This multidisciplinary cruise led by Drs. Scott Wankel and Anna Michel of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution utilized novel instruments and techniques to better understand the processes responsible for the transfer of methane from the seafloor: first into the ocean waters, and in some circumstances possibly into the shallow ocean and overlying atmosphere. During the 2018 “Hunting Bubbles” cruise, ROV SuBastian was outfitted with a range of newly developed instruments, including a high-resolution, high-speed, deep-sea stereo camera system and an innovative in situ mass spectrometer (ISMS) that measures gas concentrations. The ISMS was coupled to a discrete bubble capture system to examine bubbles while underwater at various depths. The ISMS was also used in concert with laser spectrometers for isotopic analyses. Outcomes of this technology-based expedition will span the fields of chemistry, physics, and biology; increase our understanding of the influence of the deep sea on the Earth’s climate; and support technological innovation in deep-sea research.

ROV SuBastian Dive 135 – Astoria Canyon – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/25/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Astoria Canyon (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: 500 meters depth.
Work Completed: Chemical sampling.

ROV SuBastian Dive 137 – Astoria Canyon – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/26/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Astoria Canyon (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to ~520 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Astoria Canyon. Sampling activities include collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles also were imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken, and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna collected via bio-boxes.

ROV SuBastian Dive 138 – Astoria Canyon – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/27/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Astoria Canyon (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 500 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Astoria Canyon. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 139 – Astoria Canyon – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/28/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Astoria Canyon (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 870 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Astoria Canyon. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 140 –  Nehalem Bank – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/29/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Nehalem Bank (South of Astoria Canyon, approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 200 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Nehalem Bank. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 142 –  Nehalem Bank – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/30/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Nehalem Bank (South of Astoria Canyon, approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 188 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Nehalem Bank. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 143 –  McArthur Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/30/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 830 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the McArthur Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 144 –  McArthur Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 08/31/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 830 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the McArthur Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 145 –  McArthur Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/01/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 835 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the McArthur Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 146 –  McArthur Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/01/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: 830 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the McArthur Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 147 –  McArthur Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/02/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: 830 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the McArthur Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 148 –  McArthur Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/02/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: 830 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the McArthur Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 149 –  McArthur Promontory – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/03/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Promontory (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 830 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the McArthur Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 150 –  Hydrate Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/04/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Hydrate Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 780 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Hydrate Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 151 –  Hydrate Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/05/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Hydrate Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 800 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Hydrate Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 152 –  Hydrate Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/06/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Hydrate Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 800 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Hydrate Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken, and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler were used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 153 –  Hydrate Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/07/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Hydrate Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 800 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Hydrate Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 154 –  Hydrate Ridge – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/08/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – Hydrate Ridge (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 490 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling and analyzing seawater directly associated with the most active bubble plume sites in the Hydrate Ridge. Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were also collected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler was used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 155 – NW Heceta Bank – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/09/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – NW Heceta Bank (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 490 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken, and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were alsocollected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler were used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 156 – NW Heceta Bank – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/09/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – NW Heceta Bank (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: 115 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken, and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were alsocollected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler were used for sampling as well.

ROV SuBastian Dive 158 – McArthur Promontory – Hunting Bubbles
Date: 09/15/2018
Location: Pacific Ocean – McArthur Promontory (approximately 10 miles offshore from the mouth of the Columbia River)
Depth: Up to 840 meters depth.
Work Completed: Sampling activities included collection of fluids and analysis of methane isotopic composition be laser spectrometer. Bubbles were also imaged using the stereo cameras at varying depths above the seafloor. Sediment push cores were taken, and opportunistic grab samples of mobile macro fauna were alsocollected via bio-boxes. Suction sampler were used for sampling as well.