| EK60 Water Column Sonar Data Collected During SE1606 |
| Kona Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Survey (SE1606, EK60). During this cruise, small-boat
surveys were conducted of surface slicks in order to assess their ecological relevance
and underlying physical derivers. To assess the slick-associated plankton community
and to collect samples for microplastics, a stern-towed surface plankton net and vertical
drop net of varying mesh sizes (50 and 335 um) were utilized. To assess the presence
of higher, more mobile trophic groups near surface slicks, active acoustic surveys
were performed in conjunction with plankton tows. Physical and chemical sampling of
surface slicks occurred in concert with plankton and acoustic surveys. A hand-held
CTD, hand lowered over the side to collect vertical profiles of temperature, salinity,
and water clarity. Grab samples of water were collected for nutrient and chlorophyll
concentrations. Areal surveys of surface slicks were performed using an NMFS Unmanned
Areal System (UAS), specifically an APH-22 hexacopter to provide high-resolution areal
imagery of surface slicks in the region. |
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