THE SCIENCE
OF PLYMOUTH SOUND
An offshore survey of Plymouth Bay was conducted on 4/7/18 on RV Callista. The aim to investigate various components of the water with emphasis on the thermolcline and nutrient profiles observed within the water column at 5 different sites.
Further investigation went into the phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and community structure, as well observing chlorophyll and oxygen concentrations. ADCP, CTD and phytoplankton data was collected and processed, as well as samples from a zooplankton net that was deployed vertically in the water column.
Geology: We undertook a small survey of the geology on 5/7/18 at Heybrook Bay, looking at the strike and dip of the rock formations. This gave us an idea of the overall geology of the region.
Geophysics: Plymouth sound is a special area of conservation (http://jncc.defra.gov.uk, 2018) and we aimed to produce a habitat map showing the various habitat types. A side scan sonar was used to produce an image of the seabed on 6/7/18, along 4 different transects, giving us a clear depiction of the structure and formations of sediment along the sea floor.
The Tamar River and Estuary which flows into Plymouth Sound were surveyed on 9/8/18 to investigate the various components within the water column, looking at the phytoplankton and zooplankton, along with the thermal and nutrient profiles within the water.
ADCP, CTD and phytoplankton data was collected on RV Falcon Spirit and a horizontal zooplankton net was deployed to obtain samples. and processed, both on the boat and in the lab, displaying our initial findings for all sites up the estuary. RV Winnie the Pooh was used to collect data further up the estuary.
Data was also collected from the pontoon between the river and Plymouth Sound.
| Offshore Survey |
| Estuary Survey |
| Habitat Mapping |