INTRODUCTION
Mid-ocean ridges are dynamic environments where globally significant chemical, biological and heat fluxes
occur between the lithosphere and hydrosphere. Investigations of mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems are
inherently interdisciplinary, reflecting the complex linkages between geological, biological, chemical, and
physical processes. The Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge has been monitored on NEPTUNE
Canada’s network for over two years. Initial research questions for this study area were:
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What are the impacts of tectonic and magmatic perturbations on biogeochemical and hydrological
processes in ridge crest environments and the overlying water column?
What are the total fluxes of heat, chemistry, and biomass out of a hydrothermal system?
What are the relative contributions to oceanic ecosystems from hydrothermal chemical flux, turbulent
buoyancy flux, and topographic interaction dynamics?
GOALS
The workshop kicked off with a key note presentation on the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge by
Dr. Deborah Kelley, Associate Director for Science with the Regional Scale Nodes (RSN) Component of the
Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), followed by updates on the status of the NEPTUNE Canada and RSN
facilities. Key results were presented, deployment plans for 2013 discussed, and future science themes
imaged. The day closed with ideas for increasing coordination across the Canadian and American networks.
For presentations and complete notes go to NEPTUNE’s Wiki :
(http://wiki.neptunecanada.ca/display/workshop/2012+Endeavour+Workshop)
PARTICIPANTS
Karen Bemis, Rutgers University
Interested but unable to attend:
David Butterfield, University of Washington, NOAA-PMEL
Rick Benson, IRIS
Pierre Marie Sarradin, Ifremer
Jim Birch, MBARI
Huaiyang Zhou, Tongji University
Suzanne Carbotte, Lamont-Doherty Earth Obser
Tom Kwasnitschka, GEOMAR
James Cowan, University of Hawaii
Jiasong Fang, Hawaii Pacific University
Kaj Hoernle, GEOMAR
Agathe Laes-Huon, Ifremer
Brandon VanderBeek, University of Oregon
Debbie Kelley, University of Washington
Duane Edgington, MBARI
Kang Ding, University of Minnesota
Jennifer Rutter, University of Southhampton
Ko-ichi Nakamura, AIST/IGG
DRAFT Endeavour Workshop Report – December 1, 2012 – San Francisco
OCEAN NETWORKS CANADA Staff: Kate Moran, Ian Kulin, Richard Dewey, Steve Mihaly, Martin
Heesemann, Martin Scherwath, Maia Hoeberechts, Leslie Elliott
OUTCOMES/RECOMMENDATIONS
Cruise sampling
NEPTUNE Canada presented current sampling done on cruises. A discussion followed about future sampling
suggestions. Deb Kelley suggested performing off-axis CTD casts to search for unknown vents (Deb can
supply sites). She also suggested revisiting Peanut, S&M, Bastille and other sites previously visited to take
measurements and observe venting. Dave Butterfield would like to use opportunities to continue existing timeseries of water samples and temperature measurements from high temperature venting sites. Photogrammetry
was identified as a valuable tool for visualization. Consensus was that photogrammetry is more valuable than
ROV-based multibeam for 3D visualization. Tom Kwasnitschka stressed the importance of performing a
dedicated video survey for photogrammetry in order to achieve optimal results. Grotto was identified as the
most important site to begin with. Karen Bemis noted that the COVIS team would benefit greatly from
photogrammetry of Grotto to incorporate into the 3D plume models.
Future instrumentation
NEPTUNE Canada should engage in a collaboration to develop and test a mass spectrometer with RSN. The
observatory would benefit if augmented by autonomous instruments. Some initial suggestions are temperature
sensors (e.g. HOBO) to get better spatial coverage and autonomous sediment profilers. Deb Kelley noted that
Giora Proskurowski is building 3D frame of thermistors. Other suggested instrumentation include additional
current meters, for example at the locations of Tempo-Mini, BARS + RAS, and COVIS and/or a mobile ADCP
platform. PIES could be integrated for profiling the entire water column. There is potential for using AUVs or
gliders to extend spatial coverage and communicate with instruments that have lost connectivity. Instruments
to be designed with back-up batteries to collect data in the case of connectivity loss.
Future data development
Wavelet data products were suggested to facilitate correlation of data and detecting signals such as the “four
day” oscillation noted by Karen Bemis and Dave Butterfield. We should try to identify other parameters that
correlate with vent fluxes. This could be achieved by combining interdisciplinary data sets e.g. diffuse flow
from COVIS + RAS + Tempo-Mini. Event detection would be useful to permit reactive sampling. Even
simple scalar-sample based event detection would be useful - Dave Butterfield would like to see its
development made a priority for NEPTUNE Canada.
Researcher engagement
We should work together to identify student projects suitable, for example, for fourth year UVic engineering
students and Ifremer students. Pierre-Marie Sarradin brought up the potential of an Ifremer-ONC exchange
program. Kate Moran suggested holding a Tempo-Mini video campaign in Digital Fishers.
DRAFT Endeavour Workshop Report – December 1, 2012 – San Francisco