BUSCADOR RECOLECTA

COMSOM Cruise (29GD20090522) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, Assesment of the status of benthic communities subjected to different levels of fishing impacts and marine debris as a tool for ecosystem management . Build models that explain the changes that take place in the communities of soft soils of trawling fishing grounds, depending on the fishing activity. It is also intended to assess the impact of sedimented marine litter

PERFILMED-II Cruise (29GD20090627) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, In most of the plankton production models, space is not taken into consideration, as if the pelagic trophic relations took place in an evenly distributed universe. Food or predators are parametrised as average concentration values, although spatial heterogeneity and time variability (patchiness) at all scales is a constant characteristic for marine physical and chemical variables, as well as for plankton communities. The vertical structure of plankton in patches or layers has been described since long , but their effects on the coupling between the different trophic components and the oceanographic singularities that control the matter and energy transfer have been poorly studied. In order to allow us to explain some paradoxical features of consumers production under conditions of low average resource availability, in the Framework of the PERFIL-MED cruise we studied the time-changes on the vertical pattern distribution of meso- and microplankton in relation to physical heterogeneities during the summer stratification period.The study took place on board the R/V García del Cid, from the 27/06/09 to the 01/07/09 in the Catalan Sea, NW Mediterranean, at a fixed station (40.45 ºN, 2.39 ºE). Profiles of physical (T, S), chemical (O ) and biological (fluorescence) data were made with a CTD SBE 911plus. The high-resolution vertical distribution of the rate of turbulent mechanical energy dissipation, epsilon, was obtained with a MST micro-structure profiler®. The vertical distribution of organisms ranging from 50 µm to 2 mm ESR was obtained with a TAPS® (high resolution acoustics, 6 frequency channels from 265 to 3000 KHz). For depthstratified plankton hauls (15-level, from 0 to 200 m depth) we used a LHPR® fitted with 200 and 50 µm-mesh gauzes, and the on-board analysis of microplankton was made with a FlowCam® on depth-selected water samples. All the profiles were obtained in the 0-200 m depth water column. The analysis of zooplankton biovolume, the organic C contents (from biovolume and a conversion factor), individual numbers and the identification of taxonomic groups, was made using the free software ZooImage® , which uses ImageJ® for the step of image analysis, and R for classification and data analysis

MEDOUT-09 Cruise (29GD20090712) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, Tracking the Mediterranean outflow in the Gulf of Cadiz.The MEDOUT-09 cruise was carried out in July 2009 onboard the R/V García del Cid. The region of study was west of Espartel Sill, approximately between 35°42′ and 35°54′N and between 6°15′ and 6°33′W, corresponding to an area of about 27 km × 22 km.For the water-column analysis, we use four main sets of conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) and/or velocity data. Velocity data was continuously recorded during the entire cruise using an on-board Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and was measured at the CTD stations with a Lowered ADCP (LADCP) system mounted to the rosette-CTD frame

INDEMARES-0 Cruise (29GD20090721) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, To study the benthic communities of the Cap de Creus canyon and the Menorca channel. 1. Perform video transects using the ROV-EVO in order to be able to study the benthic communities, as well as the type of dominant substrate in each sampling area. 2. Collect samples of benthos using bottom dredges in order to complement the video material and obtain granulometry data from the land. 3. Carry out transects with trawl nets in order to capture organisms (macrofauna) for taxonomic identification and various analyzes

PROMETEO-4 Cruise (29GD20090903) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, Integrated Study of deep Canyons and Slopes of the Western MEDITERRANEAN: an essential habitat.To investigate the impact on the bathyal populations of meio-, macro- and megafauna, and in particular on the deep red shrimp Aristeus antennatus, of the events of massive transport of sediment and fresh organic matter towards the deep margin and basin associated to cold water cascading from the shelf, the implications of which have recently been described by Canals et al. (Nov. 2006) in Nature.The combination of abiotic and biotic factors make the canyons and deep slopes of the Western Mediterranean essential habitats in which occur well structured communities characterized by a clear faunal zonation and trophic web of low energetic level. This fragile equilibrium is highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural perturbations (Canal et al, 2006) focused by the submarine canyons.The investigated area has been the submarine Blanes Canyon.The sampling of benthic megafauna was carried out with both an Otter-Trawl Maireta System (OTMS) and an Agassiz trawl, over the same trawling lanes.Physical oceanographic data were obtained six mooring lines were deployed between 900 and 1500 m of water depth from November 2008 to November 2009 inside the Blanes Canyon and on the adjacent open slope to the south. Each mooring line was equipped with a Technicap PPS3/3 sequential sediment trap and an Aanderaa RCM-8/9 current meter placed 30 m above the bottom Temperature and salinity data were sampled using CTD SBE 911 casts performed over the mooring sites during the different oceanographic cruises

OAMMS-2 Cruise (29GD20090915) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, Observation, Analysis and Modelling of the Mediterranean Sea(OMMS).The main objective is to consolidate a system of observation of the Mediterranean Sea through the real-time measurement of a number of meteorological and oceanographic magnitudes with a moored buoy, complemented by periodic visits with a research vessel to the mooring site and assimilation of the observations obtained in order to carry out the systematic forecasting of sea conditions in the NW Mediterranean Sea.Six-monthly visits from the R/V Garcia del Cid will be performed at the mooring site and at a grid covering parts of the Catalan Sea. On-deck inspection and maintenance of the instrumentation on the buoy will be carried out. The system was equipped with: a. Positional (GPS, ARGOS transmitter) and meteorological sensors (radiation, wind direction and speed -2 units-, air temperature -2 units-, relative humidity and air pressure). b. Sea surface sensor (temperature, salinity) and ADCP downward looking current meter. c. Underwater sensors -2 units- (depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, turbidity, photosynthetic active radiation –PAR-). d. Data logging (Campbell Scientific) and system control. e. transmitting (two-way GSM modem connection) to the shore The proposed research project also aims at consolidating an observational system based on the CEAB multiparametric buoy, equipped with meteorological and oceanographic sensors for real time measurement and transmission to shore of the atmospheric and marine conditions. The buoy will be moored from the B/O García del Cid at a fixed point in the catalan coast, at the head of the Blanes canyon. Automatic observations will be complemented by a series of visits with the CEAB boat to the station where the buoy is moored in order to gather water and plankton samples. At the same time, the present procedure will be improved for the acquisition of water color data (chlorophyll, yellow substance, suspended particles) obtained by the MERIS sensor on board ESA’s ENVISAT satellite. These data offer two levels: 1) real time high spacial resolution files for the western Mediterranean Sea (Levels 1 and 2); and 2) global low to medium spacial resolution (Level 3). The data, together with other historical data also available, will constitute the project database with public access installed in the CEAB server. Limited access will be granted to users in general and, under request, to those with justified scientific or educational interests. A protocol for quality control of the data will be established and followed by statistical analysis in order to provide the models with a sound observational base for their calibration and validation

INDEMARES-1 Cruise (29GD20090921) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, To study the benthic communities of the Cap de Creus canyon and the Menorca channel.The campaign was carried out both on the continental shelf and on the Creus Canyon. Divided into two halves, much of the efforts of the first half were used to consolidate and expand the work carried out on the platform in the INDEMARES-0 campaign, while in the second part of the campaign, samples were taken. Mainly video transects with ROV were made, which allowed to obtain excellent images in high resolution. A total of 25 dives were carried out, collecting both images to analyze quantitatively and close-ups to contribute to a better identification, later in the laboratory, of the most representative sessile species. Likewise, 17 trawl transects were carried out with the "Martin Rauschert" dredge for the study of megafauna communities and to characterize the macrofauna communities and the type of substrate, the bottom dredging was completed with the 33 sets of the dredge "Van Veen" ", And plankton trawls were made. In the second part of this campaign, samples were taken by 12 sets of CTD and Rossette, and work was done very specifically on the southern flank of the canyon. Finally, in the night shifts, the analysis of the bathymetric profile of the study area that still needed to be completed was carried out. A total of 20 of the 33 video transects of the INDEMARES 0 and I campaigns have been analyzed in detail, covering an area larger than 3,000 m2 that corresponds to more than 11,000 linear meters. This analysis has provided data on density and distribution of the 36 taxa identified on the continental shelf. Thus, video transects have identified (with the exception of sponges and ascidians) up to the lowest possible taxonomic level 14,950 benthic invertebrates, corresponding to 36 different taxonomic groups. Among them, 7 polychaetes, 18 cnidarians and 10 echinoderms, the rest being sponges, ascidians, equiuros and bivalves. In addition, it is observed that the species P. spinosum and A. palmatum are the most conspicuous and that the distribution of all the species analyzed is very heterogeneous

DESMMON Cruise (29GD20091005) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, The project aims to make a macro-scale description, from the Sea of ​​Alborán to the Catalan Sea, including the Balearic canals, of the main physical, chemical and biological properties throughout a complete seasonal cycle. It includes the distribution of physical properties and identification of different water bodies, as well as inorganic nutrients, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, and abundance and taxonomic composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities. Particularly innovative within the continental shelf and platform of the Spanish Mediterranean will address the distribution of total inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon and particulate matter, methane and nitrous oxide as well as the exchange of greenhouse gases through the ocean- atmosphere and deposition of volatile organic carbon

PROMETEO-5_BIOFUN-2 Cruise (29GD20091024) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2009, BIOdiversity and ecosystem FUNctioning in contrasting southern European deep-sea environments: from viruses to megafauna).The BIOFUN programme was multidisciplinary at its essence. The study of the deep sea under an ecosystem approach needs information from the geophysical parameters of the habitat, through taxonomy and community structure data and to processes. BIOFUN has sampled both the abiotic (CTDs, sediment analyses, currents) and biological (from viruses to megafauna) compartments and has studied the ecosystem using a wide range of methodologies that includes stable isotopes and biomarker analyses, morphological and molecular taxonomy, community structure and biodiversity indices, reproduction, chemical contamination in megafauna and litter accumulation in the habitat.During the BIOFUN cruise a combination of 2 samplers was used to collect the widest range of benthic megafauna: an otter-trawl Maireta system (OTMS) and an Agassiz dredge,They have been sampled at depths of 1200 m, 2000 m and 2700 m. Scanmar sensors were used down to 1200 m depth to estimate net geometry and times of arrival and departure from the bottom

OAMMS-3 Cruise (29GD20100301) carried out on the Research Vessel García del Cid in 2010, Observation, Analysis and Modelling of the Mediterranean Sea(OMMS).The main objective is to consolidate a system of observation of the Mediterranean Sea through the real-time measurement of a number of meteorological and oceanographic magnitudes with a moored buoy, complemented by periodic visits with a research vessel to the mooring site and assimilation of the observations obtained in order to carry out the systematic forecasting of sea conditions in the NW Mediterranean Sea.Six-monthly visits from the R/V Garcia del Cid will be performed at the mooring site and at a grid covering parts of the Catalan Sea. On-deck inspection and maintenance of the instrumentation on the buoy will be carried out. The system was equipped with: a. Positional (GPS, ARGOS transmitter) and meteorological sensors (radiation, wind direction and speed -2 units-, air temperature -2 units-, relative humidity and air pressure). b. Sea surface sensor (temperature, salinity) and ADCP downward looking current meter. c. Underwater sensors -2 units- (depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence, turbidity, photosynthetic active radiation –PAR-). d. Data logging (Campbell Scientific) and system control. e. transmitting (two-way GSM modem connection) to the shore The proposed research project also aims at consolidating an observational system based on the CEAB multiparametric buoy, equipped with meteorological and oceanographic sensors for real time measurement and transmission to shore of the atmospheric and marine conditions. The buoy will be moored from the B/O García del Cid at a fixed point in the catalan coast, at the head of the Blanes canyon. Automatic observations will be complemented by a series of visits with the CEAB boat to the station where the buoy is moored in order to gather water and plankton samples. At the same time, the present procedure will be improved for the acquisition of water color data (chlorophyll, yellow substance, suspended particles) obtained by the MERIS sensor on board ESA’s ENVISAT satellite. These data offer two levels: 1) real time high spacial resolution files for the western Mediterranean Sea (Levels 1 and 2); and 2) global low to medium spacial resolution (Level 3). The data, together with other historical data also available, will constitute the project database with public access installed in the CEAB server. Limited access will be granted to users in general and, under request, to those with justified scientific or educational interests. A protocol for quality control of the data will be established and followed by statistical analysis in order to provide the models with a sound observational base for their calibration and validation