NEPTUNE@Sea Blog Blog from 16-Sep-10

VPS Returns to Barkley Upper Slope

On 14 September, 2010, we redeployed our Vertical Profiler System (VPS) after its summer holiday at the University of Victoria's Marine Technology Centre in Sidney, BC. During its port call, the VPS was visited by Japanese engineers who replaced its burnt-out winch motor and refurbished the entire VPS apparatus.

The winch is crucial, as it lowers and raises the the VPS instrument float up and down through the water column, allowing scientists to analyze water properties (e.g. oxygen or chlorophyll concentrations, turbidity levels, intensity of sunlight penetration) continuously from the seafloor to the surface.

We dropped the VPS to the seafloor on a wire using the R/V Thompson’s A-frame, then ROPOS dove to connect it to the Barkley Upper slope instrument platform. Everyone on ship watched intently as the float passed its initial test; rising up a few meters above its base and then safely back down into the basket.

Dogfish and Sea Urchins

Dogfish sharks also witnessed the VPS’s return. They might have found it and ROPOS to be too large for prey, but they sure seemed to circle the Bottom Pressure Recorder (BPR). Let’s hope that BPR has tough skin... Further close-up inspection found the BPR intact and in good condition.

The cable linking Barkley Canyon Upper Slope instrument platform to Barkley Canyon Node was also found to be doing well; now hosting a community of fragile pink sea urchins. Individuals of this species commonly appear in live video feeds from the nearby seafloor webcam.

Photo Slideshow