MAP (Marine Aerosol Production)

Regular updates from the Celtic Explorer

The MAP scientists sustained 30 m/s wind speeds and 10m high waves this morning, conditions which are ideal for flux measurements. The intense storm peaked in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Some instruments were taken out by a freak wave, but measurements were taken in conditions of up to 30 m/s wind speeds.

The current situation is they have to wait until the waves subside until they can gain access to the foredeck and make a full assessment of the storm damage. The storm force measurements are reported to have been very successful. Pictures of the high seas to follow…

The Explorer will make a port call in Killybegs on Friday Monday and will sail again for the 2nd half of the survey on Saturday morning.

Main points to date: low photochemical activity due to cloud cover, but excellent bubble-bursting experiments will large amounts of organic matter produced in primary aerosol production.

As the sub-tropical moved more North, the Celtic Explorer also relocated to 55 N 10 W to map out the plankton bloom and to remain in clean air conditions.

Most instruments and experiments are working well and gathering good data. The vessel will remain in this general region for the next few days to maximise the exposure to clean marine air and high biological activity.

(11/06/06) - Celtic Explorer begins MAP survey - After seven days of mobilising the Celtic Explorer left Cobh at 2.30 pm today.