Final cruise report and post-cruise sample processing R/V Gulf Challenger “GC Mixo 23-04”

Abstract

A primary topic of interest in the field of biological oceanography is the role of planktonic productivity in the global carbon cycle. Over the past 20+ years, the traditional food web of algal production, zooplanktonic consumers and higher trophic level predators has been undergoing revision with a stronger understanding of the contributions made within the microbial loop. Of particular interest has been mixotrophy, the blurring of trophic mode assignments within the microbial eukaryotes.

The overall goal of this cruise was to obtain a snapshot of the prevalence of mixotrophy within the Gulf of Maine and the potential contributions of mixotrophs to copepod diets. This cruise was meant to supplement the previous cruise (2303) during which we were only able to sample one station (WB7). The specific goal for this cruise was to sample WB2.