AMT3 Cruise Report

The objectives of the cruise remained similar to the first two transects, and included:

• To improve our understanding of the relationship between physical processes and biological production
• Identify, define and quantify latitudinal changes in biogeochemical provinces
• Determine phytoplankton characteristics and photosynthetic parameters
• Identify nutrient regimes and their role in biogeochemical cycles
• Characterise plankton community structure, including the accurate determination of carbon values
• Relate the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in surface waters with the biological production
• Acquire data for the calibration of remotely sensed observations
• Secondary validation of remotely sensed products
• Interpret basin-scale remote sensing observations
• Develop models that enable the interpretation of satellite imagery in terms of total water column properties