Summer 2017 LDEO/Queens College Sediment Sampling Cruise

Late August 2017 a group of scientists and students from Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University and Queens College of City University New York collected sediment grab samples along the northern shore of the Long Island Sound study area. The focus of this sampling survey were shallow water and embayment areas along the northern shore of the Long Island Sound and, therefore, we used the shallow draft RV Pritchard from Stony Brook University for this work.

Stony Brook University's Research Vessel Pritchard used for sediment sampling in 2017 and 2018
Figure 1. Stony Brook University’s Research Vessel Pritchard used for sediment sampling in 2017 and 2018

The sediment samples were collected using a modified van Veen grab (Figure 2) and several subsamples were a taken from the top two centimeters of the grab sample for further analysis in the lab to determine grain size, organic and metal content.

Professor McHugh is taking a sediment sample from the van Veen sediment grab
Figure 2. Professor McHugh is taking a sediment sample from the van Veen sediment grab

In addition, a GoPro camera system was attached to the grab sampler to provide a visual confirmation of the sample area (Figure 3).

Bottom image of camera system installed on sediment grab showing a gravelly, sandy bottom with some vegetation
Figure 3. Bottom image of camera system installed on sediment grab showing a gravelly, sandy bottom with some vegetation

In total 147 samples were collected as shown in the map of Figure 4.

Map of the study are in North-Eastern Long Island Sound with the sample locations marked as yellow dots. Background water depth is provided by NOAA
Figure 4. Map of the study are in North-Eastern Long Island Sound with the sample locations marked as yellow dots. Background water depth is provided by NOAA

Click here to view a video of the sediment sampling using the van Veen grab.