20 July 2008 R/V Wecoma cruise - Estuary North Channel

Today we set out to collect water samples with no particles at a range of salinities in the North Channel of the Estuary. We did the same thing in the South Channel on July 19th. At the same time the R/V Barnes was positioned in the ETM region of the North Channel collecting ETM samples. We spent most of the day moving between stations NC-7, 9, and 11. Most water samples were collected at a middle depth above the influence of ETM particles. We collected water at the following salinities: 2, 6.5, 10, 18, 26, and 31. At one point late in the flood tide a wedge of coastal water with a low oxygen concentration (<4 mg/l) moved into the estuary. We sampled this water (salinity = 31) as did the Barnes from a position down-estuary from our ship. We finished the day by anchoring in our usual spot in the North Channel and casting the CTD hourly through the night.