ECOPEL 2018
| Type | Oceanographic cruise |
|---|---|
| Ship | Antea |
| Ship owner | IRD |
| Dates | 18/04/2018 - 30/07/2018 |
| Chief scientist(s) | ARTIGAS Luis Felipe  |
LABORATOIRE D'OCÉANOLOGIE ET DE GÉOSCIENCES - UMR 8187 28 avenue Foch BP 80 62930 Wimereux +33(0)3 21 99 29 00 |
|
| DOI | 10.17600/18000443 |
| Objective | The ECOPEL Channel 2018 cruises are devoted to the hydrological, biogeochemical and biological observation and characterization of pelagic coastal and offshore ecosystems in the Channel and southern North Sea. In particular, the main objective is to study the distribution and dynamics of phytoplankton (at sub-mesoscale) and of zooplancton (at mesoscale) at two crucial biological periods, during the dévelopment of the spring bloom (Leg-1) and in the summer season (Leg-2), across coastal-offshore gradients studied from the Finistère to the Dover strait and the southern bight of the North Sea. These cruises are in the continuity of previous campaigns as PHYCO (Côtes de la Manche R.V., INSU) et Pelrad (Sepia II R.V., INSU) in spring and summer 2017 (CPER project MARCO and H2020 project JERICO-Next) and of DYPHYMA I & II cruises (Côtes de la Manche R.V., INSU) in spring 2012 (INTERREG IVA « 2 Seas » project DYMAPHY), which have allowed to test and implement a coupled approach combining bio-optical continuous recording sub-surface measurements with profiles and sampling at discrete stations, for the calibration and improvement of algorithms "ocean colour" (remote sensing) characterization and the understanding of the distribution and dymamics of phytoplankton abundance and diversity in the eastern Channel. The ECOPEL cruises contribute to the implementation of an in situ observation platform of coastal marine ecosystems in the Channel (CPER project MARCO) and represent a preliminary action for the implementation of the « Monitoring Programme » of Pelagic Habitats within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) funded by the French Ministry of Ecology, engaging both the CNRS-INSU and IFREMER as co-Scientific Leads of the Pelagic Habitats theme. Together with the monitoring performed through the optimization of fisheries cruises in winter (IBTS, Thalassa R.V., IFREMER) and autumn (CGFS, Thalassa R.V., IFREMER), they will make it possible to address the seasonal variability of the hydrological and biogeochemical characteristics and the plankton diversity, distribution and dynamics in the Channel and southern North Sea area. Moreover, they will contribute to the definition of the observation strategy for the monitoring programme of pelagic habitats and to the implementation and calculation of related ecological state and surveillance indicators. |
