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DIVE 3522
19 JANUARY
2000

Pilot:
Steve Faluotico
Port Observer:
Craig Cary
Starboard Observer: Liz McCliment


08:13 — Alvin in the water.

08:16 — Alvin cleared to descend.

08:33 — 500 meters.

08:54 — 1,050 meters.

09:29 — Alvin on the bottom; 1,999 meters; 2526X, 1298Y.

09:40 — Arrive at Rebecca’s Roost; 2616X, 1232Y.

09:45 — Surveyed flange with beehive structure on edge. Active venting, flange surrounded by Riftia. Depth = 1,987 meters.

09:53 — High-temperature probe of beehive. Top = 193° – 285° C. Middle = 23° – 50° C. Base = 2° C.

10:00 — Began electrochemistry profile of beehive structure. 96 scans.

10:03 — Sipper power up. Head registered just fine.

10:30 — Some error messages on DLK computer. Called the surface for advice.

10:33 — Sipper 1 fired midway up beehive.

10:35 — Powered down DLK, waited, powered it back up, and after 3 minutes, powered up laptop computer. Everything working fine.

10:36 — Resumed scanning.

11:13 — Pump engaged, Sipper 2 fired outer mid-section of beehive.

11:27 — Pump engaged, Sipper 3 fired 2" above orifice.

11:33 — Pump engaged, Sipper 4 fired at base of structure.

11:42 — Began sampling sulfide. Though manipulator arm was in a good position, the sulfide sample fell from flange. Some pieces recovered.

11:56 — High-temperature survey of resulting large orifice. Gas-tight fired with snorkel in orifice.

12:01 — Placed “Rebecca’s Roost” marker at sampling site.

12:12 — Identified new beehive structure; 2613X, 1231.3Y. Depth = 1,982 meters.

12:21 — High-temperature probe profile of new vase-shaped beehive structure. Top = 66° C, Middle = 80° C. Structure has large base with skinny chimney on top. Active venting.

12:25 — Electrochem. analysis of structure.

12:26 — Pump engaged, Sipper 5 fired at top of structure.

12:27 — Pump engaged, Sipper 6 fired at mid-section of structure.

12:35 — Pump engaged, Sipper 7 fired at base of structure.

12:37 — Attempt sampling of structure. Beehive fell, but some pieces recovered.

12:42 — Begin transit to new site.

12:58 — Triggered aft Niskin off site on way to 2378X, 847Y for coring.

13:17 — Arrived at new site; 2381.9X, 832.9Y. Depth = 1,999.6 meters

13:18 — Surveyed bacterial mat with the high-temperature probe. Surface = 2.5° C, 8" = 95° C. This is a surprising change in temperature in such a shallow depth. Temperature monitored as probe removed from sediment.

13:20 — Surveyed outside bacterial mat with high-temperature probe. Surface = 2° C, 3" = 10° C, 8" = 49° C. Note lower temperature profile outside bacterial mat.

13:22 — Began electrochemistry over bacterial mat. Completed scans to 143. Surface temperature read 20° – 50° C on DLK thermistor.

13:27 — Began taking cores. Core 3 taken first inside bacterial mat, Core 5 taken next in bacterial mat, Core 1 taken third outside mat, and Alvin core 2 taken outside of mat.

13:33 — Pump engaged, Sipper 8 fired over mat. Electrochemistry conducted on same water sample in flow cell.

13:50 — Found area of diffuse flow for Niskin, but too much sediment was stirred up by sub to take water sample.

13:52 — Identified group of large crabs. Attempted to collect one crab with manipulator arm. Collection successful!

13:55 — In transit to find a flange with diffuse flow. Found a great flange at 2371.0X, 822.2Y. Temp = 300° – 301° C.

13:59 — Fired two gas-tight syringes under flange. Excellent video!! Flange is topped with Riftia.

14:12 — Second Niskin fired in shimmering water 2357X, 840Y.

14:15 — Surveyed area for possible flange sample, found none.

14:45 — Still surveying area for flange, or tubeworms surrounded by sediment.

14:50 — Identified area of Riftia with sediment. Alvin core 4 taken, but bad navigation information, so no XY coordinates for sample.

14:55 — Discussion between scientists and pilot regarding best use of remaining bottom time. Decide to look for sulfide structure.

15:15 — On way to look for sulfide, found clam bed. Decided to collect clams with manipulator arm. Collected approximately 15 clams. Navigation still bad, no coordinates.

15:25 — Alvin cleared to surface.