MadEx I: cruise background

What is MadEx?

MadEx (Madagascar Experiment) is a research cruise on the UK vessel RRS Discovery to study the ocean south of Madagascar. The ship sails from Durban in South Africa on 26th January and returns there on 21st February. During MadEx scientists onboard will study water flow to the south of Madagascar, and investigate how the currents affect phytoplankton in the area by supplying plant nutrients.

South of Madagascar the currents form eddies, which can be seen in satellite images as they move slowly along. The eddies and are an important part of the ocean's conveyor belt, but little is known about them so far. As well as measuring currents from the ship, the researchers will put out moorings for long-term monitoring of water flow. The information from these observations wil be combined with data from Earth observation satellites.

Click on the images to the right for larger figures with explanation.

Last update: 03 December 2008

Contact: o4s@noc.soton.ac.uk