Vertical transport and exchange of materials in the upper waters of the oceans (VERTEX): introduction to the program, hydrographic conditions and major component fluxes during VERTEX I

This paper introduces VERTEX, a multi-disciplinary research program dealing with various aspects of particle transport in the upper, high-energy layers (0-2000 m) of the ocean. Background information is presented on hydrography, biological composition of trapped particulates, and major component fluxes observed on a cruise off central California (VERTEX I). Organic C fluxes measured with two trap systems are compared with several other estimates taken from the literature. The intent of this overview paper is to provide a common setting in an economical manner, and avoid undue repetition of background and ancillary information in subsequent publications. (PDF is 43 pages).

Oceanographic results during VERTEX particle interceptor trap experiment 17 August to 8 September 1980

This report presents oceanographic data supporting the detailed chemical studies in the VERTEX Particle Interceptor Trap (PIT) experiment off the central California coast. Prior to the deployment of the PITs, an oceanographic survey of the intended study area was made on R/V CAYUSE from 17 to 21 August 1980. During this cruise, twenty CTD stations (Fig. 1) were occupied in a grid centered about the PIT site selected earlier based on archival oceanographic data. During the second leg of the VERTEX experiment from 25 August to 3 September, CTO profiles were taken as time permitted. In addition, a short survey near the PITs was made on 2 September. The intent of the pre-deployment cruise was to obtain data characterizing the vertical and horizontal variability of physical and chemical properties and to map the geostrophic flow field. Toward this end, vertical profiles of salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen were made using a Plessey 9040 CTOa profiler. Considerable effort was expended to make vertical beam attenuation profiles to

Oceanographic results from the VERTEX 3 Particle Interceptor Trap Experiment off central Mexico,October-December,1982

In this report, we present oceanographic results from VERTEX 3 Particle Interceptor Trap (PIT) experiment conducted off the western-coast of Mexico during October to November 1982. The oceanographic data presented here were obtained during three cruise legs by Moss Landing Marine Laboratory scientists aboard R/V Cayuse while the detailed chemical studies were done by other scientists aboard R/V Wecoma. Only the oceanographic data will be presented in this report. (PDF contains 82 pages)