TELEMAC-3D numerical model results used for plume dispersion experiments during cruise JC142 to Tropic Seamount, Northeast Atlantic, as part of the MarineE-tech project (October-December 2016).

This dataset includes results and input files from the open source TELEMAC-3D numerical model (version 6.3 release 2), used for prediction of currents during plume dispersion experiments on 17-18 November 2016 and 1 December 2016, during RRS James Cook cruise JC142 to Tropic Seamount in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. The November flow model run lasted seven days starting at 00:00am on 14 November 2016, whilst the December flow model run lasted 9 days starting at 00:00am 27 on November 2016. Oceanographic data from this cruise was used as verification data for the numerical model runs. These data were used to test hypotheses for the dispersal of sediment plumes that may arise during any future crust extraction for industrial purposes. The impact of these plumes on sessile fauna are of particular concern for the protection of seamount ecosystems and the prospect of ecologically sustainable deep-sea mining. These data were collected as part of the MarineE-tech project, one of four consortium projects of the NERC SoS Minerals research programme. The work was undertaken by scientists at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, HR Wallingford, and the University of Sao Paolo, Brazil.