SUPER HI-CAT
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C-MORE: SUPER HI-CAT
The SUPER HI-CAT research cruise was the first effort to study the microbial communities and the biogeochemistry
associated with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
.[1] The study was conducted aboard the RV Kilo Moana (T-AGOR-26)
between August 25, 2008 and September 5, 2008 by researchers from UH Manoa, Oregon State University
, and the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
Previous research on the Plastic Patch had mostly focused on the effects of the plastic pieces on jellyfish
, fish
, sea turtles, and seabirds. Relatively little was known about how this type of marine debris
would affect the microbial communities that make up 98% of the biomass
in the ocean and control oceanic biogeochemistry. During this cruise, 30 sites were sampled. At 15 of these sites, a modified surface net called a manta trawl
was used to collect plastic pieces, while water samples were collected from the upper 200 meters of the ocean. At the other 15 stations, only the surface waters were sampled. This study will allow researchers to begin to determine whether biofilms are forming on the plastic particles, whether the microbes living on the particles are different than the free-living planktonic organisms, and what effect these communities might have on the oceanic carbon cycle
and nitrogen cycle
.
The SUPER HI-CAT research cruise was the first effort to study the microbial communities and the biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry is the scientific discipline that involves the study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment...
associated with the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also described as the Pacific Trash Vortex, is a gyre of marine litter in the central North Pacific Ocean located roughly between 135°W to 155°W and 35°N to 42°N...
.[1] The study was conducted aboard the RV Kilo Moana (T-AGOR-26)
RV Kilo Moana (T-AGOR-26)
R/V Kilo Moana is a small waterplane area twin hull oceanographic research ship owned by the US Navy and operated by the University of Hawaii as a part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System fleet. She was designed to operate in coastal and blue water areas...
between August 25, 2008 and September 5, 2008 by researchers from UH Manoa, Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, and the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
Previous research on the Plastic Patch had mostly focused on the effects of the plastic pieces on jellyfish
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. Medusa is another word for jellyfish, and refers to any free-swimming jellyfish stages in the phylum Cnidaria...
, fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
, sea turtles, and seabirds. Relatively little was known about how this type of marine debris
Marine debris
Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human created waste that has deliberately or accidentally become afloat in a lake, sea, ocean or waterway. Oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the centre of gyres and on coastlines, frequently washing aground, when it is known as beach litter or...
would affect the microbial communities that make up 98% of the biomass
Biomass
Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is biological material from living, or recently living organisms. As an energy source, biomass can either be used directly, or converted into other energy products such as biofuel....
in the ocean and control oceanic biogeochemistry. During this cruise, 30 sites were sampled. At 15 of these sites, a modified surface net called a manta trawl
Manta trawl
A Manta Trawl is a net system for sampling the surface of the ocean. It resembles a manta ray, with metal wings and a broad mouth. The net it pulls is made of thin mesh, and the whole trawl is towed behind a scientific research vessel...
was used to collect plastic pieces, while water samples were collected from the upper 200 meters of the ocean. At the other 15 stations, only the surface waters were sampled. This study will allow researchers to begin to determine whether biofilms are forming on the plastic particles, whether the microbes living on the particles are different than the free-living planktonic organisms, and what effect these communities might have on the oceanic carbon cycle
Carbon cycle
The carbon cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth...
and nitrogen cycle
Nitrogen cycle
The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms. This transformation can be carried out by both biological and non-biological processes. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification...
.