The Butterfly survey showed the region to be of relatively constant xCO2sw values at about 490-510 ppmv. There were some higher xCO2 values to the south associated with a small positive seasurface height anomaly. We started the process study by immediately deploying the ASIS spar buoy. Calvin Mordy is seeing a draw down of nitrate and silica relative to phosphate at the top of the nutricline, or at about 60m, suggesting nitrate to phosphate ratios much lower than Redfield ratios at this depth. This is the general region of the chlorophyll maximum.
Nutrients remain high in surface waters.
DIC and pCO2 concentrations also vary significantly at this depth. The platform assembly is staying on our desired track line thus far. Daily Argos transmissions show the ASIS is taking measurements continuously and that the quality of the data is good. During a majority of the time, the RHB holds station down wind of the ASIS buoy train. This strategy is providing a high data rate of ship fluxes.