MEMO
| Type | Oceanographic cruise |
|---|---|
| Ship | Thalia |
| Ship owner | Ifremer |
| Dates | 14/10/2012 - 26/10/2012 |
| Chief scientist(s) | ANTAJAN Elvire  |
IFREMER STATION ARCACHON Quai du Commandant Silhouette 33120 ARCACHON +33(0)5 56.83.85.60 |
|
| DOI | 10.17600/12070150 |
| Objective | The cruise falls under the framework of Activity 1 in the MEMO project: origin of the Mnemiopsis leidyi invasion and spatial-temporal distribution of gelatinous zooplankton. The main objective of the activity is to characterize the distribution of the ctenophore M. leidyi and other gelatinous species (jellyfish and ctenophores). Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) devoted to sampling, conservation and morphological and genetic identification of M. leidyi which have been developed by various project partners will be tested and validated during this cruise. The spatial distribution of M. leidyi along French, Belgian, Dutch and English coasts will be studied using samples taken with WP2 (200 µm mesh) and WP3 (1 mm mesh) plankton nets. At each sampling station, CTD profiles (temperature, salinity, oxygen, etc.) will also be made, as well as Niskin bottle sampling to collect water for additional analyses (chlorophyll a, suspended matter, nutrients and total flora). These parameters will help us better understand the environmental conditions which are favourable for the presence of M. leidyi and enable the species' habitat to be modelled. |
