Cruise Report S-206 : Scientific data collected aboard SSV Robert C. Seamans, Seattle, WA – Victoria, British Columbia – Skung Gwaii, Anthony Island – Tahsis, British Columbia – San Francisco, CA. 7 July – 2 August, 2006

Abstract

This cruise report provides a record of data collected during S206 aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans from Seattle, Washington to San Francisco, California (Figure 1) with stops at Victoria, British Columbia, Skung Gwaii village on Anthony Island and Tahsis, British Columbia. We collected samples or data with 110 individual deployments from 60 discrete stations (Table 2) along our cruise track. In addition we continuously sampled water depth, sub-bottom profiles and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiles (ADCP) along with flow-through sea surface temperature, salinity and in vivo fluorescence. This report summarizes physical, chemical and biological characteristics along our cruise track. The S206 cruise track traversed several coastal regions that can be distinguished by their sea surface temperature, salinity, and fluorescence values (Figures 2). Inshore-offshore transects of surface stations revealed the distribution of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and bacteria near river outflows Table 3). Detailed views of specific transects through specific coastal regions reveal dynamic spatial (nautical miles) and temporal (days) variability (Figures 3 a-d). Sub-surface water masses and their chemical properties were also surveyed using a CTD and 12 bottle carousel (Tables 4 and 5). Regional scale hydrography is summarized by T-S plots (Figure 4). Surface currents throughout our cruise track were generally weak except for regionally isolated phenomena (Figure 5). The distribution of neuston and meter net stations and corresponding zooplankton density and numbers of select nekton species are presented (Tables 6-7). Location and relevant station depths for sediment samples are shown in Table 8. In addition, a complete biomass and compositional survey of lower tropic levels was completed in several regions; from enumeration of bacterial communities using epifluorescence microscopy through phytoplankton, zooplankton and meroplankton communities to myctophids (lantern fish) and other micronekton. Results, not reported here, are available upon request through SEA. As part of SEA’s educational program, undergraduates conducted independent oceanographic research during the cruise. Project explored regionally, relevant topics in the disciplines of physical, chemical, biological and geological oceanography (Table 9). Student research efforts culminated in a written report and public presentation to the ship’s company. These papers are available on request from SEA.