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USCGC Healy 1301: COMIDA HANNA SHOAL CRUISE PLAN_v2
29 JULY – 15 AUGUST 2013
CHIEF SCIENTIST: Lee Cooper (cooper@umces.edu) ph. 410-326-7359, fax 410-3267302, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL), University of Maryland Center for
Environmental Science (UMCES), Solomons, MD 20688
CRUISE PARTICIPANTS (Name, Affiliation, Status, and Email)
1. Lee Cooper, University of Maryland, Cruise Chief Scientist, cooper@umces.edu
2. Jackie Grebmeier, University of Maryland, Cruise Co-Chief Scientist, jgrebmei@umces.edu
3. Heather Crowley, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Funding Agency Representative,
Heather.Crowley@boem.gov
4. Piper Lewis, Earlham College, Graduate Student, pelewis08@earlham.edu
5. Austin Fox, Florida Institute of Technology, Graduate Student, afox2010@my.fit.edu
6. John Trefry, Florida Institute of Technology, Scientist , jtrefry@fit.edu
7. Robert Trocine, Florida Institute of Technology, Scientist, rtrocine@fit.edu
8. Yuchao Yan, Florida Institute of Technology, Graduate Student, yyan2010@my.fit.edu
9. Carolyn Blackwood, http://www.cmblackwood.com/, Professional Photographer,
carolynmblackwood@gmail.com
10. Holly Kelly, Knox County Schools, Teacher, holly.kelly@knoxschools.org
11. Sue Moore, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Scientist,
sue.moore@noaa.gov
12. Rodger Harvey, Old Dominion University, Scientist , rharvey@odu.edu
13. Molly Mikan, Old Dominion University, Graduate Student, mmika003@odu.edu
14. Ian Salter, Old Dominion University, Scientist, isalter@odu.edu
15. Karen Taylor, Old Dominion University, Technician, k3taylor@odu.edu
16. Andrea Skloss, Port Aransas Independent School District, Teacher (PolarTrec),
skloss24@yahoo.com
17. Dubrava Kirievskaya, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, Graduate Student,
dubrava.kirievskaya@gmail.com
18. Toby Martin, Scripps/STARC, Ship Support, toby@oregonstate.edu
19. Robert Thombley, Scripps/STARC, Ship Support, rthombley@ucsd.edu
20. Christina Goethel, Smith College, Graduate Student, cgoethel@smith.edu
21. Ying-Chih Fang, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Graduate Student,
yingchih.fang22@gmail.com
22. Brenda Konar, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Scientist , bhkonar@alaska.edu
23. Heather McEachen, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Graduate Student,
h.mceachen@alaska.edu
24. Kim Powell, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Graduate Student, kkpowell2@alaska.edu
25. Alex Ravelo, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Graduate Student,
alexandramravelo@gmail.com
26. Tanja Schollmeier, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Graduate Student,
tanja.schollmeier@gmail.com
27. Tom Weingartner, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Scientist , tjweingartner@alaska.edu
28. Michael Gonsior, University of Maryland, Scientist, gonsior@umces.edu
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USCGC Healy 1301 BOEM COMIDA Hanna Shoal
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29. Christian Johnson, University of Maryland, Technician, johnson@umces.edu
30. Christopher Paver, University of Maryland, Graduate Student, cpaver@umces.edu
31. Mengjie Zhang, University of Maryland, Graduate Student, mzhang@cbl.umces.edu
32. Christina Bonsell, University of Texas at Austin, Graduate Student, cebonsell@gmail.com
33. Philip Bucolo, University of Texas at Austin, Post-Doc, p.bucolo@utexas.edu
34. Kenneth Dunton, University of Texas at Austin, Scientist, ken.dunton@utexas.edu
35. Amber Hardison, University of Texas at Austin, Scientist, amber.hardison@utexas.edu
36. Stephen Jackson, University of Texas at Austin, Graduate Student, srj9@utexas.edu
37. Nathan McTigue, University of Texas at Austin, Post-Doc, mctigue@utexas.edu
38. Susan Schonberg, University of Texas at Austin, Scientist, susan.schonberg@utexas.edu
39. Jordann Young, University of Texas at Austin, Graduate Student, jkyoung@utexas.edu
40. Martin Reedy, US Fish and Wildlife Service , Scientist, mtreedy@verizon.net
41. Charlie Wright, US Fish and Wildlife Service , Scientist, cwright7@uw.edu
42. Laura Gemery, US Geological Survey, Technician, lgemery@usgs.gov
43. Philip Alatalo, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Technician, palatalo@whoi.edu
44. Carin Ashjian, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Scientist , cashjian@whoi.edu
45. Stephen Elliott LT USCG, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Graduate Student,
stephenmelliott@gmail.com
46. Hangzhou Wang, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Graduate Student,
hwang@whoi.edu
PROJECT SUMMARY
The northern Chukchi Shelf receives large inputs of organic matter advected from the highly
productive shelf regions of the North Pacific and from in situ sources of primary production,
including epontic ice algae, sediment microalgae and phytoplankton. These contributions of
highly labile organic carbon, together with potential benthic sources of regenerated inorganic
nitrogen, probably contribute to the high secondary production in various portions of this region.
In particular, the relatively shallow depths (40-55 m) and appreciable bottom flow facilitate high
standing stocks of biota, particularly in the benthos. These “hotspots” have been noted in the
vicinity of Hanna Shoal, particularly along its southeastern and eastern margins. In recognition
of the importance of the biological significance of this region and its importance for oil and gas
exploration and development, we are undertaking a multi-disciplinary investigation to examine
the biological, chemical and physical properties that define this ecosystem. Our study focuses on
the Hanna Shoal area of the northern Chukchi with respect to water column and benthic trophic
structure, sediment parameters, inventories of anthropogenic chemicals (trace metals and
organics), and inventories of plankton, benthic and epibenthic fauna. Coincidently, the physical
oceanographic study addresses water mass movements through direct measurement of
circulation, density fields, ice conditions and modeling.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To establish baseline data set for benthic infauna and epifauna, organic carbon and
sediment grain size, radioisotopes for down core dating, as well as measure trace metals
in sediments, biota and suspended particles of the COMIDA study area.
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USCGC Healy 1301 BOEM COMIDA Hanna Shoal
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DRAFT CRUISE PLAN v 27June 2013
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To determine the sources, cycles and fate of selected trace metals and the role of trace
metals on organic carbon dynamics in the coastal Chukchi Sea.
We will occupy ~40 process stations for water column and benthic measurements with a full
suite of physical, chemical and biological measurements. High-resolution CTD surveys will be
undertaken around Hanna Shoal as part of the physical oceanographic portion of the research
program.
B. CRUISE MAP, STATION LOCATIONS, AND MOORING SITES
The 2012 Healy cruise schedule:
May 16
July 3
July 9
July 26
July 28
Healy 13-01 pre-cruise meeting (by telephone)
Healy load date, Coast Guard Base, Seattle
Healy departs Seattle
Healy arrives Dutch Harbor
Healy 13-01 science can board at 10:00 lab set-up, meals available beginning
with dinner
July 29
Departure at 08:00
~July 31
Test Station, Bering Strait
~August 2
Commence Field Sampling, Hanna Shoal
August 14
End Field Sampling, Hanna Shoal
August 15
Disembark in Barrow via helicopter
August 16
Helicopter still available, designated for Healy 13-02 onload
November 20 Demobilize Seattle, offload gear
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FIELD LOGISTICS and SITE SELECTION
Our strategy for sampling includes site selection comprising 30 stations per year in summer 2012
and 2013 including: (1) random generation of 20 stations using the EMAP hexagonal tessellation
approach that insures sites are chosen randomly yet evenly distributed through the proposed Hanna
Shoal study area in the NE Chukchi Sea, and (2) selection of ten stations by the PIs that are of
potential importance (suspected “hotspots”) based on previous data or observations and/or to
include a Distributed Biological Observatory) line from the Alaska Coastline to Hanna Shoal. In
both summers, we anticipate a 24 hr/7 day field season operation.
Figure 1. Station locations and type occupied during the planned COMIDA Hanna Shoal cruise
in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska. Six mooring deployments are planned, along with opportunistic
CTD/zooplankton sampling high resolution transect 0000-0600.
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Table 1. Station listing for COMIDA HS on the USCGC Healy.
OBJECTID STATION_NUMBER
SOURCE
LAT
1
H1
Core
71.6513
2
H2
Core
72.2258
3
H3
Core
71.8699
4
H4
Core
72.5449
5
H5
Core
72.0880
6
H6
Core
72.1603
7
H7
Core
72.1149
8
H8
Core
72.3736
9
H9
Core
72.2153
10
H10
Core
72.3030
11
H11
Core
72.0438
12
H12
Core
71.8010
13
H13
Core
71.9159
14
H14
Core
72.4133
15
H15
Core
72.4473
16
H16
Core
71.9137
17
H17
Core
71.9913
18
H18
Core
71.7806
19
H19
Core
71.7144
20
H20
Core
72.1525
21
H21
Region
72.5213
22
H22
Region
72.2975
23
H23
Region
72.0218
24
H24
Region
71.6273
25
H25
Region
71.3232
26
H26
Region
71.3845
27
H27
Region
72.8316
28
H28
Region
72.4006
29
H29
Region
71.9219
30
H30
Region
72.7425
37
H31
HS_DBO_Select
71.6730
38
H32
HS_DBO_Select
71.7770
39
H33
HS_DBO_Select
71.8810
40
H34
HS_DBO_Select
71.9850
41
H35
HS_DBO_Select
72.0890
42
H36
BC_DBO_Select
71.3300
43
H37
BC_DBO_Select
71.4133
5
LONG
-162.6365
-162.1210
-162.0476
-162.2542
-161.7187
-163.5761
-162.7241
-163.0395
-160.8779
-164.2588
-164.2306
-163.5785
-162.8131
-161.2477
-160.4001
-160.9269
-163.3834
-160.2611
-161.5679
-159.9284
-164.7380
-166.2910
-165.6073
-164.7991
-161.7089
-159.5184
-161.2141
-159.3462
-158.3454
-163.6716
-158.2950
-159.0070
-159.7190
-160.4310
-161.1430
-157.3317
-157.4983
DEPTH
43
38
38
47
33
37
35
40
38
46
40
40
39
45
46
41
41
46
45
46
51
49
45
42
48
53
55
53
60
59
63
53
47
40
31
88
123
USCGC Healy 1301 BOEM COMIDA Hanna Shoal
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45
H38
H39
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BC_DBO_Select
BC_DBO_Select
71.4967
71.5783
-157.6683
-157.8383
88
68
C. FIELD OPERATIONS AND ORDER OF SAMPLING FOR STANDARD STATIONS
 Arrive on station
 CTD/rosette sampling (T/S, chl, PAR, turbidity, pH, O2)-midship, starboard side,
STARC/Tom Weingartner
 Water collections with depth via Niskin casting at 5 m depth intervals (chl, nuts, POC)need 5 depths, also organics here
 Benthic camera deployment (std. side aft, hand-deployed)
 Plankton net collection (phytoplankton, stbd. side aft, hand-deployed)
 Plankton net collections (zooplankton bongo net (1)150/500 µm, 1 m2 ring net (2) µmfantail
 Benthic collections (5-8 van Veen grabs, all stn; # depends on PI needs)
 Surface sediments by HAPS.
 Benthic trawling (25 stn)
 Transit to next station
Time Estimates Per Station, ~18 hr day (process), 6 hr (CTD/zoop)
1. Standard station
 CTD (24 bottle, 10 L rosette=0.5 hr
 Phytoplankton net sampling = 0.2 hr.
 Zooplankton sampling=0.5 hr
 Camera deployment (hand held)=coincident with stern net sampling
 Quantitative grab (x 5)=1 hr
 Double van Veen grab (2-3)=0.5 hr
 Single HAPS corer=0.5 hr
 Epibenthic trawl, 3 m beam trawl (7mm mesh)=1 hr
 Box coring=1 hr (periodically)
Total time: 4-5 hrs
D. METHODOLOGY: SPECIFIC COMPONENTS CRUISE PLAN
Briefly these plans include:
i. Water column (Dunton, Cooper, Harvey, Trefry, Ashjian)
 Chlorophyll a: Collect seawater 5 m depth intervals. Filter water samples onto glass fiber
filters and process shipboard (Cooper).
 Phytoplankton Composition: Collect seawater at 5 m depth intervals. Run samples
through desktop imaging flow cytometer (Ashjian/Laney)
 Bottom water collection for Grebmeier sediment experiments for rosette
 POM, water for biomarker and trace metal determination. Collect seawater at 5 m depths
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Phytoplankton: One hand-deployed haul of a small ring net off to collect phytoplankton
for natural abundance isotope analysis.
Zooplankton: a. One Bongo net hauls will be collected for zooplankton abundance and
population structure (Ashjian/Campbell). B. Two vertical tows with ring net to collect
water column fauna. One ring net sample to be shared between Ashjian/Campbell
(RNA/DNA content, genetics) and Dunton (Samples will be sorted, identified, dried and
sent to UTMSI for natural abundance isotope analyses). One ring net sample will be used
by Trefry. Depending on ice conditions, we could elect do oblique tows rather than
vertical tows for which the ship would be moving ~1 knot.
a. Vertical Bongo Tows (VBONGO) are conducted from the aft 3/8” steel cable.
This will be a vertical tow (with the ship not moving) to 3 to 10 m off the bottom
at 20 m/min, or fastest achievable to maintain tension, wire speed on descent and
60 m/min wire speed on ascent. The bongo is attached directly to the end of the
wire. There is a weight system that is attached to the cross-piece of the bongo
frame. There will be a flasher (strobe used on moorings) attached to the net that
will be turned on during the tow. These samples will be preserved in 4%
seawater-formalin immediately after the tow.
b. Vertical Ring Net Tows are conducted from the aft 3/8” steel cable. This will be a
vertical tow to 10 m off the bottom at 20 m/min wire speed on ascent. The large
lead weight that is resident on board Healy is attached to the end of the wire, the
weight is lowered until it reaches the water, and then the net is attached to the
wire at deck level using a wire clamp. There may be a flasher (strobe used on
moorings) attached to the net that will be turned on during the tow. These
samples will be processed using microscopes (one sample) and whatever John
does (second sample)
ii. Sediments
1. Grebmeier/Cooper-Benthic stations (30 stations, 5 grabs/stn)
a. Five 0.1m2 single van Veen grabs will be collected. A sub sample of the first grab will
be collected for total organic carbon and grain size analyses as well as a sub sample via
a 10 cc syringe for sediment chlorophyll determinations using Turner fluorometer
b. The subsequent 4 van Veen samples will be sieved using seawater on a 1 mm stainless
steel screen to collect macrofauna, which will be packaged and preserves with 10%
buffered seawater formalin for post-cruise processing at CBL
c. Haps core collections of cores for: 1) downcore Pb-210 and Cs-137 determinations
(Cooper)
d. Haps core collections for sediment oxygen update experiments (Grebmeier) and benthic
animal experiments (Dunton)
e. Benthic camera system for epibenthic survey (Cooper)
f. Laura Lapham will take subsamples from the HAPs corer fir studying the methane
cycle in water column and sediments of the Chuckchi Sea
2. Dunton/Schonberg-Sediment Biology - Benthic Grab: (30 Stations, 2 grab/stn)
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USCGC Healy 1301 BOEM COMIDA Hanna Shoal
a.
b.
DRAFT CRUISE PLAN v 27June 2013
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Benthic infaunal collections with double van Veen system. Sieve sediments with
seawater, sort, identify, count, and weigh organisms. A subsample of collected
organisms will be frozen for transport to UTMSI for natural abundance isotope
analyses. A voucher collection of represented organisms will be made and preserved
with 10% ethanol.
Sediment chlorophyll, ammonium, C:N, stable isotopes: Collect several (5-50 cc)
samples of surface sediments and 50 cc syringe cores from one benthic grab at each of
30 stations that are either processed immediately (chl) or frozen for subsequent analysis
at UTMSI. Collaborate with Lee Cooper on this component.
3. Trefry: Contaminants
a. Shared sediment cores and water column hydrography from ~30 locations
b. Water samples (again shared) for TSS, POC, nutrients, selected trace metals, etc. at
selected stations (number to worked out, perhaps not all stations)
c. Biota as available for chemical analysis (organic contaminants and metals)
4. Harvey: Biomarkers/contaminants
a. Shared sediments for surface measures (25 stations) and deeper sediment cores where
needed to fill in 09 sampling gaps.
b. Water column particles for surface, chlorophyll max and near bottom.
c. Biota as available for chemical analysis.
d. Fish for toxicology if needed for program.
5. Kuletz and Moore Seabird and Marine mammal observations.
a. Seabird observations will be made from the bridge while the ship is transiting. Space
for a laptop computer and real-time linkage to the ship’s GPS is requested.
b. Marine mammal observations will be made from the bridge while the ship is transiting.
Space is requested for a laptop computer and real-time linkage to the ship’s GPS is
requested.
6. Konar-Epibenthic communities
c. Epibenthic communities will be sampled concurrently with demersal fishes using a
small single warp plumb staff beam trawl, which will be deployed from the vessel’s Aframe
d. Trawls will be relatively short (approximately 5 minutes) in an attempt to quantify as
much of the catch as possible. Vessel towing speed is 1 – 1.5 kt speed over ground
(SOG). A typical beam trawl tow is 300 – 500 m in distance, requiring approximately
60 minutes of wire time. The net will be towed again at the site if the first tow is
unsuccessful.
e. Catches will be immediately sorted on the ship’s deck and placed into larger taxonomic
groups. Species lists will be compiled by station during the cruise so that a
presence/absence database will result. Voucher specimens also will be prepared by
station for organisms that cannot be identified in the field by fixing them in 10%
buffered formalin and shipping them to UAF or UT for further taxonomic
identification.
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USCGC Healy 1301 BOEM COMIDA Hanna Shoal
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g.
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Along with a species list for each station, target organisms from the trawls will be
selected for a more detailed community examination. Target organisms will include
species who are trophically important or whose abundance and/or biomass is relatively
high. The community examination will include measures of abundance, biomass, and
population size structure. All processing of these samples will occur on the ship.
The community examination will include measures of abundance, biomass, and
population size structure. All processing of these samples will occur on the ship.
E. CHEMICAL/GAS REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIC COMPONENTS
1. Grebmeier: 1, 4-L bottles 37% formaldehyde (already at Coast Guard base in storage per
Scott Hiller), hexamethylenetetramine buffer 1-10N sulfuric acid, 0.1 N HCl, Winkler
chemicals-send
2. Cooper: Acetone, 2-4L-load in Seattle
3. Dunton: Ethanol 100%: (4 L), Acetone (4 L)
4. Trefry: High purity and reagent grade nitric acid, Nitrogen gas, HPLC water, pH buffers,
Baking soda, Turbidity standards
5. Harvey: Liquid Nitrogen in Dewar Ethanol (1 L)
6. Konar: 37% formaldehyde
7. Ashjian: Ethanol 100%: (2L), Formaldehyde 37%: 10 L, Clorox bleach (1L)
F. FIELD EQUIPMENT (see HLY1201 ship operations_equipment_lab needs.xlsx)
1. WATER COLUMN
 Healy CTD system with 24 10-L rosette system
 Ring (phytoplankton, zooplankton) and Bongo (zooplankton) nets
2. SEDIMENTS (GREBMEIER, HARVEY, KONAR, TREFRY)
 0.1 m2 van Veen grabs (2) (Grebmeier)
 0.1 m2 double van Veen grab (1) (Trefry)
 Benthos gravity core (Cooper & Trefry)
 1-mm screen sieve boxes/stands (4) (Grebmeier, Dunton)
 3-m plumb staff beam trawl with 4 mm codend liner and rock dredge (1 ea) (Konar)
 single and multi-HAPS corer (Grebmeier/Cooper)
 one box core and slicing table (Harvey)
 benthic video camera system (Cooper)
 epibenthic beam trawl: one/station
3. LAB EQUIPMENT (TREFRY)
 2 Laminar flow hoods (2' x 2' x3.5' tall) (one for back up)
 Vacuum filtration systems with oil-free pumps.
 Peristaltic pumps with 100' of clean Tygon
 Deionized water system
 Possibly bench top turbidity and or UV-Vis instruments
 Possibly SONDE 6600 with most sensors (incl PAR)
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
Bench top oxygen, Eh and pH sensors for box core subsamples
4.



LAB EQUPMENT AND SUPPLIES (KONAR)
Jars and buckets for vouchers, Spring scale
Measuring board and calipers, Algal press
Keys and guides, Data sheets and field note book, GPS
5. LAB EQUIPMENT (Harvey)
 Vacuum filtration system (sink for pump).
 Peristaltic pumps with 100' of clean Tygon
 Deionized water system (or use trefrey’s)
 Toxicology setup for COMET assays onboard
6. LAB EQUIPMENT (Ashjian/Campbell/Laney)
 Two microscopes
 Laptop Computer
 Imaging flow cytometer (contains a laser)
 Acuri flow cytometer
 Overhead lights for failing old eyes
G. FREEZER NEEDS (CUBIC FT SPACE)
 Grebmeier/Cooper: two large ice chest (4 cu ft)
 Dunton: one larger ice chest (4 cu ft) and access to 2-3 cu ft of -80 C space
 Trefry: two large ice chests (8 cu ft)
 Harvey: one large ice chest (8 cu ft)
 Konar n=10-50 lb fish boxes, dimension 15” x 30” x 8” high
 Ashjian: 1 cu ft. in -80°C freezer
H. LAB SPACE REQUIREMENTS (EST. LINEAR FOOT)
 Ashjian/Campbell: 6 linear ft in main lab, plus access to sink and fume hood, floor space
in climate control room maintained at ~ ambient for 1 cooler
 Laney/Ashjian: 4 linear ft. in main lab (imaging flow cytometer, Acuri flow cytometer)
The imager is a desktop model. We’ll collect water from the Niskins and run it through
the instrument on the bench.
 Cooper: 4 linear ft in main lab, plus flurometer set up in hydro lab near climate control
rooms
 Dunton: 8-10 linear ft in main lab, 6 linear ft wet lab; one climate control room
maintained at ~2°C (can be shared); sink access for vacuum filtration (up to 12 hr/day,
not continuous)
 Grebmeier: 6 linear ft in main lab, plus 3 linear ft in wet lab; also one climate control
room maintained ~2°C; aft staging area
 Harvey: 8 linear ft main lab
 Konar: aft staging area use and 3 linear ft in main lab
 Trefry: 12 linear ft main lab, Sink and adjacent areas in Harvey lab area
10