Dr. Cameron McIntyre processes water samples collected during the CTD tow-yo through the gas chromatograph to search for the presence of dissolved methane.

Dr. Cameron McIntyre processes water samples collected during the CTD tow-yo through the gas chromatograph to search for the presence of dissolved methane. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, MCR Expedition 2011. Download larger version (jpg, 451 KB).

The Fourth ROV Dive of the Expedition was Completed Successfully Today...
August 7, 2011

The fourth ROV dive of the expedition was completed successfully today and focused on taking a close-look at the biology and other “hot spots” of the Von Damm hydrothermal field. Incredible images of the vents and animals living at the sites were captured by the cameras on the ROV. CTD tow-yo operations were conducted in the evening following completion of the ROV dive to search for hydrothermal vent plumes in the water column. Little evidence of a plume was shown in the in situ sensor data on the CTD, however analysis of water samples through the gas chromatograph revealed an elevated presence of methane, which persists for more than 3km from the vent site.