A scientific expedition led by the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) will mark four decades of cutting-edge science at one of the world’s deep ocean scientific research sites this summer.

Setting sail today (May 30), from Southampton, onboard the Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Cook, this intensive, 25-day expedition will focus on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain Sustained Observatory (PAP-SO), 800 km from Land’s End in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

Long-Term Observations

Started in 1985, at 4,850 m depth, the PAP-SO is the world’s longest running time series of life on an abyssal plain. This site is one of the world’s longest deep-ocean observatories of critical ocean data, from seabed to the surface.

New Technologies

This year’s expedition (JC278), funded by the UK National Environment Research Council (NERC) through the AtlantiS program, will test new, autonomous technologies alongside established observational methods. These advancements will enhance multidisciplinary observations at the site, providing insights into long-term changes in the deep ocean.

New autonomous technologies being tested include sensors and sampling technologies for autonomous observation, developed as part of the GEORGE project. The deployment of underwater autonomous robots and an uncrewed surface vessel will pave the way for new frontiers in ocean science.

Listening to the Deep

Hydrophones will be deployed for the first time at the PAP-SO and Whittard Canyon, allowing scientists to listen to the deep ocean for a full year. The captured sounds could provide valuable insights into marine life and geological processes.

Exploring the Unknown

The expedition will also recover and replace a time-lapse camera system on the seafloor, capturing images of deep-sea creatures. A specialized camera system will be used to identify single-cell organisms in real-time, utilizing artificial intelligence.

Additionally, a Met Office monitoring buoy will be replaced to support weather forecasting and ocean monitoring at the site.

Advancing Ocean Science

The team will conduct routine work, deploying scientific instrumentation to collect water and sediment samples, physical and chemical sensors, and ecological observations. Testing new technologies and extending the crucial time series will contribute to ongoing ocean research.