SUBSEA Part 1 Begins in the South Atlantic

The SUBSEA team departed Rio de Janeiro aboard the R/V Falkor (too) this week to begin the first expedition of the project in the subtropical South Atlantic. Over the coming weeks, researchers will conduct interdisciplinary observations across the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre to investigate connections between upper ocean productivity, subsurface ecosystems, and carbon export to the deep sea.

R/V Falkor (too) departing Rio de Janeiro — R/V Falkor (too) heads into the Subtropical Gyre for the SUBSEA Part 1 expedition. Image Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Subtropical gyres are among the largest continuous biomes on Earth and play an important role in global nutrient and carbon cycling. Although these regions are often nutrient-limited, they account for a substantial fraction of ocean primary productivity and carbon export. During the expedition, scientists will investigate nutrient exchange between the photic and twilight zones using a suite of oceanographic instruments, including CTD systems, drifters, gliders, McLane pumps, and Wirewalker profilers.

Planned cruise track for the SUBSEA Part 1 expedition in the South Atlantic.

Additional information about the expedition is available through the Schmidt Ocean Institute cruise page:

SUBSEA Part 1 – Schmidt Ocean Institute

Science team on heli deck departing Rio de Janeiro — Members of the science team watch Rio de Janeiro recede into the distance from the R/V Falkor (too) heli deck. Image Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Science team aboard R/V Falkor too departing Rio — Researchers gather on deck as the expedition departs Rio de Janeiro for the South Atlantic. Image Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Matt Church and Captain Peter Reynolds — Chief Scientist Dr. Matt Church speaks with R/V Falkor (too) Captain Peter Reynolds during departure operations.

Rio de Janeiro coastline from the ship — View of Rio de Janeiro from aboard the R/V Falkor (too) as the expedition begins.

Science team on heli deck — Science team members gather on the heli deck while departing Rio de Janeiro. Image Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute.