Cruise Report W-36 : scientific activities undertaken aboard R/V Westward, Woods Hole - San Juan, October 12 - November 23, 1977

Abstract

This report is the outcome of a six-week cruise aboard the Research Vessel Westward that took twenty-three students across the western North Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Caribbean Sea. The pages that follow outline the structure of Introduction to Marine Science (NS 225 at Boston University) and abstract the research and project work which constitutes its framework. Our objective, in addition, is to provide the students with an overview of what has been accomplished and the staff with a last opportunity to summarize observations or measurements whose significance requires reemphasis. The scientific merit and sophistication of the student reports varies appreciably; in part this reflects the variable scientific content of their academic backgrounds. I find it interesting, however, that there are striking exceptions to this correlation. In preparing this report at sea we are imparting to it limitations that time, library facilities and reflection could mitigate. On the other hand the students will soon disseminate across the Western Hemisphere and there will be no other opportunity.