Japanese cruise KH-11-07 sails in Western North Pacific Ocean

The Japanese R/V Hakuho Maru is sailing in Western North Pacific Ocean (16 July – 4 August 2011) to undertake the project “Marine biogeochemical studies and behavior of trace elements and isotopes in the Western North Pacific”.

As a consequence of the 11 March earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese GEOTRACES Committee has decided to modify the initial planned cruise in order that it can serve to collect information to assess the impact and risks associated to the earthquake source regions. The cruise will undertake part of the GP18 section, including studies focusing on cold seep biogeochemistry and earthquake mechanisms/radionuclide impact studies of NE Japan and Fukushima area.

PI: Dr. Zhang, University of Toyama.