USGS CMG I-4-90-AT Metadata

To measure the physical, chemical and geological properties in the
water column and seabed within the Amazon zone, that region extending from the
mouth of the river across the shelf where there are strong gradients in
salinity.

CTD casts for suspended solids and analyzed for chemical species, pictures of 
flocculants within the water column, hourly profiles, samples, currents as a 
function of depth, temperature, salinity.

Between the mouth of the Para River and anchor station 1, 5 CTD
stations were occupied. Anchor station 1 was occupied between 1800 on 10 March
and 1215 on 11 March. CTD casts were obtained once per hour, accompanied by 10
liter water samples at various depths. These samples were filtered for suspended
solids and analyzed for chemical species. A plankton camera was attached to the
CTD to take pictures ofthe flocculants within the water column. Hourly profiles
were obtained with the Gafanhoto profiler. 8 box cores were obtained during the
anchor station. A 600 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler was operated
continuously during the anchor stations and throughout the cruise, providing a
continous record of that currents as a function of depth under the ship. During
a portion of the anchor station a S4 electromagnetic current meter was deployed
to measure currents, temperature and salinity. 9 CTD casts were conducted
between anchor station 1 and the site of GEOPROBE. Attempts to recover GEOPROBE
were abandoned because of rough weather. Anchor station 2 was occupied between
1700 on 12 March and 1900 on 13 March during which hourly CTD and gafanhoto
casts were performed. Continous profiles with the S4 current meter were also
performed. 2 box cores were also taken at the end of the station. After anchor
station 2, the ship transited to mooring site M-2 to verify the moored equipment
was intact then returned to site of GEOPROBE to attempt recovery. The recovery
attempt was unsuccessful. Anchor statin 3 offshore of Rio Cunani was conducted
between 0143 on 15 March to 0315 on 16 March. Anchor station 4, also offshore of
Rio Cunani was occupied on 18 March at 1800 until 19 March at 1300. During this
anchor station coastal sampling was conducted by UFPA and US scientists. The
same set of measurements were made at stations 3 and 4 as at station 2. 7 CTD
cast were obtained enroute to anchor station 5. Anchor station 5 was occupied at
1100 on 18 March to 1300 on 19 March. Same measurments were taken as at other
anchor stations. A survey including 24 CTD casts extended from anchor station 5
to the 60 m isobath to anchor station 6. Anchor station 6 was performed at the
river mouth, 12 m water depth, with same measurements taken as other anchor
stations plus the addition of 6 box cores. Anchor station 7 reoccupied the site
of anchor station 1. Between 0700 and 1930 on 21 March profile measurments and 6
box cores were obtained.

Rine, James M. and Nittrouer, Charles A. 1990. Report on field measurements and 
sampling during AmasSeds Cruise II - CI9002. Marine Sciences Research Center, 
State University of New York, NY. November 1990. 94 p.