Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP)

Latitude and Longitude: 49N,16.5W

Depth: 4800m

Oceanographic Region: Northeast Atlantic

History of the Site:

Since 1989, this environmental study site in the Northeast Atlantic has become a major focus for international and interdisciplinary scientific research and monitoring including water column biogeochemistry, physics and benthic biology. Since 2002, a mooring has been in place with sensors taking a diverse set of biogeochemical and physical measurements of the upper 1000m of the water column. Some of these data are transmitted in near real-time via satellite.

Parameters measured:

Parameter	Depths measured (m)	Sensor(s) used

Temperature	30,40,60,75,90,110,130,150,200,250,300,1000	Microcat
Salinity	30,40,60,75,90,110,130,150,200,250,300,1000	Microcat
Chl-a	30	HobiLabs HS2, WETLabs FLNTUSB
Nitrate	30	NAS3, SATLANTIC ISUS
PAR	-
Dissolved Carbon Dioxide	30	Sunburst SAMI
POC	3000,3050,4700	McLane Sediment Trap
Sea pressure	-
Dissolved Oxygen	-
Wave Height	-
Current Profile	-
Turbidity	-

Benthic studies:

See website http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/obe/PROJECTS/DEEPSEAS/

Enhancement/Modifications planned within EuroSITES:

Continuation: Real-time and delayed-mode data on PCO2, Chlorophyll, nutrients, water column physics and downward particle flux. Benthic biology including Bathysnap time-series camera system.
Enhancement: mesozooplankton analyser and oxygen consumption measurement

Contacts:

Principal Investigator: Dr. Richard Lampitt (rsl@noc.soton.ac.uk)
Scientists involved: Dr. Kate Larkin (kel1@noc.soton.ac.uk), Sue Hartman (suh@noc.soton.ac.uk), Corinne Pebody (cawo@noc.soton.ac.uk)
Data manager: Maureen Pagnani (mred@noc.soton.ac.uk)

Links to related websites:

http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/pap/
http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/animate
http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/obe/PROJECTS/DEEPSEAS/

EuroSITES is a FP7 Collaborative Project coordinated by the
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK