Executive Director) of the Eskimo Walrus 
Commission, George Noongwook, IRA Council and AEWC representative, Village of 
Savoonga and Tyler Campbell, IRA Council and Merlin Koonooka, AEWC 
representative, Village of Gambell, for their liaison activities with the local 
Native communities on St. Lawrence Island. This work was financially supported 
by the U.S. National Science Foundation Grant # OPP-ARC-0454454.



                    HLY0601 MID-CRUISE REPORT, 21 MAY 2006


1. Sea Ice Observations

   Karen Frey, University of Tennessee Knoxville and College of William and 
   Mary, Virginia


As of 19 May 2006 at 18:30 UTC, sea ice observations have been made from the 
Healy bridge (05 deck) at 89 sites south of St. Lawrence Island (Table 1). 
The bridge is ~60 ft. above sea level and has a maximum of ~9.6 miles of 
visibility. Sea ice observations are taken during daylight hours while the ship 
is in transit. Ideally, observations are taken once per hour, although while 
the ship is moving through dynamic ice conditions, more frequent observations 
have been made. The following general parameters (with further details within 
each category) are recorded at each site:

  a) Time and geographic coordinates of report
  b) Ship navigation (e.g.,, speed, heading, progress)
  c) Meteorological and hydrological variables (e.g., air temperature, air 
     pressure, wind speed/direction, visibility, cloud cover, surface water 
     temperature, surface water salinity, water depth)
  d) Ice conditions (e.g., ice concentration, ice type, floe size, ice 
     thickness
  e) Snow conditions
  f) Surface melting conditions
  g) Sediment content
  h) Algae content
  I) Water conditions (e.g., width of leads, sea state, etc.)
  j) Digital photographs logged at each site (one each taken from starboard and 
     port, with additional photos of notable features) (e.g., Figures 1 , 2 )

These observations will continue throughout the remainder of the cruise. To 
date, ~800 digital photographs have been taken of ice conditions. The measured 
parameters and digital photographs will primarily be used to validate satellite 
imagery (e.g., AVHRR, MODIS, QuickScat, SSM/I, etc.) of sea ice conditions and 
cover once onshore upon completion of the cruise. As weather conditions have 

been quite cloudy over the last ~10 days, it is clear that visible/near-
infrared imagery (e.g., AVHRR, MODIS) will not be useful during this time and 
radar imagery will instead be utilized. In addition, sea ice observations were 
made on one helicopter flight on 18 May 2006. Conditions were not ideal as 
visibility was low, however 53 sea ice observations (i.e., geographic 
coordinates and digital photographs) were still collected. These aerial 
photographs will be an invaluable addition in interpreting satellite imagery of 
sea ice cover upon return to shore from the cruise. It is hoped that further 
sea ice observations will be made with helicopter transects during the 
remainder of the cruise.

 
Figure 1: Example ice observation photograph from the bridge.

Figure 2: Example of snow cover, sea ice stratigraphy, and basal ice algal 
          layer.


Table 1: Ice Observation Summary Table (only representative parameters are 
         shown) for the period 2006/05/08 17:31 thru 2006/05/19 21:32 UTC

Start Time   Start Lat    Start Lon     Air    Wind     Total    Dominant ice   Floe size of 
   (UTC)                                Temp   Speed    Ice      type           dominant ice type
                                        (C)    (knots)  Concen-                 
                                                        tration
----------  -----------  -------------  -----  -------  -------  -------------  --------------------
2006/05/08  57:39.78751  -169:25.15257  -2.39   0012.7     5%    3 - brash ice  0 - brash(<10m)
17:31:33                                                                 

2006/05/08  57:58.54736  -169:42.02734  -3.55   0010.5    70%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
18:57:12                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/08  58:15.86603  -169:57.06565  -2.91   0009.1    75%    6 - pancakes   2 - ice cakes(<20m)
20:13:21                                                              

2006/05/08  58:48.41824  -170:25.66000  -1.51   0007.5    80%    6 - pancakes   2 - ice cakes(<20m)
22:37:57                                                               
                                                                 

2006/05/08  58:53.83966  -170:29.15860  -1.90   0007.3    25%    0 - frazil     0 - brash(<10m)
23:01:15                                                                      

2006/05/09  59:09.39021  -170:38.10894  -1.64   0007.1    75%    9 - first-     3 - small floes 
00:10:36                                                         year white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice         

2006/05/09  59:20.95674  -170:44.63731  -1.26   0008.7    80%    6 - pancakes   3 - small floes 
01:02:16                                                                        (<100m)

2006/05/09  59:32.34548  -170:50.88911  -3.05   0018.7    80%    6 - pancakes           ---
02:00:41                                                                        

2006/05/09  59:41.00346  -170:57.56138  -3.81   0018.4    75%    9 - first-     6 - large/giant
02:41:56                                                         year white     floes (>1000 m)
                                                                 ice         

2006/05/09  60:18.61240  -171:15.43361  -5.09   0011.6    90%    9 - first-     6 - large/giant
06:26:21                                                         year white     floes (>1000 m)
                                                                 ice         

2006/05/09  61:23.20745  -171:56.46345  -3.67   0015.4    25%    2 - grease     3 - small floes 
16:17:09                                                                        (<100m)

2006/05/09  61:23.18920  -171:56.54484  -3.17   0011.5    30%    2 - grease     3 - small floes 
18:01:42                                                                        (<100m)

2006/05/09  61:23.31117  -171:58.25494  -3.69   0002.4    10%    2 - grease     3 - small floes 
21:06:54                                                                        (<100m)

2006/05/09  61:27.03250  -172:18.47748  -3.30   0009.7    25%    2 - grease     3 - small floes 
22:11:29 2                                                                      (<100m)

2006/05/09  61:32.66241  -172:48.49233  -3.17   0019.1     0%         ---               ---
23:12:57 

2006/05/10  61:33.13504  -172:58.10876  -2.66   0012.9     0%         ---               ---
05:09:28 

2006/05/10  61:53.40435  -174:24.07673  -3.17   0007.4    25%    9 - first-             ---
17:43:16                                                         year white     
                                                                 ice            

2006/05/10  61:54.35119  -174:25.02246  -3.56   0008.4    25%    9 - first-     1 - individual
18:13:30                                                         year white     pancakes(<10m)
                                                                 ice            

2006/05/10  61:56.83668  -174:41.78045  -3.81   0008.4    50%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
18:59:04                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/10  62:00.36202  -175:04.25009  -3.81   0004.0    50%    9 - first-     3 - small floes 
22:26:23                                                         year white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice         

2006/05/11  62:03.76532  -175:15.51369  -2.02   0010.8    10%    6 - pancakes           ---
05:27:27                                                                        

2006/05/11  62:04.82441  -175:25.29352  -2.66   0012.1    25%    6 - pancakes   2 - ice cakes(<20m)
06:01:21                                                         
   
2006/05/11  62:05.78581  -175:32.50333  -3.17   0011.7   100%    9 - first-     2 - ice cakes(<20m)
06:17:48                                                         year white     
                                                                 ice

2006/05/11  62:09.25340  -175:56.75492  -3.80   0013.8    90%    9 - first-             ---
07:12:29                                                         year white     
                                                                 ice            

2006/05/11  62:08.78371  -176:01.33622  -3.55   0012.5    25%    6 - pancakes   2 - ice cakes(<20m)
07:32:43

2006/05/11  62:26.70994  -174:44.10936  -2.91   0015.7    75%    8 - young              ---
17:34:33                                                         grey-white 
                                                                 ice

2006/05/11  62:24.86794  -174:36.94005  -2.78   0015.3    30%    6 - pancakes   2 - ice cakes(<20m)
17:51:22                                                         

2006/05/11  62:24.05478  -174:34.98929  -1.37   0014.1    25%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
21:51:16                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/12  62:35.52777  -174:09.88524  -1.00   0019.2    75%    9 - first-     4 - small floes
06:03:16                                                         year white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice            

2006/05/12  62:33.97953  -173:55.48652  -1.26   0026.7    90%    6 - pancakes   4 - small floes
07:07:00                                                                        (<100m)

2006/05/12  62:33.13870  -173:50.71148  -1.13   0028.6    30%    6 - pancakes   3 - small floes 
07:28:17                                                                        (<100m)

2006/05/12  62:05.39759  -172:56.62609  -0.49   0034.9     0%         ---               ---
19:13:23

2006/05/12  62:02.16261  -172:53.91099  -0.36   0033.7     0%    3 - brash ice          ---
23:53:53

2006/05/13  62:01.27031  -172:48.19784  -0.36   0035.2     0%         ---               ---
00:07:57

2006/05/13  61:53.20012  -172:09.12066  -0.36   0028.3     0%         ---               ---
05:39:54

2006/05/13  61:51.09001  -171:57.71922  -0.74   0034.1     0%         ---               ---
06:19:31

2006/05/13  62:24.40877  -172:37.43930  -0.87   0021.3     0%         ---               ---
19:46:37

2006/05/14  62:23.51035  -172:42.57351  -0.22   0022.5     0%         ---               ---
00:13:54

2006/05/14  62:23.13806  -172:56.79686  -0.48   0020.2    10%    9 - first-     3 - small floes 
01:09:23                                                         year white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice         

2006/05/14  62:24.25379  -173:06.63749  -0.23   0016.7    95%    9 - first-     2 - ice cakes(<20m)
01:34:33                                                         year white     
                                                                 ice         

2006/05/14  62:24.40921  -173:25.18305  -0.49   0018.7     0%         ---               ---
02:17:45

2006/05/14  62:39.26686  -173:24.87222  -1.10   0015.2     0%         ---               ---
20:55:51

2006/05/15  62:41.18961  -173:23.63892  -1.12   0003.8     0%         ---               ---
00:38:27

2006/05/15  62:40.89801  -173:23.17060  -0.35   0020.8     0%         ---               ---
02:04:30

2006/05/15  62:44.00846  -173:24.62980  -0.60   0021.7     0%         ---               ---
02:17:34

2006/05/15  62:45.45099  -173:24.87127  -1.37   0006.7     0%         ---               ---
06:48:31

2006/05/15  62:47.25278  -173:51.94349  -1.12   0006.1     0%         ---               ---
09:18:07

2006/05/15  62:54.04990  -174:32.97257  -2.14   0021.4    50%    3 - brash ice  1 - individual
17:42:16                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/15  62:49.40346  -174:42.21440  -2.01   0020.6    80%    3 - brash ice  2 - ice cakes(<20m)
18:09:10                                                                        

2006/05/15  62:44.46824  -174:51.47251  -1.64   0024.4    75%    8 - young      3 - small floes 
18:38:06                                                         grey-white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice

2006/05/15  62:43.30359  -174:53.79879  -1.64   0020.2     0%         ---               ---
18:45:12

2006/05/15  62:40.28223  -174:59.30663  -1.51   0023.8    50%    3 - brash ice  2 - ice cakes(<20m)
19:02:15

2006/05/15  62:30.07534  -175:17.36621  -0.74   0020.0    60%    3 - brash ice  2 - ice cakes(<20m)
20:07:03

2006/05/16  62:37.67357  -175:15.89365  -1.37   0026.7     5%    3 - brash ice          ---
02:14:26

2006/05/16  62:38.00775  -175:14.17943  -1.12   0037.8    25%    6 - pancakes   2 - ice cakes(<20m)
02:19:01

2006/05/16  62:38.37303  -175:11.14432  -1.37   0038.6     0%         ---               ---
02:25:47

2006/05/16  62:44.69162  -174:47.28627  -1.37   0038.1     5%    3 - brash ice  0 - brash(<10m)
03:23:19

2006/05/16  62:46.55773  -174:43.41954  -1.24   0039.5    50%    6 - pancakes   2 - ice cakes(<20m)
03:34:16

2006/05/16  62:58.20557  -173:51.09964  -0.99   0039.6     0%         ---               ---
05:32:42

2006/05/16  63:00.03810  -173:31.83532  -0.99   0037.5     0%         ---               ---
06:12:03

2006/05/16  63:00.95020  -173:26.50885  -1.37   0022.7     0%         ---               ---
06:28:23

2006/05/16  63:06.17568  -173:08.10533  -0.73   0018.4     0%    3 - brash ice  0 - brash(<10m)
17:43:05

2006/05/16  63:06.77572  -173:06.28346  -0.48   0029.1     0%         ---               ---
18:57:04

2006/05/16  63:08.28401  -173:13.40370  -0.35   0022.6    95%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
19:43:21                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/16  63:10.83314  -173:24.29438  -0.09   0022.9    10%    3 - brash ice          ---
20:07:20

2006/05/16  63:12.72108  -173:31.82205   0.04   0021.7    10%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
20:24:15                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/16  63:14.64345  -173:39.03133   0.55   0028.1    75%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
20:43:19                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/17  62:58.09377  -173:00.55208  -0.99   0026.5     0%         ---               ---
05:32:53

2006/05/17  62:45.38222  -172:41.73730  -0.73   0031.7     0%         ---               ---
17:12:34

2006/05/18  62:30.45463  -171:56.87335  -0.48   0030.6     5%    3 - brash ice          ---
00:48:06

2006/05/18  62:30.22933  -171:52.21457  -0.60   0028.0    10%    6 - pancakes   0 - brash(<10m)
00:58:06

2006/05/18  62:29.78150  -171:50.86149  -0.48   0031.0     5%    3 - brash ice  0 - brash(<10m)
01:07:35

2006/05/18  62:26.45566  -171:49.89736  -0.73   0026.6     5%    9 - first-     1 - individual
05:16:04                                                         year white     pancakes(<10m)
                                                                 ice         

2006/05/18  62:25.89768  -171:48.18421  -0.60   0025.5    10%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
05:21:10                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/18  62:24.78677  -171:46.41606  -0.48   0025.1    25%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
05:28:53                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/18  62:24.21736  -171:45.68403  -0.60   0029.0    25%    3 - brash ice  0 - brash(<10m)
05:34:06

2006/05/18  62:23.14846  -171:43.17353  -0.73   0025.6    10%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
05:42:51                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/18  62:19.25387  -171:37.46256  -0.60   0028.3    10%    6 - pancakes   1 - individual
06:15:17                                                                        pancakes(<10m)

2006/05/18  62:17.71948  -171:35.82019  -0.60   0027.0     1%    3 - brash ice  0 - brash(<10m)
06:25:08

2006/05/18  62:16.72349  -171:34.51772  -0.60   0023.8     0%         ---               ---
06:32:46

2006/05/18  62:08.45050  -170:30.81067  -0.73   0013.2    90%    9 - first-     3 - small floes 
16:22:35                                                         year white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice

2006/05/18  62:10.52960  -170:29.33750  -0.73   0015.6    80%    9 - first-     4 - small floes
16:40:28                                                         year white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice

2006/05/18  62:16.54075  -170:22.33230  -0.86   0009.4    80%    9 - first-     4 - small floes
17:26:45                                                         year white     (<100m)
                                                                 ice

2006/05/18  62:19.16254  -170:18.30103  -0.99   0015.3     5%    9 - first-     1 - individual
17:43:09                                                         year white     pancakes(<10m)
                                                                 ice

2006/05/18  62:21.70116  -170:15.36419  -0.99   0012.1    10%    9 - first-     1 - individual
17:56:50                                                         year white     pancakes(<10m)
                                                                 ice

2006/05/18  62:23.79364  -170:09.67374  -0.86   0014.4    25%    9 - first-     2 - ice cakes(<20m)
18:12:38                                                         year white     
                                                                 ice

2006/05/18  62:25.64448  -170:03.55628  -0.99   0013.1    50%    9 - first-     2 - ice cakes(<20m)
18:39:03                                                         year white     
                                                                 ice

2006/05/19  62:56.46513  -172:35.52514  -1.12   0012.2     0%         ---               ---
18:45:45

2006/05/19  62:59.01366  -172:55.87001  -1.12   0010.0    10%    9 - first-             ---
21:32:07                                                         year white     
                                                                 ice



2. Physical Oceanography-Markus Janout, University of Alaska Fairbanks

As of May 19th, stations 1-38 (see table) have been profiled using a SeaBird 
SBE911 Plus Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) sonde, equipped with each two 
temperature and conductivity sensors, a pressure sensor, as well as altimeter, 
transmissometer, fluorometer and an oxygen sensor. Water samples were taken 
using 12 30-liter-Niskin bottles. No significant technical problems occurred 
during the survey, apart from freshwater freezing on sensors when the CTD 
enters subzero surface waters. Occasionally the pumps delivering seawater to 
the conductivity sensor did not start, but flushing the system with freshwater 
solved the problem as usual. The data was processed using the SeaBird software 
and averaged into 1m bins.

The study region appears to be distinguishable by fresher eastern waters, 
influenced by Alaska Coastal Water typical for the eastern Bering Sea shelf. 
The eastern area, i.e. east of the SIL-line is well mixed from surface to 
bottom with the lowest salinities throughout the water column found so far. The 
stations west of the SIL-line are mostly stratified, but show strong variations 
in their individual profiles. Bottom water properties are shown in Figures 1 
and 2. Cold water near the freezing point of seawater is found at the bottom of 
most stations. The only station with noticeable influence of Bering Slope water 
(?) washing up the slope was detected at station DLN5, the westernmost station 
of the sampling grid. Warm and saline water comprises a <10m thick bottom layer 
with salinity of 32.3 and temperatures of -0.2degC, the warmest water found so 
far. The highest bottom salinities (~32.6 psu) are found in the “hot spot”-
region around station 21. Bottom temperatures are near the freezing point and 
salinity values are highest in the area (~32.6 psu). Densest waters are found 
there in connection with maximum integrated fluorescence and strongest 
stratification. Lowest salinities (31.5 psu) are found in regions influenced by 
Alaska Coastal Water in the southwest corner of the grid.

 
Figures 1,2: Salinity and temperature of the bottom waters. (*) indicates 
             station location.

 
The vertical structure across the SLIP region is best explained by cross-
section in the east-west (zonal) (Figures 3,4,5) and the north-south 
(meridional) (Figures 6-9) direction. The density of seawater in cold regions 
is mainly a function of salinity. Temperature variations throughout the region 
are small and their effect on baroclinic structure negligible. Zonal transects 
along stations numbered 4 and 5, i.e. along the seaward side of the grid show 
increasing salinity from east to west. The eastern water column is well mixed 
and fresh, and western stations are stratified. Bottom waters along the 
transect closest to the island are saline and at the freezing point. Whether 
these water masses are advected from the Anadyr current or whether they are 
formed locally needs to be determined.

A meridional cross-section shows cold and saline bottom water limited to two 
stations closest to the island. The overlying water column is warmest (-1.2 
deg C) close to the island at SWC2. The “warm water” occurs in concert with 
maximum relative fluorescence and maximum oxygen values, measured by the CTD.


Figures 3,4,5: East-west salinity cross-sections. Little map in lower corner of 
               figures shows location of the transects.

Figures 6,7,8,9: Meridional salinity, temperature, fluorescence and oxygen 
                 cross-section.

 
The temperature-salinity relation (Figure 10) summarizes the influence of 
different water masses in the study region. Most bottom waters are located near 
the freezing point of seawater. Only a few data points (from the bottom of one 
station) show warmer, relatively saline water possibly originating from the 
Bering Slope region. The densest waters closest to St. Lawrence Island (SLI), 
with the highest salinities and coldest temperatures found in the area so far, 
could originate from a branch of the Anadyr Current or they could be remainders 
of bottom water formed in the winter. Repeat casts of the area around NWC2 show 
in part very different characteristics in the bottom water, in particular a 
significant increase in salinity, which might underline the importance of 
advection of waters from the Gulf of Anadyr into the SLIP region. Further 
insights might be expected from an extension of the grid closer to SLI towards 
the end of the cruise.

 
Figure 10: Temperature-salinity diagram. Green contours show lines of constant 
           density. Dotted line indicates the freezing point of seawater.


Table 1: Station list

                   Station Nr  Lat     Lon      Name
                   ----------  ------  -------  ------
                        1      61.388  -171.95  'NEC5'
                        2      61.564  -172.92  'SEC5'
                        3      61.721  -173.61  'SIL5'
                        4      61.893  -174.36  'SWC5'
                        5      62.018  -175.06  'VNG1'
                        6      62.056  -175.2   'NWC5'
                        7      62.149  -176.02  'DLN5'
                        8      62.388  -174.55  'NWC4'
                        9      62.563  -174.18  'NWC4A'
                       10      62.555  -173.84  'VNG3'
                       11      62.243  -173.74  'SWC4'
                       12      62.092  -172.95  'SIL4'
                       13      61.931  -172.21  'SEC4'
                       14      61.775  -171.31  'NEC4'
                       15      62.439  -172.31  'SIL3'
                       16      62.401  -172.69  'POP4'
                       17      62.413  -173.44  'SWC4A'
                       18      62.579  -173.07  'SWC3'
                       19      62.569  -173.57  'VNG3.5'
                       20      62.674  -173.36  'CD1'
                       21      62.751  -173.4   'VNG4'
                       22      62.782  -173.88  'NWC3'
                       23      62.9    -174.58  'DLN3'
                       24      62.516  -175.3   'DLN4'
                       25      63.03   -173.45  'NWC2.5'
                       26      63.117  -173.14  'NWC2'
                       27      63.272  -173.75  'DLN2'
                       28      62.969  -172.99  'VNG5'
                       29      62.757  -172.71  'SWC3A'
                       30      62.57   -172.29  'POP3A'
                       31      62.498  -171.85  'SEC2.5'
                       32      62.283  -171.56  'SEC3'
                       33      62.059  -170.63  'NEC3'
                       34      62.431  -170.06  'NEC2'
                       35      62.473  -170.96  'NEC2.5'
                       36      62.606  -170.95  'SEC2'
                       37      62.758  -171.67  'SIL2'
                       38      62.915  -172.28  'SWC2'



3a.  Water column chlorophyll, oxygen-18, sediment tracers, methane/UV-Lee

Cooper, co-chief scientist. University of Tennessee Knoxville In addition to 
managing shipboard research operations 12 hours per day, I have been working 
with other shipboard participants in water and sediment sampling, and progress 
on these tasks is tabulated on the attached Excel file. I am specifically 
contributing to the chlorophyll measurement effort that is being undertaken 
shipboard for both water column and chlorophyll samples from surface sediments. 
Chlorophyll concentrations in the water column have been very high, up to 20 μg 
L-1, and up to 800 mg m-3 integrated over the whole water column. This reflects 
an on-going diatom bloom that remains for now in the upper water column. We are 
also beginning to see a sinking of the chlorophyll biomass at some stations in 
the water column and increases in chlorophyll deposited on the sea floor.

Other water sampling being undertaken is for stable oxygen isotopes in seawater 
and for nutrients. These water mass indicators are primarily being collected at 
three depths because of the simple water structure of the shallow water column 
and consideration of the budget available for analytical costs. Nutrient and 
stable isotope determinations will be made in shore-based laboratories 
following the cruise.

Surface sediment samples are being collected for total organic carbon, the 
natural, particle-reactive radionuclide beryllium-7, and pigment analyses by 
HPLC. These analyses will also be undertaken once the cruise is over onshore.

Atmospheric measurements underway aboard the ship include sea surface methane 
concentrations using an analyzer made available to us by LGR, Inc. of Mountain 
View, California through an educational loan. Data obtained so far show low-
level variation in atmospheric methane, between 1.4 to 1.5 ppm. Slightly lower 
concentrations were observed over deeper portions of the Bering Sea en route 
from Dutch Harbor, with a slight apparent increase while we worked south of St. 
Lawrence Island on the shelf. Concentrations appear to have declined following 
our transit north of the island. The airsea flux of beryllium-7 in 
precipitation is also being measured and will be determined following the 
cruise at the University of Tennessee.

Outreach efforts with two educators onboard the ship have included helping to 
review journals, participating in a live conference call (more are planned) and 
otherwise accommodate needs so that the TREC outreach program is supported. We 
have also sent eight podcast interviews of scientists aboard the ship ashore 
for posting on the TREC website at http://www.arcus.org/TREC. Ruth Cooper, a 
middle school student who is participating in the cruise as part of the science 
party, is also receiving assistance from me in answering numerous questions 
from students in schools across the country and I have also helped her develop 
a on-ship web site to highlight the questions she is answering and her own 
experiences that are described in several journal entries. I am also 
coordinating the delivery of information to two media representatives that will 
join the cruise this coming week.


Table: Matrix of sample collections to date for HLY0601 water and sediment 
       components, Cooper and Grebmeier. 

CTD Sampling                                Benthic Sampling

Stn  Stn    NUTs      O-18      chl a   BW     Sed.   Mari   TOC  HPLC  van    X-HAPS   X-HAPS
 #   Name   (BW,      (BW,      all     for    chl a  nelli             Veen   for in-  for sec-
            Mid       Mid       depths  Incu-                           grabs  cuba-    tioning
            Depth,    Depth,            ba-                             (4)    tions    (1)
            surface)  surface)          tions                                  (2)      
---  -----  --------  --------  ------  -----  -----  -----  ---  ----  -----  -------  --------
 1   NEC5      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 2   SEC5      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 3   SIL5      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 4   SWC5      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 5   VNG1      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 6   NWC5      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 7   DLN5      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 8   NWC4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
 9   NWC4A     X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
10   VNG3      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
11   SWC4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
12   SIL4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
13   SEC4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
14   NEC4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
15   SIL3      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
16   POP4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
17   SWC4A     X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X         
18   SWC3      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
19   VNG3.5    X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
20   CD1       X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
21   VNG4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
22   NWC3      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
23   DLN3      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
24   DLN4      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
25   NWC2.5    X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
26   NWC2      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
27   DLN2      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
28   VNG5      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
29   SWC3A     X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
30   POP3A     X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
31   SEC2.5    X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
32   SEC3      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
33   NEC3      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X       X        X
34   NEC2      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
35   NEC2.5    X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 
36   SEC2      X         X         X       X     X      X     X     X     X                 


3b. Profiling Ultraviolet Radiometer Measurements

    Karen Frey and Lee Cooper, University of Tennessee Knoxville


As of 19 May 2006 at 18:30 UTC, UV radiometer profile measurements have been 
collected at 17 sites south of St. Lawrence Island (Table 1). The following 
parameters are measured with the UV radiometer:

  k) Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), 400-700 nm (_E/cm2 sec)
  l) 305 nm (_W/cm2 nm)
  m) 320 nm (_W/cm2 nm)
  n) 340 nm (_W/cm2 nm)
  o) 380 nm (_W/cm2 nm)
  p) Temperature (°C)
  q) Pressure/Depth (meters)
  r) Natural Fluorescence (NF) (nE/m2 sr sec)

Measurements have been collected primarily during peak sunlight hours (ranging 
from 9:16–19:38 ADT), however cloud cover over recent days has precluded ideal 
profiles. Maximum depths of profiles range from 24.4–45.4 meters. Examples of 
profiles of UV radiation, PAR and NF can be seen in Figure 1. Preliminary data 
reveal that profiles may be highly dependent upon cloud cover (Figure 2). 
Nonetheless, the shape of the profiles and depth of convergence towards 0 will 
be helpful in interpreting patterns of chlorophyll concentrations in the water 
column. These profiles are currently being compared with chlorophyll 
concentrations measured from waters collected with the CTD and will continue 
onboard as new data are collected (e.g., Figure 3). Furthermore, once onshore, 
the UV radiometer data (particularly PAR) will be useful for interpreting ocean 
color satellite data (e.g., derived from the MODIS and SeaWIFS platforms), as 
these satellite data are an integrated water column interpretation of 
chlorophyll concentrations (i.e., to the maximum depth of light penetration). 


Table 1: The 17 sites measured with the UV radiometer to date.

Station  Station    Date     Start Time  End Time  Cloud  Position   Depth of Mea-
Number   Name                   (ADT)     (ADT)    Cover             surements (m)
-------  -------  ---------  ----------  --------  -----  ---------  -------------
   1     NEC5     5/9/2006      12:09     12:26    ~100%  starboard       32.8
   2     SEC5     5/9/2006      15:42     15:56     ~90%  starboard       30.3
   4     SWC5     5/10/2006      9:16      9:23     ~30%  aft             32.1
   5     VNG1     5/10/2006     12:03     12:10      ~5%  aft             38.7
   6     NWC5     5/10/2006     16:42     16:46      ~5%  aft             25.5
   8     NWC4     5/11/2006     10:51     10:58    ~100%  aft             31.4
  16     POP4     5/13/2006     13:09     13:16    ~100%  starboard       24.4
  17     SWC4A    5/13/2006     19:27     19:31    ~100%  starboard       33.8
  19     VNG3.5   5/14/2006     10:34     10:39    ~100%  port            45.3
  20     CD1      5/14/2006     14:33     14:39    ~100%  aft             39.7
  21     VNG4     5/14/2006     19:32     19:38    ~100%  aft             24.8
  24     DLN4     5/15/2006     12:59     13:06    ~100%  starboard       35.6
  27     DLN2     5/16/2006     13:43     13:49    ~100%  starboard       29.7
  30     POP3A    5/17/2006     12:25     12:30    ~100%  aft             30.9
  31     SEC2.5   5/17/2006     17:39     17:43    ~100%  starboard       38.6
  34     NEC2     5/18/2006     11:14     11:18    ~100%  starboard       33.1
  35     NEC2.5   5/18/2006     16:44     16:49    ~100%  starboard       30.9


Figure 1: Examples of profiles at 305 nm, 320 nm, 340 nm, 380 nm, PAR (400-700 
          nm), and NF.

Figure 2: Example of depth profiles of photosynthetically active radiation 
          (PAR). PAR at all sites converges to 0 at ~20 m depth in the water 
          column.

Figure 3: Example of depth profiles of PAR and chlorophyll concentrations. 
          Chlorophyll concentrations are measured on waters collected with the 
          CTD. PAR will be a valuable parameter in interpreting profiles of 
          chlorophyll

 

4. Water column POC, selenium, DOC

   Dr. Marjorie Brooks, University of Wyoming


As one portion of the data we are collecting to answer the question of how sea-
ice changes will affect the functioning of food webs from microbes to top 
predators, we are collecting particulate matter from the top, middle and bottom 
of the water column at all stations and from sea ice whenever possible. To 
date, we have collected samples from all 38 of the stations listed in the 
cruise summary. Materials have been collected on ashed (500°C for 2 h) glass 
fiber filters (0.7μm). Post-cruise analyses will include ash-free dry mass and 
selenium concentration as well as isotopic (_13C, _15N) and fatty acid 
biomarkers. In total, we have collected 465 filters for water column assessment 
with samples from ice algae at 15 stations. In addition to analyses described 
above, we have provided Beth Caissie with samples for analyses of ice diatoms.

We will use these data to investigate several aspects of the role of 
particulate matter in the Bering Sea. Using biomarkers, we will trace the 
movement carbon and nitrogen from the algae through other portions of the food 
web. From ash-free dry masses we will quantify the proportions of organic 
versus inorganic particles per volume of water. When coupled with biomarker 
data, those fractions can be used to calculate the bioenergetic value of 
particulate matter. Finally, we are measuring the selenium content of the 
particulate compartment as part of our study of why marine biota are able to 
bioaccumulate high concentrations of selenium that would have teratogenic 
effects in freshwater animals.


5. Sediment respiration, faunal populations: 

   Jackie Grebmeier, Chief Scientist-University of Tennessee Knoxville; 
   Boris Sirenko-Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 
   Jerry McCormick-Ray-University of Virginia


The purpose of the benthic component is to investigate pelagic-benthic coupling 
and carbon cycling in the SLIP study area. Methods used include population 
studies, carbon tracer collections, and sediment studies.. Forty-five stations 
have been occupied to date during HLY0601 for various data collections within 
our component, both water and sediment samples (Table under Cooper component, 
#2).

Sediments were collected at each station using both a 0.1 m2 van Veen grab and 
a 0.0133 m2 HAPS benthic corer. Four van Veen grabs were to collect replicate 
quantitative samples for benthic population studies. Sediment was sieved 
through 1 mm screens and retained animals preserved in 10% buffered formalin 
for analysis on land. Sediment collections from the van Veen grab was analyzed 
for chlorophyll pigment content shipboard (fluorometrically) and aliquots 
frozen for measurements of HPLC, total organic carbon and nitrogen content, 
grain size, and various radioisotopes at our land based laboratory. Downcore 
samples for radioisotope tracers were cut in 1 cm sections to 4 cm depth the 
core, sealed in cans, and frozen for laboratory analyses on shore. Measurements 
of Be-7 and Cs-137 will be made on a high-resolution gamma detector in 
Tennessee. Large volume surface sediments were also collected in Marinelli 
beakers for gamma counting. Two additional HAPS cores were collected at each 
station for sediment metabolism experiments. Overlying water was replaced with 
bottom water and flux rates determined for oxygen, carbon dioxide and 
nutrients. Once the experiment was completed, cores were sieved to retain the 
benthic organisms, which were preserved as outlined above. In addition to 
sediments collected for our component, we provided sediment to scientists from 
the University of Massachusetts (Beth Cassie and Klinuyo Kanamaru), University 
of Wyoming (Jason Kolts and Chris), and University of Virginia (Jerry 
McCormick-Ray).

Twenty-six stations have been successfully cored by the Haps corer to obtain 
undisturbed surface cores for sediment respiration experiments (two 
replicates).


Table: Species list for otter trawls in the SLIP region (courtesy Boris 
       Sirenko, RAS).
  
                     Faunal type    Number of species
                     -------------  -----------------
                     Cnidaria               8
                     Polychaeta            11
                     Gastropoda            20
                     Bivalvia              12
                     Crustacea             17
                     Echinodermata          9
                     Ascidiacea             3
                     Variable               9
                     TOTAL                 85


6. Sediment Grab sampling

   McCormick-Ray, University of Virginia


This study provides descriptive measurements of taxa represented in each of (to 
date) 40 stations examined. This includes identification of the different 
represented taxa groups in the grab, individual size and weight (if possible) 
of mollusks measured, enumerating the numbers of individuals per taxa, 
estimated proportion of dead shells to live animals, and noting associated 
species attached or drilling into mollusks. Each site collection of species is 
documented by photography, and some are preserved for later analysis.

Preliminary results suggest that biota are dominated by various combinations of 
bivalve mollusk (Nuculana radiata, Macoma calcarea and Leionucula tenuis) and 
various types of tubed polychaetes, differing in proportions among sites.

Occasional mud sieving through 360 um sieves captured, from first sieving wash, 
small bivalves in juvenile stages of development, scattered among fecal pellets 
and foraminifera.

Observed and documented young mussels (Musculus discors) nested in the byssal 
threads attached to the mature mussel, and observed active deposition, under 
microscopic observation, of these young mussels by the mature mussel. This adds 
evidence for the time and location of reproduction in these bivalve mollusks.

Also of interest are the extensive drilling holes observed in mollusks, 
possibly by the gastropods (Cryptonatica clausa and Lunatia pallido), occur in 
some of the collections. The drilling shows so bias toward any particular 
bivalve group or individual size, as the smallest (microscopic bivalves) have 
holes. However, Nuculana radiata seems to be more extensively drilled than 
Macoma calcarea, especially when the two are found together.

Also of interest is the abundance of small, microscoptic bivalves, of one year 
or more of age as observed by their growth rings, and found in the sediment 
grab. Some of these very small shells have several growth rings, suggesting 
that they have grown little over several years of life and that size is no 
indicator of age.

 
7. Eider survey, zooplankton, benthos prey base for spectacled eiders

   Jim Lovvorn, University of Wyoming


We did 37 vertical zooplankton tows south of the island, one at the dateline 
site, and as of NOM1 have done 6 tows north of the island (grand total of 42 so 
far). Although juvenile euphausiids are apparent in the samples, knowing what 
is there will require later examination in the laboratory. We will be 
especially interested in knowing the abundance and developmental stages of 
oceanic copepods (Neocalanus plumchrus and N. cristatus) which are advected 
over 500 km from the shelf break in the Anadyr Current. As we proceed through 
the Chirikov grid, we expect to see a gradient of species from Neocalanus spp. 
in Anadyr water in the west to Calanus marshallae (a shelf-resident species) in 
Bering Shelf and Alaska Coastal water.

From 9 to 17 May, we flew about 12 h of helicopter surveys south of St Lawrence 
Island. We covered all but the northeast corner of the study grid, and included 
a much tighter set of lines in the “hot spot” of high benthic productivity and 
past eider abundance during March-April. As expected, walruses were most 
abundant in the northwestern part of the area. Also as expected, no Spectacled 
Eiders (SPEI) were sighted.

On 17 May, I used a fixed-wing plane (twin-engine Navajo) to survey near the 
edge of shorefast ice along the coast due west from Nome, and the northcentral 
part of the Chirikov Basin. I started near the CPW line and worked south, 
running into dense fog while heading east around KNG1 and KNG2. On 18 May I 
attempted to survey the area south of the KNG line, but the entire area from 
there down to 64°N (about 30 miles north of St. Lawrence Island) was covered in 
dense fog. We then flew east along 64°N to the area of Norton Sound between 
Cape Darby and Stuart Island, where I was told by a pilot that SPEI gather in 
mid-June (probably post-breeding males, juveniles, and failed breeding 
females). We found no eiders there on 18 May, nor anywhere else that I 
surveyed.

20 May, we began helicopter surveys of the southern area of the Chirikov Basin 
that I had been unable to survey by fixed-wing plane. On the first flight we 
covered the area between the bottom two sampling lines, and found no eiders.

The goal of these surveys was to find where SPEI go during the 6 to 12 weeks 
between leaving their wintering area and arriving at breeding sites (late March 
to late May for the Y-K Delta, and late March to late June on the North Slope 
and Siberian coast). However, by talking with pilots and Savoonga residents, I 
gained better insight into the eiders’ possible movements after they leave the 
wintering area. Our models of ice dynamics indicate that flight costs owing to 
the closing of leads go up dramatically when strong southerly winds oppose the 
generally southward movement of the ice pack, thereby forcing leads to close. 
Local residents said that eiders often fly to the north of the island during 
strong south winds at any time during winter. When we started surveys about 6 
April 1999, it appeared that only about 40,000 of the estimated 380,000 
wintering birds were still on the main wintering area, suggesting that most of 
the birds had already moved north. During that time, I would think that the 
area most likely to have both open water and abundant food is the south-central 
Chirikov Basin. However, areas along the coast of the Chukchi Sea, including 
the Ledyard Bay area between Point Lisburne and Wainwright that is a fall 
molting area for SPEI, also open up very early. Thus, substantial numbers of 
SPEI breeding on the arctic coasts of the US or Russia may move farther north 
rather quickly after leaving the wintering area. Based on the absence of eiders 
in the Chirikov Basin or Norton Sound in mid-May, efforts to characterize 
spring use of the Chirikov Basin by SPEI will require surveys earlier in the 
year, probably March and April.

 
8. Walruses - Sea Ice Associations

   G. Carleton Ray-University of Virginia


Previous research has allowed Ray and Hufford (1989) to propose that Pacific 
walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) prefer the Bering Sea’s “broken pack” as 
habitat. Broken pack is critical for walruses for reproduction and to give them 
access to their benthic food supply. Statistical analysis has shown that this 
ice type dominates the central Bering Sea between St. Lawrence and St Matthew 
islands from early winter (January-February) through early spring (March-
April), by which time the walruses have begun to migrate into the Chukchi Sea 
(mostly females, juveniles, and young-of-the-year) or to land haulouts in 
Alaska or Siberia (almost all males). However, during recent years, beginning 
in about the 1990s, Beringian ice has been receding and getting thinner, 
threatening walrus habitat as well as the many ecological functions provided by 
walruses, including consumption, resuspension of sediments, and nutrient 
release.

The methods employed are straightforward. Satellite imagery at various spatial 
resolutions (Quickscat, AVHRR, and Radarsat, available on board the Healy at 
reasonable intervals) sets the stage. An examination of this imagery allows an 
overall view of sea-ice extent and concentration, meteorological forcing, and 
generalized low-resolution ice type. Ship- and helicopter-based observations, 
supported by photography, allow ground-truthing of the imagery. These 
observations are continuous from the bridge during daylight hours, due to 
cooperation among the investigators aboard. To date helicopter flights have 
been conducted on 9, 10, and 11 May (2 flights each day); high winds, fog, and 
icing conditions have prevented flights on succeeding days. Our results to date 
have given support to previous analyses of walrus/sea-ice associations. Further 
interpretations will be given at the termination of this voyage.


Reference

Ray, G.C., and G.L. Hufford 1989. Relationships among Beringian marine mammals 
    and sea ice. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer. 188:22-39.

 
9. Trawl survey: Chris North

   Jason Kolts-University of Wyoming


We have sampled at the stations shown on the spreadsheet. Zooplankton samples 
were rinsed, bagged and frozen. Grab sediment and organism samples were also 
bagged and frozen. Trawl contents were sorted to the lowest taxon possible 
(typically species), bagged, and frozen. After we have completed sampling, we 
will begin measuring all the organisms collected and determine the size class 
distributions of each species at each site. When we return to Laramie, we will 
begin analyzing gut contents and start analyzing all of our samples for fatty 
acids and stable isotopes (13C and 15N). Eventually these data, combined with 
energetics estimates, will form the backbone of a food web model of our system. 
We will return and sample the same stations next year to obtain a second year 
of data which will be processed in the same manner.


Table: Trawl data collected during SLIPP06.

                           Zooplankton            Trawl Time  Trawl Speed
        Site      Date       (HHMM)      Grabs*     (min)        (kn)
        ------  ---------  -----------  --------  ----------  -----------
        NEC5     9-May-06     6:50      special     20:21        1.9
        SEC5     9-May-06    16:50      standard    20:17        2.1
        SIL5    10-May-06     0:45      standard    20:19        2.4
        SWC5    10-May-06     7:20      standard     5:12        2
        VGN1    10-May-06    13:55      standard     N/A         N/A
        NWC5    10-May-06    18:10      standard     5:00        2
        DLN5    11-May-06     1:19      special      5:00        2.2
        DLN4    11-May-06     N/A         N/A        N/A         N/A
        NWC4    11-May-06    13:00      standard     5:00        2.2
        NWC4A   11-May-06    20:58      standard     N/A         N/A
        VGN3    12-May-06     0:22      standard     N/A         N/A
        SWC4    12-May-96     5:30      standard     3:00        2
        SIL4    12-May-06    13:00      special     10:00        2
        SEC4    12-May-06    18:30      standard    20:00        2.1
        NEC4    13-May-06     N/A       special     20:00        2
        SIL3    13-May-06     8:30      standard    20:00        2.1
        POP4    13-May-06    12:50      special     20:00        2.1
        SWC4A   13-May-06    19:20      standard    20:00        2
        SWC3    14-May-06     2:15      standard    20:00        2
        VGN3.5  14-May-06     7:00      standard    20:00        2
        CD1     14-May-06    14:30      standard    10:00        2
        VGN4    14-May-06    19:00      standard    10:00        2
        NWC3    15-May-06     1:55      standard    10:00        1.9
        DLN3    15-May-06     8:55      special     10:00        2
        DLN4    15-May-06    13:00      standard     N/A         N/A
        NWC2.5  16-May-06     0:00        N/A        N/A         N/A
        NWC2    16-May-06     8:35      special      N/A         N/A
        DLN2    16-May-06    14:20      standard     N/A         N/A
        VGN5    16-May-06    22:40      standard     N/A         N/A
        SWC3A   17-May-06     7:20      special     10:00        2.2
        POP3A   17-May-06    13:20      standard    20:00        2.1
        SEC2.5  17-May-06    18:20      standard    20:00        2.2
        SEC3    17-May-06    23:30      special     20:00        2.1
        NEC3    18-May-06     6:10      standard     N/A         N/A
        NEC2    18-May-06    11:30      standard     N/A         N/A
        NEC2.5  18-May-06    16:40      standard     N/A         N/A
        SEC2    18-May-06    20:30      standard*   20:00        2
        SIL2    19-May-06     1:00      standard*   20:00        1.9
        SWC2    19-May-06     6:55      standard*    N/A         N/A
        VGN5    19-May-06     N/A         N/A        5:00        1.9
        NWC2    19-May-06     N/A         N/A       10:00        1.9
        NWC2.5  19-May-06     N/A       standard     N/A         N/A

        North of St. Lawrence Island
        DLN0   20-May-06      6:55        N/A        N/A         N/A
        KIV1   20-May-06     10:30      standard    11:00        2.1*

* Grabs
Standard (per grab): 3 - 1 cm standard sediment samples (SI, FA, Se)
Special (per grab):  2 - 1 cm standard sediment samples (Se, FA/SI),
                     1 - depth profile (FA/SI),
                     1 - chloroform methanol preserved sample (FA)


10. Climate-driven Impacts of Groundfish on Food Webs in the Northern Bering Sea, 

    Sherry Cui, University of Tennessee Knoxville


Climate change in the Arctic has been dramatic, and perhaps the most obvious 
aspect has been the reduced extent and earlier melting of seasonal pack ice. 
Because of the strong structuring role of sea ice on arctic marine ecosystem, a 
major question is how sea-ice changes will affect the functioning of food webs 
if current warming trends continue. When winter sea ice melts on the north-
central Bering Sea shelf, a pool of cold bottom water (<1°C) forms that 
persists through summer and reduces the numbers and growth of groundfish. The 
size of the cold pool is decreasing with decreasing ice extent. This area is 
also currently the sole wintering site of the world population of benthic-
feeding Spectacled Eiders (SPEI). Expansion of competing fish predators as ice 
cover declines and the cold pool contracts may affect food availability for the 
eiders.

During two planned cruises in May 2006 and 2007, I will investigate expansion 
of the ranges and numbers of mobile benthic predators-groundfish as a result of 
increased temperatures. There are few data currently on the densities or diets 
of groundfish where fish population is expanding. Among the parameters, I will 
investigate the diets of groundfish through analyses of gut contents and stable 
isotopes to determine the diets of predators. I will measure prey size class of 
both predators and prey when possible. Based on this approach I plan to 
determine the community of groundfish and its preys in the Northern Bering Sea 
and estimate the relationship between predators and preys. And I will model 
groundfish impacts on benthic clams (or main prey items) that might result 
under different bottom temperature regimes, and resulting effects on the energy 
balance of SPEI (hopefully).

Fish collection by otter trawl at HLY0601:

During the cruise HLY0601, fish were collected by otter trawl ((4.3m long, mesh 
size 1.9 cm, opening 3.1 m wide and 0.7 m high) by towing 3-20 min at a speed 
of 2.0-2.5Knot. We trawl sampled once at every station except the stations have 
too much ice, or the weather condition was too bad (VWG1, NWC4A, VNG3, NWC2.5, 
NEC3, NEC2, NEC2.5,). When sampling, we lost a net at station DLN4 and at the 
following three stations (NWC2, DLN2, VNG5) did not collect any samples since 
the new net had been opened by artificial fault. At one more station SWC2, we 
did not get any sample since the net did not perform in right way. The most 
number of fish in SLIP area is Arctic cod and second is Snailfish. For the 
sample size, I did not catch a lot of fish compared with the sample collected 
in 1999. It might be because during the cruise HLY0601 the bottom water is too 
cold (mostly below-1.5°C). I need to analyze these data information more in 
detail after the cruise. But it is possible that during the late summer the 
pool of bottom cold water decreases, which will cause the expiation of fish 
predators to impact food web. Therefore, it is significant to collect more fish 
samples at same area (or close area) especially during the late summer through 
other process. To figure out what will effect groundfish most is going to be 
important to understand their distribution and their impact on food web.

 
11. Using Modern Sediments to Develop Paleo-Ice Coverage Proxies and Examine 
    the Source of Biogenic Aggregates

    Beth Caissie/Kinuyo Kanamaru-University of Massachusetts, Amherst


Stations sampled (as of 19 May 2006)

       Number  Station       Sediment          Ice      Water      IRD
       ------  -------  ---------------------  -------  ---------  ---
          1     NEC5    full core sliced and 
                        vertical core section
          2     SEC5    top 1 cm                        3 bottles
          3     SIL5    top 1 cm                        3 bottles
          4     SWC5    top 1 cm                                   yes
          5     VNG1    top 1 cm                boat    3 bottles  yes
          6     NWC5    top 1 cm
          7     DLN5    top 1 cm                bucket  3 bottles
          8     NWC4    1 cm and vertical core                     yes
                        section boat
          9     NWC4a                           bucket  3 bottles
         10     VNG3    top 1 cm                bucket             yes
         11     SWC4                            bucket  3 bottles
         12     SIL4    top 1 cm
         13     SEC4                                               yes
         14     NEC4    top 1 cm                bucket
         15     SIL3    No samples taken
         16     POP4    top 1 cm                                   yes
         17     SWC4A                                              yes
         18     SWC3    top 1 cm
         19     VNG3.5  full core sliced and            3 bottles  yes
                        vertical core section 
         20     CD1     1 cm and vertical core  
                        section
         21     VNG4    top 1 cm
         22     NWC3    top 1 cm                                   yes
         23     DLN3    top 1 cm                bucket             yes
         24     DLN4    top 1 cm                bucket             yes
         25     NWC2.5                                             yes
         26     NWC2    top 1 cm                bucket             yes
         27     DLN2    top 1 cm and vertical                      yes
                        core section 
         28     VNG5    top 1 cm
         29     SWC3A   1 cm and vertical core                     yes
                        section 
         30     POP3a   ~1cm from sieve                 3 bottles
         31     SEC2.5                          bucket
         32     SEC3    No samples taken
         33     NEC3    top 1 cm                bucket
         34     NEC2    top 1cm from Grab       bucket  3 bottles
         35     NEC2.5  No samples taken
         36     SEC2    top 1 cm
         37     SIL2    mud from Van Veen       diatoms from 
                        Grab                    zooplankton net
         38     SWC2    top 1 cm                        3 bottles   yes


Analyses completed:

No analyses are being conducted on the ship short of sample storage and 
preservation. The top 1 cm of a Haps core has been collected from 29 stations, 
two full cores have been collected and bagged in 1 cm intervals, and 5 full 
cores (10 - 20 cm long) have been extruded into tubes (Table 1). Sea water has 
been collected from the top, middle, and bottom waters of 10 stations. This has 
been preserved in 150 mL bottles. Sea ice has been collected either by bucket 
or by boat and a small amount of the brownest colonies have been bagged and 
preserved. The rest of the ice has been melted. Both water and sea ice has been 
filtered by Marjorie Brooks and Casey Quitmeyer and the filters dried and 
stored in petri dishes.

Analyses to be completed at UMass:
Diatom assemblage counts from smear slides:

At UMass, we will determine the number of valves per gram of sediment and 
conduct species counts from the top 1cm of sediment extruded from the Haps 
core. This will also be done on the 2 full core samples to determine if 
bioturbation has a sorting effect on diatom frustules or if the top cm is in 
fact representative of the modern bloom. This data will become the basis of a 
diatom training set that will have machine learning techniques applied to it to 
determine a relationship between diatom assemblages and annual duration of sea 
ice in the Bering Sea.

We will also measure the number of valves per mL water (or ice) and conduct 
species counts from water subsamples and sea-ice samples from every available 
station.

This data will be shared with Marjorie Brooks and Jim Lovvorn in order to 
determine the major algal species responsible for organic geochemical tracers.

Diatom morphology observations:

Observations will include counting the number of areolae per micron on centric 
diatoms (if present) such as Thalassiosira trifulta and T. gravida, measuring 
the ratio of length vs. width of pennate diatoms such Fragilariopsis spp., and 
determining if Chaetoceros spp. have curved or straight setae. These 
observations will be compared between samples taken from sea ice and samples 
taken from CTD water samples to determine if diatoms have created morphological 
adaptations for living in sea-ice brine channels and if these adaptations can 
be identified as distinct morphologies from the same species living in open 
water just outside of the ice.

Measurement of Alkenone concentration:

The top 1cm of sediment from the Happs core and the 2 full cores will be 
analyzed for C37 unsaturated alkenones and the UK’ 37 will be calculated. This 
will serve two purposes: as a northern Bering Sea calibration point for the UK’ 
37 temperature index derived from alkenones and to determine if the extensive 
1997-2001 coccolithophorid blooms left a sediment signature.

Measurement of biogenic aggregate

Using undisturbed cores (in tubes), we will use the Scanning Electron 
Microscope (SEM) to describe the sediment, and size and shape of biogenic 
aggregates (e.g. fecal pellets produced by zooplankton), and examine 
relationship between benthic organisms and biogenic aggregates. Particularly, 
we are focused on the biogenic aggregates ranging from 1 mm to a few cm in 
length that are considered to be from different genera or life stages of 
copepods and nauplii, zooplankton, or groundfish (e.g. Sancetta, 1989; Cuomo, 
1991). These aggregates are abundant and ubiquitous constituents under dysoxic 
bottom water (e.g. Pilskaln, 1991) and are found under highly productive 
surface water

The split core sediments will be first described, vertically sub-sectioned, 
freeze dried, and impregnated into epoxy to be mounted on thin sections. The 
sediments will be gently dried under –50 °C to prevent destructions of the 
biogenic microstructure.

Grain Size Analysis:

This will be carried out at 1cm intervals on the full Happs cores collected to 
determine the sorting effect by bioturbation of the sediment and to determine 
the capacity of ice to carry large pieces of sediment significant distances. We 
are testing whether there is a relationship between grain size of ice rafted 
debris and duration of sea ice or even just seasonal vs. multiyear sea ice. 
Additional samples will be needed to complete this part of the study.

In addition to the conventional grain size analysis, image analysis on sediment 
thin sections will be performed using Scanning Electron Microscope images to 
examine the grain size and shape of each biogenic aggregate. Image analysis has 
been used to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental changes on Holocene lake sediments 
(Noji et al., 1991; Francus et al., 2002).

 
12. Marine Bird and Mammal Survey Aboard HLY0601, Liz Labunski-USFWS, 
    Anchorage, AK

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have been conducting at-sea surveys 
aboard the USCG Healy to collect data on marine bird and mammal distribution 
and abundance. The goal of USFWS is to implement an at-sea monitoring program 
utilizing vessels of opportunity to collect at-sea data to provide a long-term 
dataset for researchers and managers investigating ecosystem changes in the 
Bering Sea. The region covered in this cruise, from Dutch Harbor to St Lawrence 
Island, was surveyed in the 1970’s and 1980’s during the Outer Continental 
Shelf Ecosystem Assessment Program. Data collected on seabird and mammal 
distribution during this cruise will thus provide comparisons to historical 
data currently in the North Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD).

Observations began aboard the Healy on 8 May, 2006 while the vessel was in 
transit to sample stations south of St. Lawrence Island. Observations are being 
conducted from the port-side of the bridge 66 ft. above the water. All birds and 
mammals located within 300m of the vessel in a 0º to 90º are recorded as being 
“on transect” and are entered into a GPS integrated laptop computer using the 
program dLog. Species of interest (ex. walrus, auklets) beyond the 300m survey 
area are also recorded, but are considered an “off transect” observation, and 
those records will not be used in the final species density calculations. The 
behavior of each species is recorded using the categories: in air, on water, on 
ice, or feeding. The dominate sea, ice and weather conditions are also 
continually updated using dLog during the survey, and can be correlated to each 
species observation.

We have conducted a total of 45 transect from May 8– 15, 2006. Transect lengths 
have totaled 884 km surveyed. Transects are surveyed during daylight hours and 
occur from 0735 to 2330. Survey conditions have been hampered at times by rough 
seas and fog. During poor visibility the survey area has been decreased from 
300m to 200m and 100m interval bins to maintain data quality.

We have observed a total of 867 marine birds (17 species), and 90 marine 
mammals (5 species) during the survey. The most abundant marine birds are 
murres including common and thick-billed species (Figure 1). Walruses have been 
the most common marine mammal observed and were recorded throughout the survey 
area (Figure 2). Other species of interests that have been observed include: 
ribbon seal, bearded seal, northern pintails, McKay’s bunting, black and pigeon 
guillemots, ivory gull and the vega sub-species of herring gulls. 


Figure 1: Distribution of common and thick-billed murres for surveys conducted 
          8-15 May, 2006.

Figure 2: Distribution of Pacific walrus for surveys conducted 8-15 May, 2006.



13. Multi-beam Mid-Cruise Status Report, HLY0601

    Andrew Delorey, University of Hawaii


We have collected multi-beam data continuously since our departure from Dutch 
Harbor using the Healy’s Seabeam 2112 system. During watch-standing, I 
monitored the multi-beam, side-scan, and sub-bottom systems. I reviewed, 
cleaned, and gridded the multi-beam data, then generated maps combining 
navigation and bathymetry data.

Each day, I split my time between watch-standing and data-processing. Watch-
standing includes monitoring the multi-beam, side-scan, the data storage of 
these systems, and logging any significant events that relate to these systems. 
The most important duty of the watchstander is to monitor the noise levels in 
the multi-beam data. If noise levels are high, like when we are breaking ice, 
the multi-beam parameters must be manually adjusted since the automation of 
these adjustments becomes problematic, and can lead the system to a state in 
which the multibeam must be shut down and restarted. These multi-beam 
parameters include the listening gate, power output, and signal gain. Since the 
depth varies very gradually in this area, the system can be left in manual mode 
for long periods of time with minimal adjustments. The multi-beam was switched 
back and forth from manual to automatic setting many times per day as 
conditions dictated. The only notable problem that occurred in the first half 
of this cruise is that the tape drive, used to create a backup copy for multi-
beam data, failed twice. There are already multiple copies of the data being 
generated, so there was never a risk of losing any data; this problem was 
addressed by Dave Roberts.

The data were initially cleaned using a filter that removes data points that 
are outside of a tight depth window centered around the median depth for each 
swath. This filter is designed with the assumption that there are no large 
features or dramatic changes in depth on the ocean floor in this area. The 
filtering process was manually reviewed to ensure that these assumptions are 
reasonable, and additional, manual edits were made. The data quality is such 
that we will not be able to resolve features that are on the order of meters to 
tens of meters in size. For each individual swath, the noise level is high 
enough that its best interpretation is to use the median value as a center-beam 
depth. The noisiest parts of the swath were consistently near the centerbeam, 
and at the outermost edges. Data density collected during transits between 
stations is low. Data collected while drifting at each station, and while 
trawling, is complete or nearly complete in the along path direction.

Maps were gridded at three different scales based on an A0 sheet size according 
to standard procedures for the Hawaii Mapping Research Group. Since we are not 
doing any contiguous surveys, and due to the small swath width (80-200 meters), 
the data is probably best presented in these three ways (subject to the needs 
of the PI):

1. Large map of the navigation path
2. Small bathymetry maps of each station
3. Large bathymetry map interpolating all data collected

Data collected as of 5/19/2006 are presented with this mid-cruise report. The 
large bathymetry map will change based on any additional data collected.

Results at this half-way point suggest that the bathymetry varies very slowly 
in the study area, ranging from ~35m to ~80m in depth, with the deepest depths 
to the west and the shallowest depths to the east. Some of the “features” seen 
on the Smith and Sandwell bathymetry map appear to be false. That is, there are 
no significant valleys or ridges in this area, just gradually varying 
topography. It is not clear if and how bathymetry is related to the biological 
“hotspot” identified by the science party. This “hotspot” is in a location with 
intermediate depths in relation to the greater study area. As we fill in some 
of the gaps in our dataset, we will be able to improve our bathymetry maps of 
the study area.

 
14. Biopsy and instrumentation of ice seals in the St. Lawrence Island Polynya

    Gay Sheffield, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, AK


In Alaska, four species of seals (i.e. Bearded, ribbon, ringed, and spotted) 
are closely associated with the sea ice and are commonly referred to as “ice 
seals”. Gay Sheffield will investigate ice seal stock structure, migration 
routes, and dispersal patterns of ice seals that occur in the northern Bering 
Sea. Seals will be live-captured and instrumented with satellite transmitters 
to provide information about seasonal movements, dive depths/duration, and 
regional habitat use. Additionally, skin biopsies will be collected from all 
species for genetic analysis.

 
15. Educators: Samantha Barlow-Oakwood School, Greenville, NC and 
               Patricia Janes, Scholastic, Inc., New York

A major component of the educator outreach by Samantha Barlow and Patricia 
Janes is the TREC website (www.arcus.org/trec). This site includes journal 
entries, a question forum, and a photo gallery.

Education outreach on the TREC website began prior to the Healy setting sail, 
with the first journal entries being posted on April 23 during the TREC 
training in Fairbanks, Alaska. Since arrival in Dutch Harbor educator journals 
have been posted almost daily. To date, there are 38 combined educator journal 
postings on the TREC web site and 134 questions and comments posted from 
students nationwide on the online forum. The TREC website also includes input 
from scientist Lee Cooper, who participates in the question forum, and a middle 
school student who posts journal entries and answers student questions. Six 
podcasts have been created by scientists onboard the Healy and are available at 
the TREC website for download.

To date, 33 journal entries from the educators have also been added to the 
Science Data Network Web (http://healy-mx), which is supported on the Healy. 
Additionally, approximately 30 scientists and Coast Guard crew members attended 
a presentation on Friday, May 12 at 7:00 PM to hear more about TREC and the 
role of educators onboard the Healy.

ARCUS hosted an “Arctic Alive” event at 9:30 AM on Monday, May 15. The live 
event consisted of a conference call with a simultaneous power point 
presentation. There were approximately ten participating schools, 
organizations, and individuals from Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New 
York, and North Carolina. Attendees from the Healy included Samantha Barlow, 
Patricia Janes, Captain Dan Oliver, Jackie Grebmeier, Lee Cooper, Gay 
Sheffield, and Ruth Cooper.

To date, one newspaper article has been published. The article focused on 
Samantha’s upcoming expedition and appeared in The Daily Reflector on April 19. 
Patricia has secured approximately nine articles for future publication in 
various Scholastic classroom magazines, and one more is slated for publication 
in Instructor magazine.

Samantha has engaged in eight pre-cruise presentations to school groups of 
various grades ranging from kindergarten to college.

Overall outreach efforts thus far have been successful. We are poised for at 
least one more Arctic Alive event, future postings on the TREC website, and 
public outreach upon return from the Healy.

 
16. USCGC Healy cruise HLY0601 LDEO Science Technical Support Report V1.1 

    Steve Roberts & Tom Bolmer 20 May 06


This is a brief report on the performance of the Underway Science Systems 
during the Healy HLY0601 Cruise 5/7/06 – 6/5/06 Dutch Harbor to Dutch Harbor, 
Chief Scientist James Lovvorn.

SeaBeam 2112 Multibeam Sonar

The Seabeam worked well for the duration of the cruise. However, since the 
entire cruise was spent in shallow water(less than 100meters) the spatial 
extent of the data was limited. Swath widths ranged from only 300 meters down 
to 120 meters. Since this system was designed for deep water the data collected 
is of modest to low quality. Most of the time was spent in open water or loose 
ice so the effect of ice on the system was minimal.

A watchstander(Andrew Delorey) was trained on the operation of the Seabeam and 
stood a 12hour watch. When there was not a watchstander the system was kept in 
manual setting for gates, sonar power, ping gain and ping width. Due to the 
small variation of depth during the cruise this method worked well.

In past cruises when the surface sound velocity(ssv) dropped below 1440m/s beam 
forming would fail. However, on this cruise even when the ssv dropped below 
this value there was no apparent degradation in beam formation.

Knudsen (Sub-Bottom Profiler)

The Knudsen was used for the whole cruise. The Bathy 2000 was never turned on. The Knudsen


Figure 1. Example plot of Knudsen 3.5kHz data from 18:23 to 18:32 UTC on May 
          18, 2006 while approaching station NEC2.


POS/MV-320

Prior to the start of HLY0601 the system was upgraded to Version 4. Problems 
were experienced with the PCS unit during the April shakedown cruise and was 
sent back to Applanix. The unit was returned to the Healy and reinstalled just 
prior to the start the of the transit to Dutch Harbor. The system was restored 
with the calibrations setting obtained during the shakedown cruise. The system 
has been running and stable since this time with heading, pitch and roll errors 
all staying within its specified tolerance.

Ashtech ADU5

ADU5 worked as expected. Only one “no-attitude” event was observed on this trip 
so far. Resetting the unit returned it to normal operation. A calibration of the 
system was performed prior to the transit to Dutch Harbor and a heading offset 
of -0.68 was entered. After this calibration the observed difference in heading 
between the POS/MV and ADU5 was around 0.2 degrees. This difference has 
remained consistent for most of the cruise with only brief periods where the 
difference would increase to near 1 degrees.

TSG (Thermosalinograph)

The forward TSG has operated for most of the cruise. The system was shutdown 
for a brief period due to a cracked faucet. This was repaired by the MST's. 
However, large short period peaks in the water temperature are being observed. 
These can be as large as 1C and have duration of up to _ hour. These appear to 
only occur while the ship is stopped during a station. They first started 
showing up at our first station. At the time of this writing the cause has not 
been determined.

Aft TSG(in aft hose reel room)

Several days into the cruise the aft TSG that operates in the aft hose reel 
room was turned on and logging enabled to help determine the cause of the 
temperature anomalies in the forward TSG. It has consistently recorded a 
temperature that is about 0.4 degrees higher than the primary TSG. Temperature 
peaks were also noted in this system. These peaks were only moderately 
correlated with the peaks on the forward TSG.

Scufa

The Scufa Flourometer in the Bio Chem Lab is operating satisfactorily.

The Scufa Flourometer in the aft hose reel room is showing large spikes in the 
data output.

Uncontaminated Seawater

The uncontaminated science seawater system operated for the duration of this 
cruise.

Hull Temp

A Sea Bird Electronics magnetic mount hull temperature sensor has been 
temporarily mounted in the Aft Hose Reel Room on the shell plating below the 
water line to evaluate it’s performance. However there was no logging of data 
until several days into the cruise. Logging was enabled to help determine the 
cause of the anomalies in the forward TSG. It has consistently recorded a 
temperature that is about 0.2 degrees higher than the primary TSG. It was 
observed last year that the hull mounted temperature reading increased slightly 
when the ship was stopped at a station. This behaviour was not observed on this 
cruise. In addition, none of the large peaks in the forward TSG are being 
observed in the hull readings.

Mapserver

The same interactive web mapping tool that was utilized last year was actively 
supported on this cruise. This interface provides access to realtime ship track 
and multibeam, high resolution radarsat, sea ice analysis, visible satellite, 
bathymetry, planned waypoints, CTD locations and previous Healy cruise tracks.

RadarSat Images from the National Ice Center

We have been working with the National Ice Center to obtain high resolution 
RadarSat images and analysis of sea ice conditions in near realtime that covers 
the Healy's current operating area. We started receiving this data May 10. The 
images are provided as both jpeg's and georeferenced MrSID's. Ice analysis is 
also provided with the jpeg's and as a separate ESRI shapefile.

These are put on the US Coast Guard server in Seattle by the National Ice 
Center. The MrSID's have a resolution of 100 meters. Access to these images on 
the ship are provided via the Mapserver web site on the ship's LAN. The 
following are the statistics on the satellite pass times and the time the 
images are uploaded to the USCG server: 

           Satellite pass time  ftp upload           delay(hours)
           -------------------  -------------------  ------------
           2006/05/10 04:53:35  05/10/2006 21:44:34  16.9
           2006/05/13 05:06:16  05/13/2006 11:47:00  6.7
           2006/05/15 17:48:40  05/15/2006 23:54:34  6.1
           2006/05/16 05:18:58  05/16/2006 13:51:57  8.5
           2006/05/17 04:49:21  05/17/2006 14:13:47  9.4
           2006/05/18 18:01:21  05/18/2006 22:12:36  4.2


Ice Report Forms

The same Sea-Ice Observation Web Form from last year was utilized during this 
cruise. The form worked well with no significant problems.

Terascan

While in port in Seattle the system was upgraded with a larger 1.5 meter 
diameter antenna. Eric Baptiste of SeaSpace rode out on the transit to Dutch 
Harbor to thoroughly test the system prior to the start of the science leg. 
During the transit the system experienced an extended loss of NMEA heading 
input.

Exasperated by a software bug, the system went into a satellite hunting mode 
shearing off its stops and damaging its control harness. In the short amount of 
lead time we had before getting to Dutch Harbor it was not possible to fly in 
the needed spare parts. System was not operational for duration of cruise. 
System will be repaired on return to Seattle.

Another temporary Terascan 3.3 license for the post processing laptop was 
installed. This system is used to generate custom imagery for the Mapserver and 
data archive. The temporary license was transferred from the Polar Star and 
will expire in November. The laptop was verified to operate satisfactorily. 
However, due to the non-operational status of the receiving system this laptop 
was not utilized for HLY0601.

ADCP(75kHz and 150kHz)

Significant noise has been observed in the data for these systems during past 
cruises. During the transit to Dutch Harbor considerable effort was spent by 
Ron Hippie of RDI to isolate the cause of this noise. EMI was identified as a 
major source of noise with other sonars as a secondary source. It was not 
possible to completely eliminate all sources of interference during the 
transit. Ron return the systems to same configuration as previous cruises. Both 
150kHz and 75kHz were operated for the duration of science cruise.

Multibeam Router/logger (he-gate)
Operated satisfactorily.

LDS Logging and Navigation Computer (posmvnav)
Operated satisfactorily.

Web Camera (Science Planning Board aka board of lies)
Operated satisfactorily. It was noted that the original TCP/IP address was 
using a value reserved for DHCP. This was changed to a static value.

Web Camera (Aloft Conn)
Operated satisfactorily. It was noted that the original TCP/IP address was 
using a value reserved for DHCP. This was changed to a static value. There were 
some brief outages due to problems with the network switch that services the 
aloftcon.

Watch Stander Workstation (WSWS)
The lower large display (Apple 23” Cinema LCD) display has been showing signs 
of problems. Otherwise it worked satisfactorily.




CCHDO DATA PROCESING NOTES

Date        Contact           Data Type      Action
----------  ----------------  -------------  ----------------------------------
2015-03-10  Jerry Kappa       Cruise Report  Website Update
            I've posted a text version of the cruise report to the CCHDO 
            website.  It includes all the PI-provided documentation, plus the 
            standard CCHDO summary page and these Data Processing Notes.

2006-09-15  Stephen C. Diggs  Cruise Report  Submitted  
            I got some preliminary Healy data from Teresa Kacena.  She was the 
            ODF tech on this cruise.  I've attached their PDF cruise report, 
            but Jim will make the final determination regarding the disposition 
            of this cruise in our archives, if any.  I won't post this to 
            either the CCHDO on Google groups or Mantis until Jim gives his 
            ruling.

