SV Kommandor Jack cruise Leg 2, 26 Jul-21 Aug 2002. DTI ‘Northern Triangle’ Environmental Survey: seabed survey of the deep waters to the north of Shetland

This cruise formed part of the continuing Atlantic Margin Environmental Survey (AMES). The general objective of this cruise was to carry out a seabed environmental survey of the deep waters to the North of Shetland within the UKCS (United Kingdom Continental Shelf) area. The cruise carried out seabed sampling and photography: (a) To describe and characterise the ‘iceberg ploughmark zone’ on the North Shetland Slope. (b) To assess alongslope variation in sediments and associated fauna on the North Shetland Slope. (c) To examine the potential contourite deposit and its associated fauna at the foot of the North Shetland Slope. (d) To investigate the seabed environment and fauna of the ‘Pilot Whale Diapirs’. (e) To describe and characterize ‘hard ground’ areas of the NE Faroe Plateau. (f) To investigate the Tampen Slide area in the extreme north of the UKCS. In each of these areas seabed samples were obtained (Day grab, box corer, Megacorer, gravity corer) to study various environmental parameters (hydrocarbons, heavy metals, particle size) and macrobenthos communities. Photographic and video observations (SOC WASP system) of the seabed and its fauna were also undertaken.