AT26-03

Ship

Vehicles

Cruise Party

Departure: Jul 13, 2013

Arrival: Jun 26, 2013

Operations Area

Science Objectives

OCE 1031808 (UCSC) and associated grants support multidisciplinary borehole experiments in oceanic crust, to assess hydrogeologic, solute and colloid transport, biogeochemical, and microbiological processes and properties at multiple spatial and temporal scales (meters to kilometers, minutes to years). These experiments are intended to enhance our understanding of hydrogeologic properties and fluid processes within the volcanic oceanic crust. This work follows completion of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 327, which operated in Summer 2010, and earlier drilling and submersible/ROV expeditions.

The primary work area for Expedition 327, and for Summer 2013 Atlantis/Jason expedition AT25-05, is on 3.5-3.6 Ma seafloor on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Six long-term borehole observatories (CORKs) in a 2.5 square kilometer area are separated by distances of 40 to 2460 m, five aligned along a trend of N20E (Holes 1026B, 1301A, 1301B, 1362A, 1362B) and one located 2.2 km to the east (Hole 1027C). All of these holes were drilled, cased, cored, and tested, then instrumented with CORKs using the drillship JOIDES Resolution. Secondary objectives may include: downloading data from additional CORK systems located at Sites 1024 and 1025 (located 30-40 nmi west of main work site), testing a Alvin/Jason heat flow probe insertion frame, and/or mapping/sampling at nearby Mama Bare, Papa Bare, or Zona Bare outcrops (within 10 nmi of primary work site).

The primary network of instrumented (CORK) sites allows continuous monitoring of pressure and temperature at depth, sampling of fluids and microbiological material, and measurement of fluid flow rate using autonomous instrumentation. These CORK systems require servicing with a submersible or ROV to download data, recover samples, manipulate valves, and replace a variety of experimental systems. This is a primary goal of the Summer 2013 expedition with the ROV Jason II and the R/V Atlantis. We will also recover a flow meter currently installed on one of the CORK observatories, and close a large-diameter ball valve, shutting off the discharge of hydrothermal fluid that was initiated in Summer 2011. Data from this flowmeter will be downloaded, and the instrument will be redeployed on another wellhead (or replaced with a second instrument), and a large-diameter ball valve on that wellhead will be opened, initiating flow from the CORK. These free flow experiments create pressure perturbations at surrounding CORKs, and also provide fluid and microbiological sampling opportunities. By monitoring the formation pressure response at the different observatories, located at different distances, depths, and directions from the CORK that will be allowed to discharge fluid, researchers will be able to assess the nature of crustal hydrologic properties. Wellhead instruments deployed during previous expeditions (fluid samplers, microbial growth incubators) will be recovered and replaced. A GeoMicrobiology sampling sled deployed on one wellhead will be recovered, and additional (active) fluid sampling will occur at various wellheads. Finally, we plan to recover one downhole instrument system in Hole 1301A, using a winch and floatation system or pulling with Jason or Madea, then sealing this CORK with a plug.

Science Activities

Primary goals for the Summer 2013 JdF Flank expedition AT25-05 are to service of network of six subseafloor observatories (CORKs), collect fluid andmicrobiological samples, recover and deploy autnonomous instruments, and run cross-hole hydrogeologic, geochemical, and microbiological experiments. Because of the close spacing between the primary CORK systems, it should be possible to combine operations at multiple wellheads during a single Jason dive, but this will depend on payload, electrical connection, elevator and other operational requirements.

Active pressure measurement and logging systems are currently installed in six primary CORKs; 1026B, 1027C, 1301A, 1301B, 1362A, 1362B. Data from Hole 1026B are being downloaded automatically using the Neptune Canada cable network. Data from the other CORKs will be downloaded with Jason. All of these downloads will be accomplished using the same ODI underwater mateable connector. Pressure download operations will include manipulation of valves to check the hydrostatic pressure offset and evaluate potential gauge drift. Most of the data loggers to be downloaded are installed vertically on the CORK wellhead. The CORK in Hole 1027C was retrofitted in Summer 2011 with a modern data logger system currently located on the ROV platform around the wellhead.

An autonomous flowmeter system was deployed in Summer 2011 on the top of a ball valve in the wellhead the CORK in Hole 1362B. This flowmeter uses an electro-magnetic induction sensor to determine the rate of fluid outflow from the CORK over time, with measurements made every 60 minutes. This flowmeter is held in place with a rotating clamp built onto the top of the ball valve. Opening that valve started a long-term flow experiment, with overpressured formation fluids discharging at an estimated rate of 5–10 L/s, and pressure monitoring is ongoing in this hole and in nearby CORKs to determine the nature of the cross-hole response. A vertical PVC pipe with a diameter of 4 inches extends upward from the flowmeter sensor by about 1 m. Four autonomous thermal loggers are installed along the length of this pipe, to provide an independent estimate of the upward fluid flow rate (using heat as a tracer). In addition, this pipe is providing fluid and microbiological sampling opportunities, with inlets to samplers "hung" over the top of the pipe, allowing fluids to be sampled during discharge from the hole. We plan to recover this flowmeter and download associated data. We will either redeploy this instrument on the CORK in Hole 1362A, or deploy a newer version of the flowmeter that includes optical communication capabilities.

OsmoSampler systems are currently installed on wellheads in five holes (all except Hole 1027C). OsmoSampler systems include Teflon coils, copper coils, and microbiological FLOCS incubation chambers. Existing systems will be recovered and new systems will be installed. The OsmoSamplers installed on the CORK in Hole 1362A will draw fluids from the discharge from the flowmeter system, rather than from lines on the wellhead.

Borehole fluid samples will be collected from wellheads using a variety of techniques. Active pumping systems use mechanical and hydraulic pumps and will be deployed and recovered on a short-term basis. These systems can be used to draw fluids from valves and fittings on CORK wellheads, and to sample from flow discharging from the flowmeter. NOTE: when actively sampling from CORK wellhead fittings using a mechanical/hydraulic pump system, we may need to close OsmoSampler and/or pressure monitoring valves so that we don't damage associated instruments.

A Geomicrobiology sampling and analytical sled deployed on Hole 1362B during Summer 2011 will be recovered and will not be redeployed during this expedition. We will also recover a downhole instrument string in Hole 1301A, deployed in 2009. This will require attaching a recovery tool to the metal plug in the top of the CORK wellhead, and pulling upward with either a shipboard winch system or (preferably), using Jasin or Madea to pul upward as needed to overcome seal friction between the plug and the wellhead. The downhole string is approx. 275 m long, weighs ~400 lbs in air, and has multiple weights and sample assemblies distributed along its length We may bring to sea an Alvin-style heat flow probe (66 cm in length) and a prototype insertion frame that helps to keep the probe vertical during penetration. We may wish to use this tool near one of the CORK wellheads, during a dive of opportunity, or possibly at one of the secondary field sites to be explored if all primary CORK work is completed and time remains available during the expedition. We may also wish to download pressure data from another CORK system located to the west, at Sites 1024 or 1025, or to survey nearby basement outcrops that are known sites of hydrothermal discharge. .

Additional Info

Stations:

Supporting documentation:

Shipboard Equipment

Shipboard Communication

CTD/Water Sampling

Critical CTD Sensors

Sample Storage

Navigation

Navigation

Winches

Wire use and application

Standard Oceanographic Cables

Portable Vans

Specialized Deck Equipment

Over the Side Equipment

Special Requirements

Additional Cruise Items/Activities

Hazardous Material

Radioactive Material

Additional Information

Site Survey

Navigation

Elevators

Cameras & Video

Science Supplied Equipment

I'm attaching a PDF document with the upload tool below that itemizes tools to be deployed and manipulated with Jason. These tools include:

(a) Instruments for pressure monitoring of subseafloor observatories

(b) Electromagnetic flowmeter for use on wellhead experiments

(c) Heat flow insertion frame

(d) Fluid/mbio sampling systems from UH

Checklist

Master R/V Atlantis
Attn: Scientist's Name - AT26-03
c/o Vasile Tudoran Transport
819 Ohio Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90804

Contact: Vasile Tudoran
Phone: (562) 882-5590
Fax: (562) 434-9800
Email: vtudoran@aol.com


**NOTE:  All packages and shipments should be sent to the following address with shipping notification sent to WHOI contacts, Ship's Agent and Esther Jones, contact information below:

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Master R/V Ship Name
Attn: Scientist's Name
c/o Port of Astoria
#10 Pier One
Suite 308
Astoria, OR   97103


Note: Agent and WHOI contacts should be copied on all communications.  It is requested that shipment information of any equipment be communicated to the Agent and WHOI contacts

Checklist