Pre-Cruise Meeting May 22, 2013
FISHER – AT26-03, July 13 – July 26, 2013.
General Program Overview:
1. Scientific Objectives:
The primary work area for Expedition 327, and for Summer 2013 Atlantis/Jason
expedition AT26-03, is on 3.5-3.6 Ma seafloor on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca
Ridge. Six long-term borehole observatories (CORKs) in a 2.5 square kilometer area are
separated by distances of 40 to 2460 m, five aligned along a trend of N20E (Holes
1026B, 1301A, 1301B, 1362A, 1362B) and one located 2.2 km to the east (Hole 1027C).
All of these holes were drilled, cased, cored, and tested, then instrumented with CORKs
using the drillship JOIDES Resolution. Secondary objectives may include: downloading
data from additional CORK systems located at Sites 1024 and 1025 (located 30-40 nmi
west of main work site), testing a Alvin/Jason heat flow probe insertion frame, and/or
mapping/sampling at nearby Mama Bare, Papa Bare, or Zona Bare outcrops (within 10
nmi of primary work site).
The primary network of instrumented (CORK) sites allows continuous monitoring of
pressure and temperature at depth, sampling of fluids and microbiological material, and
measurement of fluid flow rate using autonomous instrumentation. These CORK systems
require servicing with a submersible or ROV to download data, recover samples,
manipulate valves, and replace a variety of experimental systems. This is a primary goal
of the Summer 2013 expedition with the ROV Jason II and the R/V Atlantis. We will also
recover a flow meter currently installed on one of the CORK observatories, and close a
large-diameter ball valve, shutting off the discharge of hydrothermal fluid that was
initiated in Summer 2011. Data from this flowmeter will be downloaded, and the
instrument will be redeployed on another wellhead (or replaced with a second
instrument), and a large-diameter ball valve on that wellhead will be opened, initiating
flow from the CORK. These free flow experiments create pressure perturbations at
surrounding CORKs, and also provide fluid and microbiological sampling opportunities.
By monitoring the formation pressure response at the different observatories, located at
different distances, depths, and directions from the CORK that will be allowed to
discharge fluid, researchers will be able to assess the nature of crustal hydrologic
properties. Wellhead instruments deployed during previous expeditions (fluid samplers,
microbial growth incubators) will be recovered and replaced. A GeoMicrobiology
sampling sled deployed on one wellhead will be recovered, and additional (active) fluid
sampling will occur at various wellheads. Finally, we plan to recover one downhole
instrument system in Hole 1301A, using a winch and floatation system or pulling with
Jason or Madea, then sealing this CORK with a plug.
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2. Identify other PIs associated with the cruise:
Andy Bowen
3. Identify the at-sea Chief Scientist: Andy Fisher
4. Identify operating area:
ODP/IODP Sites 1026, 1027, 1301, 1362
47-45.5N, 127-45.0W
Depth: 2600 – 2700meters
5. Voyage Dates and Leg #: July 13- 26, AT26-03. (Astoria - Astoria)
6. Science party (size) – 23 bunks available. (with a UNOLS ‘mate intern’)
Pre-cruise and Administrative:
1. Diplomatic clearance requirements for operations in EEZs :
CANADA – submitted 3/22/13.
2. Financial responsibility: POs? How many to set up? Forklift?
3. Personnel forms (Passports, Visas, Entry Fees)
4. Any Special Food Requirements (Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Kosher, etc)
5. Berthing Plan - 1 week prior to mobilization
Instrumentation & Technician Support [Installed Scientific Equipment] :
General Duties of Marine Technician [SSSG Tech]
Allison Heater, Catie Graver and one SSSG Mate Intern (UNOLS)
WHOI general use equipment required for cruise [Installed Scientific Equipment]:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Mulitbeam {Incl. Water Column MB survey}
Generate Maps on board ? Possibly.
CTD 24/10 liter rosette with dual T/C sensors
Freezers (all), -70o
Walk In Freezer & Refer
-70c / 3.5 cub ft freezer
Bathymetry Sys. 3.2 & 12 kHz
ADCP 75 kHz
Science Sea Water supply to labs
Fume hood
High Sea’s Net – Skype – Transfer data ashore req. {URI Telepresence?}
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12. Navigation
13. Sonardyne USBL
14. Relay transponder for wire use
Our primary work will be with Jason, assume USBL. If we have time and do some additional
survey work on outcrops, nav requirements will depend on time available. Also, if we do outcrop
work, we may wish to generate maps at sea. But if we just work at the primary sites (all CORK
work), no maps will be needed.
Science Party Supplied Equipment:
1. Portable winch – “Wheat Plasma Winch” or “OSMO Winch”
This was used on AT15-43 Feb 2009.
Winch with Plasma cable (Plasma winch //C. G. Wheat, co-PI). This tool may be needed for
CORK string recovery (recovery with Jason/Medea is preferred). If we use the Plasma winch,
will be installed on port side of forward fantail, with sheave extending using hydroboom.
POWER REQ?:
Operator?
Jason:
(It is most important to communicate with Matt Heintz directly and to
refer to the Jason Fact Sheet published on the WHOI website:
http://www.whoi.edu/fileserver.do?id=55543&pt=10&p=38332)
And the Jason Specs / User Manual;
http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=10755 )
1. General work description / Brief operation description or comments:
(1) We request that there be at least two (2) of the standard Jason elevators with
fixed floatation. As described below, one of these is to be dedicated for use
with the UH fluid/microbial sampling systems. The other large elevator will
be used for periodic instrument deployment and recovery, as needed.
(2) We request that a small "Alvin" elevator be made available. This is a roughly
1 m x 1 m elevator that was modified during AT18-07, with a hole cut near the
center of the grating, for use in calibration of the electromagnetic flowmeter. We
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wish to repeat that calibration exercise, as described below, and hope that the
small "Alvin" elevator can be made available for this purpose. A photograph of
this elevator as configured on AT18-07 is provided.
(3) We will be bringing out a mixture of floatation systems of various buoyancy
values, for use with deployment and recovery of equipment. How much of this we
end up using will depend on configuration of individual systems for deployment
and recovery, which will be determined in consultation with Atlantis and Jason
personnel.
(4) We request that a supply of Alvin drop weights (or similar) be provided for
use with elevator, instrument, and flotation deployment and recovery. We will
work through the particulars of the different deployments with shipboard
personnel, to keep these operations as simple as possible, but it will be helpful to
have ~500-800 lbs of drop weights available for our use.
2. Number of instruments / samples to recover and their most accurate positions:
3. Other sampling from Jason
a. BIO Collection boxes 12”x12”x16”
b. Jason CTD Bottle
c. High Temp Probe
d. Search Sonar
e. Elevators - how many? YES - 2
e. Push corers
f. High Temp Probe YES
g. Slurp Samplers – Large Multi chamber & Single chamber
h. Scoop Nets
4. Please give a brief description of the equipment, its intended purpose, the
cruise # it was last used on if any and its deployment method.
(1) Communication with CORK pressure loggers using ODI connector, Holes 1027C,
1301A/B, 1362A/B. This connector is same as used with Alvin each year between 20052009 and with Jason in 2010-11. RS422hard-switchable to power off
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1.5 kg in air, 1.1 kg in water connector will be serviced via pigtails with AWM
connector, we will provide will be dummied off when not in use.
(2) CORK flowmeter (currently deployed on 1362B, to be deployed on 1362A)
Dimensions: Inches
Length 47.0
Diameter 6.0
Weight: Pounds
Dry 55
Wet 49
This autonomous, electromagnetic flowmeter system is currently clamped in place on the
wellhead of the CORK in Hole 1362B. A ball valve below the clamp was opened in
Summer 2011, allowing ~65 degC fluid to discharge from the wellhead through the
flowmeter. The flowmeter the rate of flow with time, once per hour. This instrument will
be recovered in Summer 2013.
In addition, we have completed a new version of this tool with IrDA communication
capabilities. Depending on the condition of the old tool after it is recovered, we may (a)
redeploy that tool, or (b) deploy the new tool.
We would like to be able to calibrate the new tool by lowering and raising it on the
hydrowire using a small Alvin elevator that we modified in on AT18-07 for this purpose.
The elevator has a hole cut out in the grating that fits an adapter on the lower end of the
elevator, so that water moves through the flowmeter with minimial restriction as the
elevator is lowered and raised. We will provide photographs of this system, in the hope
that it can be located and made available for AT25-05 as well.
Does the equipment require data or a power interface from the vehicle?
Both flowmeter systems are autonomous, but the newer system allows for IrDA
communication using a receiver to be carried in the Jason basket. For the latter we will
need:
IrDA communication transmit/receive
RS-232, 24 VDC
option to power on/off
Does this equipment require hydraulic inputs from the vehicle? No
(3) Communication with pressure logger in CORK in Hole 1024C
This is a secondary objective, if there is time. To communicate with this system, we will
deploy a Seacon connector having these specifications:
RS232, 4-wire
connection including 9 V power (all hard-switchable to no connection)
4.4 kg in air, 3.4 kg in water
can be plugged into same Jason pigtail as O.D. Blue via AWM-8 connector
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Note: if there is a dedicated dive at 1024C, this will be only communication required for
that dive
(4) We may be bringing out an insertion frame for use with the 66-cm Alvin style heat
flow probe. This device is to be deployed using a Jason elevator. The frame is handled
separately from the standard heat flow probe, which is carried in the usual way by Jason
(in basket and/or in holster). A set of drawings of the insertion frame is available here:
http://es.ucsc.edu/~afisher/post/AT25-05/Prospectus/HeatProbeGuide_120221.pdf
We plan to deploy this device on an elevator, then pick up with Jason. The frame will
weigh about 60 lbs in water. Once positioned on the seafloor, the heat flow probe is
inserted from the top of the guide tube, then pushed into the seafloor with the handle that
extends upward from the probe. After collecting data, the probe is pulled out of the
seafloor using the handle.
The heat flow probe is a standard Alvin/Jason heat probe (designed and build by Lane
Abrams), operated using a RS-232 connection with approx. 26 V DC provided by the
vehicle. We will bring two with us, along with associated cables. We will also bring our
own operating software for the probe, and will plan to leave this software with Jason
personnel for use during later expeditions, if desired.
III. Instruments provided/used by UH: Fluid and microbiological sampling
(1) A GeoMICROBE sled will be recovered from 1362B; it was deployed by Jason in
summer of 2011 in AT18-07. The recovery operation will consist of disconnecting the
"Jannasch" connector from the CORK wellhead, moving the sled away from the CORK
and releasing the drop weights. We will not need to communicate with this sled prior to
recovery.
(2) Short-term Modified GeoMICROBE (MGM) sampling using a decidated Jason
elevator. This should allow us to obtain large volume filtrations while minimizing ROV
time. A large Jason elevator will be configured with essential GeoMICROBE
components (controller, primary pump, some sensors, fluid samplers, batteries). This
sampling system will be deployed and connected to CORK fluid lines via "Jannasch"
connectors for 24-48 hours of near continuous sampling. The system will be recovered
(disconnect, release drop weights) and refit for redeployment. We hope for a minimum of
three (3) deployments of this short-term time-series sampling system (CORK in Hole
1362A: deep bioline, deep stainless steal line, shallow stainless steal line), but will be
prepared for additional deployments if time and opportunity permits (e.g., 1362B
bioline). We will communicate with the MGM via an ODI connector; we will use the
same connector and cable system as in past years with JASON. These connectors/cables
are described in the accompanying document: UH_Penetrators_AT25-05_wiring.doc
(3) Mobile Pumping System: We will use the MPV for real time sampling from CORKs
in Holes 1362A, 1362B and 1301A. Primary use of MPV will be to rapidly fill large and
medium sized "bag" samplers. Operations will entail connecting MPS to the CORK
fluids lines via either the "Jannasch" (Holes 1362A and 1362B) or "Aeroquip" connectors
(Hole 1301A), using the MPS pump to flush the fluid lines and then fill the bags. Some
in situ filters will be collected (e.g., 1301A). The MPS is then disconnected from the
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CORK.
Physically, the MPS resides in a large milk crate, secured to the right side of the
JASON’s forward science basket. The associated Medium Volume Bag System (MVBS)
resides in the aft science bay; the MPS and MVBS are connected by a continuous run of
0.250” (ID) PVDF tubing. The MVBS consists of two integrated components: the 6-bag
sampler system and the McLane Multisampler.
Electrical connections between the MPS and the JASON and between the MVBS and the
JASON will be as in previous years, described in the accompanying document:
UH_Penetrators_AT25-05_wiring.doc
(4) Large Volume Bag Sampler: If the opportunity arises we will secure a LVBS to the
forward Science basket, next to the MPS, as in years past. This will be connected to the
MPS via plastic tubing. This will allow the rapid collection of a large volume of pristine
basement fluids. Procedures are similar to those used for the MPS, described above.
Tools to be deployed and manipulated with Jason. These tools include:
(a) Instruments for pressure monitoring of subseafloor observatories
(b) Electromagnetic flowmeter for use on wellhead experiments
(c) Heat flow insertion frame
(d) Fluid/mbio sampling systems from UH
UH instruments that require through-hull communications and/or power control are
summarized in the table provided.
Ship [Other Requirements][Shipboard Equipment/Nav] :
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Science/Ship Operations [Program-Provided Science Tools
Instrument Deployment / Recovery Procedures
Overboarding Equipment (ISM)- Portable winch
Vans – (Jason, Isotope, Chemical)
Hazards [weight, bulk, chemical, pres.]
Night Operations YES
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2. Deck Safety – Safety Shoes ( X ), Experience ( X )
a. Science personnel have Training/Experience to operate/deploy gear
3. Lab Safety – PPE ( X ), Lab Training ( X )
4. Hazardous Material [Notes] Fill out HAZMAT INVENTORY FORM
http://www.whoi.edu/sbl/liteSite.do?litesiteid=7092&articleId=10875
a. Chemicals & Compressed Gases
i. Inventory Form
ii. Spill Kit
iii. Loading and waste removal logistics
b. Isotope Use [Isotope Use Approval]
http://ehs.whoi.edu/ehs/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=2&tabid=5&itemID=543
5.
6.
7.
8.
Policies: (speed, departure/arrival times, moving aboard, etc
Ship Navigation
Communication (voice, fax, e-mail)
Equipment
a. Cranes ( )
b. Oceanographic winches: .681 FO ( X ), Hydro ( ), Trawl ( ), CTD ( X )
c. Air Tuggers ( X )
d. Electrical power ( X )
Logistics [Notes]
1. Shipping gear to and from vessel? Mob July 11 – 12.
Driving gear down? Leaving cars? Wharehouse storage?
2. Demob – July 27 – 28.
Post-Cruise:
1. Actions departing ship
2. UNOLS cruise evaluation [Chief Scientist & Master]
3. Reports to foreign government/State Department [required for work in EEZs] w/in 30
days.
4. Data delivery [shipboard & Jason]
5. Data archiving policy:
All data on a WHOI Cruise Data Distribution (which includes all underway data)
will, by default be considered publicly available once a copy of it has been
delivered to the chief scientist at the end of the cruise. Please review the Cruise
Assignment of Data Access Protection
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