Gradients

Gradients

The overall goal of the SCOPE-Gradients program is to test and revise conceptual and mathematical/numerical models of marine biogeochemical organization and to develop complementary statistical models of microbial biogeography. The regions of focus are the northern and southern transitions between the North Pacific subtropical gyre and the two abutting ecosystems - the subpolar gyre to the north and the equatorial divergence zone to the south. This will be the fifth gradients cruise since 2016. The first three cruises (2016, 2017, 2019) transited ~25 degrees north to/from Hawaii along 158 West. The fourth gradients cruise scheduled for Nov, 2021 targets the transition between the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and the equatorial divergence zone. The fifth gradients cruise requested here would target the same region as gradients 4. The cruises utilize multiple underway instruments that measure different components of the microbial community and tap into the seawater intake system as well using a towfish sampler to collect trace metal clean water. Approximately 12 stations will be occupied for up to 36 hrs to collect depth profiles of water properties and to collect seawater samples for analyses and on-deck incubations.