Activities of the summer party of the 44th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, Marine Science Cruise 2003

Abstract

The second cruise for marine science was conducted as one of the projects under the five year plan Phase VI of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions (JARE-43 to -47). The Research Vessel Tangaroa (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand) was chartered for the cruise. This cruise was one of the time-serial observations shared by the TS Umitaka Maru (Tokyo University of Fisheries, Japan) in January-February 2003 and icebreaker Shirase (JARE-44) in March. Our cruise focused on process studies to reveal the relationship between plankton community variations, and biogenic green house gas production/removal and vertical transport of organic matter. The RV Tangaroa departed from Wellington, New Zealand, on the 17th of February 2003. She cruised to the study area (140-145°E , 61-65°S ), while conducting continuous observations. Station observations started on 25th February (local time) and finished on 6th March. After the station observations, continuous surface water observations were conducted again between the study area and Wellington. RV Tangaroa returned to the ocean just outside the port of Wellington on 12th March.