Mesopelagic fish collected during 3 field campaigns in 2020 were analysed for their lipid content. The sampling was conducted on 5 main locations; 2 stations in the Western Mediterranean Sea (September/October), 4 stations in the North Atlantic off the Iberian Peninsula (October), 4 stations in the Irminger Sea (July), 5 stations in the Iceland Basin (July) and 4 stations in the Northern Norwegian Sea (May). The fish were collected at distinct depth intervals, with different trawl types depending on the vessel. The database consists of 28 mesopelagic fish species belonging to 9 families and 5 genera. For each record, length and wet weight of the fish analysed is recorded with the wax ester (WE), triacylglycerol (TAG) and phospholipid (PL) values as % of total lipids (TL). Each data record is associated with information on the sampling location, geographic coordinates, month and year of sample collection, sampling gear and depth, taxonomic ranks (phylum, class, order, family), and number and replicates analysed. The lipids were extracted following Folch's extraction method (Folch et al. 1957), which was implemented on whole fish or a weighted sub-sample of a homogenized whole fish. Individual lipid classes were separated by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). A lipid sample was spotted onto silica-coated quartz rods, (chromarods; SES GmbH) and the lipid classes separated by development in two solvent systems: hexane/diethyl ether/acetic acid (60:17:0.2, by volume) followed by hexane/diethyl ether (96:4 vol/vol). The analysis was performed using an Iatroscan MK 5 TLC-FID analyser.
The main purpose of the cruise SO75 from 14th October to 12th November 1991 was to test the new instrumentation of the SONNE and the ship itself for the needs of marine geophysics. The second purpose was the investigation of the crustal structure of the Atlantic Ocean from the Madeira-Torre Rise to the continental slope of Portugal which is conjugate to the margin off Newfoundland being investigated by a previous BGR cruise (Hinz et al., 1989). Methods used were multichannel reflection seismics, gravimetry, magnetics, swath echosounding and sediment echography. The test of the ship and its result is discussed in a separate technical report (Roeser et al., 1991). On two lines crossing the Madeira-Torre Rise we have observed seaward dipping reflector sequences. Their position is conjugate to similar features observed off Newfoundland. Magnetic models for one line show a strong magnetization of the whole reflector sequence. Thus, in analogy to the drilled dipping reflector sequence on the Vøring Plateau, it is likely that it mainly consists of lava flows which were extruded subaerially or in shallow water. In contrast to the dipping reflector sequences found earlier, the newly detected sequences are far away from continental crust. Presumably, at the time of their formation the Midatlantic Ridge was subaerial. Geometrical constraints indicate a compressional regime for the eastern part of the Azores-Gibraltar Fracture Zone. Most prominent expression of this is the Gorringe Bank. Our seismic line across it indicates an overthrusting of oceanic crust, however, it does not show any evidence for a Benioff zone. Therefore, only a small amount of oceanic crust can be subducted until now. We have observed compressional features also in the Tagus Abyssal Plain. Our lines north of the Azores-Gibraltar Fracture Zone did not confirm the weak indications for a continuation of the magnetic anomaly M0 across the fracture zone. The present platetectonic models for this area require therefore a modification. For the definition of the ocean-continent transition in the Iberia Abyssal Plain and for the investigation of the nature of the crust near the transition zone 6 ODP drillsites have been proposed. In response to a request by R.B. Whitmarsh from the Institute of Oceanographic Sciences at Wormley, Godalming, we have carried out the required ODP Site Survey.