Aerobic Degradation of particulate Organic Matter and benthic microbial turnover rates reflecting ocean redox conditions off NW Africa (ADOMIS) - Cruise No. MSM48 - November 2 - November 25, 2015 - Ponta Delgada (Portugal) - Las Palmas (Spain) (English)

Research activities carried out during cruise MSM 48 bundled the interests of six research programs that have a strong common need for samples and data from the region off NW Africa and the Madeira Abyssal Plain, which is one of the world's most productive regions due to the presence of year-round upwelling und terrestrial dust input fertilizing the ocean. The water column features nepheloid layers and a strong oxygen minimum zone. The sedimentary system of the Madeira Abyssal Plain is unique as it contains homogenous organic-rich turbiditic sediment layers which upper part have been oxidized resulting in the presence of fossilized oxidation fronts. To study the activity and lipid production of pelagic and benthic microbial communities in different redox and sedimentary environments, investigations on the relationship between upper ocean environmental conditions and the planctonic foraminifera association as well as to what degree aerobic degradation of specific organic dinoflagellate cysts can be used to quantify bottom oxygen concentrations have been carried out. Furthermore, filters were collected from a dust-collecting buoy. This was achieved by combined characterization of the water column and sampling of water and sediments using CTD/Rosette, multinet, multicore, bottom water sampler, in situ pumps and gravity core systems.