RRS Discovery Cruise 231, 28 Feb-30 Mar 1998. BENGAL: High resolution temporal and spatial study of the BENthic biology and Geochemistry of a north-eastern Atlantic abyssal Locality

Discovery Cruise 231 was the fifth of a series of cruises within a 3-year contract (MAS3 CT950018), BENGAL, funded under the MAST III programme of the EU and running from February 1996 to January 1999. The overall objective of the contract is to monitor the influence of the seasonal sedimentation of phytodetritus on the benthic biology and chemistry of a study site on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain. Like the second BENGAL cruise (Discovery 226, March/April 1997) cruise 231 was timed to precede the current year’s input of phytodetritus expected in May/June. The intention was to obtain a series of samples and data to compare with those taken during cruise 226 and to service deployed moorings. The cruise generally experienced good weather and, with the exception of some gear failures, was very successful, achieving almost all of the intended sampling.