IODP Expedition 383
Dynamics of Pacific Antarctic Circumpolar Current (DYNAPACC)
Daily Science Report for 31 May 2019
Location:
• Underway to Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B) in the central South Pacific
• Hole U1539A (56°9.060′S, 115°8.0460′W; water depth 4071.7 mbsl)
Science Update: At 1100 h, we held a meeting to hear presentations on southeastern Pacific and Southern Ocean paleoceanography based on diatoms and calcareous nannofossils. At 1142 h, after a total transit of 1634 nmi over 6.4 d, we arrived at Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B). We lowered the thrusters and then switched to dynamic positioning mode. Drill floor operations began at 1215 h and the APC/XCB bottom-hole assembly was made up. By the end of the day, the drill string had been deployed to 3578 m below sea level. Wind and sea conditions remained calm throughout the day.
Daily Science Report for 30 May 2019
Location: Underway to Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B) in the central South Pacific
Science Update: The scientists met for presentations about the effects of precession and CO2 on sea ice cover in the Okhotsk Sea over the past 130 ky and deep ocean circulation changes in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. They also reviewed and conducted some training on laboratory procedures and instrumentation. Weather and sea conditions were good for this time of year, with waves averaging 2.1 m in height and winds of 10 kt. Our average speed for the day was 10.5 kt, and we have 127 nmi remaining to our first site. The estimated time of arrival at proposed Site CSP-2B is 1200 h on 31 May.
Daily Science Report for 29 May 2019
Location: Underway to Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B) in the central South Pacific
Science Update: The sedimentology team received training on the core X-ray imaging instrument, while the other laboratory teams continued to prepare their laboratories for receiving core. The Sample Allocation Committee reviewed and finalized the shipboard sampling plan for the first site. In the evening, the Co-Chief Scientist on shift presented the expedition scientific objectives to the IODP JRSO technical staff and Siem Offshore personnel working on the day shift. We held a live broadcast with first-year earth and ocean sciences students at Otago University in New Zealand. The ship tours scheduled for today were cancelled due to rough seas.
We covered 251 nmi over the last 24 h at an average speed of 10.5 kt. With 380 nmi remaining to Site U1539, the estimated time of arrival on site is now 1500 h on 31 May.
Daily Science Report for 28 May 2019
Location: Underway to Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B) in the central South Pacific
Science Update: The Co-Chief Scientists presented the expedition scientific objectives to technicians and Siem Offshore personnel working on the night shift, and the film crew screened examples of their documentary/nonfiction cinematography work. The paleontologists received training on the sampling application and a core flow exercise by the Curator. The Operations Superintendent held two guided tours of the vessel to half of the science party and the new technical staff. While transiting in international waters, surface water samples are being collected twice a day for the study of modern planktonic organisms living in the east Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean.
Today we transited 265 nmi at an average speed of 11 kt. We have 631 nmi remaining to our first site. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1539 is around noon on Friday 31 May.
Daily Science Report for 27 May 2019
Location: Underway to Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B) in the central South Pacific
Science Update: The laboratory teams finalized and submitted the drafts of their Methods chapters and their sampling plans for the expedition, and continued to familiarize themselves with the ship’s laboratories. The scientific party and IODP JRSO technical staff received survival suit training from the ship’s crew. The film crew presented examples of their documentary/nonfiction cinematography work to scientists and technicians working on the day shift.
Today we transited 260 nmi at an average speed of 10.8 kt. There are 896 nmi remaining to our first site. Weather and sea conditions remained fair throughout the day, but are expected to deteriorate over the next 48 h. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1539 is now noon on 31 May.
Daily Science Report for 26 May 2019
Location: Underway to Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B) in the central South Pacific
Science Update: Today, the Co-Chief Scientists presented the scientific objectives and operations plan for Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B), where we expect to recover calcareous and biosiliceous sediment that will allow us to study the Plio-Pleistocene evolution of the subantarctic Pacific with a focus on the carbon cycle. The Sample Allocation Committee met with the geochemistry team to discuss and finalize their shipboard sampling plan, and the micropaleontologists and sedimentologists received training on the use of the scanning electron microscope (SEM). All laboratory groups continued working on their Methods chapters for the expedition. A fire and abandon ship drill was held in the afternoon. Today we transited 254 nmi at an average speed of 10.6 kt, and we have 1156 nmi remaining to our first site. Weather conditions are deteriorating and slower transit speeds are expected. The estimated date of arrival at Site U1539 is 1 June.
Daily Science Report for 25 May 2019
Location: Underway to Site U1539 (proposed Site CSP-2B) in the central South Pacific
Science Update: The day started alongside Cabo Negro Fuel Terminal preparing for departure. At 0036 h, the JOIDES Resolution departed for the central South Pacific, taking the western route through the Strait of Magellan and averaging 10.9 kt in good weather. Today’s science activities included an overview of the scientists’ obligations, shipboard sampling, and ship reports. The laboratory teams continued to work on their laboratory procedures and Methods chapters for the expedition.
Daily Science Report for 24 May 2019
Location:
• Prat Terminal Pier, Punta Arenas, Chile
• Cabo Negro Fuel Terminal, Punta Arenas, Chile
Science Update: Today, the Curator gave an introduction about IODP core curation for the entire science party and held training sessions on core curation and sample data entry. The micropaleontologists received training in the core description software. Later, the scientists each introduced their scientific research plans for the expedition. In the afternoon, the Co-Chief Scientists, Operations Superintendent, Schlumberger Logging Engineer, Expedition Project Manager (EPM), and Chilean Coastal Observer met with the ship’s crew to review planned operations for our first planned sites along the Chilean Coast, and the alternate plan to navigate to the central South Pacific in case drilling approval was not obtained by the time of departure.
The vessel moved to anchorage at 0445 h, and then transited to the Cabo Negro Oil Terminal for bunkering. Fueling started at 1255 h and was completed at 2200 h with the loading of ~1550 metric tons. During the afternoon, the vessel was informed that clearance to conduct operations in Chilean waters was unlikely to happen by the end of the day or over the weekend; therefore, the decision was made to transit to our sites in international waters. The vessel was later informed by the local Maritime Authority that we would not be allowed to leave without authorization from the Servicio Hidrográfico y Oceanográfico de la Armada (SHOA) of Chile. Once our Chilean Coastal Observer obtained approval to depart from SHOA, the vessel was cleared for departure at 2300 h.
Daily Science Report for 23 May 2019
Location: Prat Terminal Pier 1, Punta Arenas, Chile
Science Update: The day began with the Outreach Officer giving an overview of the education and outreach plans to the science party. The Film Crew provided overviews and details about their plans for the science documentary and explained opportunities to participate to the science party and the IODP JRSO technical staff. Following that, the Co-Chief Scientists gave a presentation to the science party and the Siem Offshore management about the expedition’s scientific and operational objectives, and the Operations Superintendent explained coring operations on the JOIDES Resolution. The core describers and micropaleontologists were introduced to the core description application, and the geochemistry, physical properties, and paleomagnetism teams met to discuss their shipboard sampling plan.
All Expedition 383 freight was loaded on the vessel and the Expedition 382 cores were offloaded and placed into two refrigerated containers for shipping. A Chilean Coastal Observer boarded the ship at the end of the day.
Daily Science Report for 22 May 2019
Location: Prat Terminal Pier 1, Punta Arenas, Chile
Science Update: In the morning, the Expedition 383 scientists met with the IODP JRSO Technical Staff. Following that, the Staff Scientist gave an introduction to the objectives of the expedition and explained how they will be achieved. Scientific teams met in their laboratories to get acquainted with the laboratory instruments. A press conference and ship tours were held by the Co-Chief Scientists and the Staff Scientist for members of the Chilean national and regional press. Throughout the rest of the morning, ship tours and presentations were provided for 51 students and teachers from local high schools. In the afternoon, the Captain, Ship’s Doctor, Offshore Installation Manager, First and Second Mates, and the Camp Boss introduced themselves to the Science Party and new IODP JRSO Technical Staff, and gave a presentation on vessel safety. Following that, the Co-Chief Scientists and the Staff Scientist held a science presentation and a ship tour for over a dozen researchers from the Instituto Antárctico Chileno and the Centro de Investigación GAIA Antártica from the Universidad de Magallanes.
All IODP and Siem Offshore freight was received and staged for loading, and the installation of the forward core winch was completed.
Daily Science Report for 21 May 2019
Location: Prat Terminal Pier 1, Punta Arenas, Chile
Science Update: The Expedition 383 scientific party boarded the vessel at 1030 h and the scientists were shown to their cabins. We held a short introductory orientation meeting and the scientists had their photographs taken. After lunch, the science party met for presentations about life aboard and general laboratory safety. Then the scientists received an introduction to the shipboard I.T. systems, and the Marine Computer Specialists helped to set up the scientists’ computers to access the ship’s network. The oncoming Siem Offshore crew arrived and crossed over with the offgoing crew. Other activities included the loading of three truckloads of sepiolite (~75 short tons).
Daily Science Report for 20 May 2019
Location: Prat Terminal Pier 1, Punta Arenas, Chile
Science Update: One of the Expedition 383 Co-Chief Scientists, the Expedition Project Manager/Staff Scientist, and the IODP JRSO technical staff boarded the JOIDES Resolution at 0930 h and met with members of the offgoing science party and staff. Port call activities began but all loading and unloading of freight was postponed until the afternoon due to high winds. Two trucks of barite (~80 short tons) were loaded. The second Co-Chief Scientist arrived at night due to flight delays.