I started the day photographing some net tows in anticipation of learning about the mesozooplankton (copepods, krill, etc) grazing experiments being conducted by a team of scientists on the ship. I stayed out on deck for quite a while to observe, as various plankton was being collected along with some bottom grabs of mud. It […]
As we made our way through water sampling stations, we all anticipated the approaching ice edge. We were heading north so it was just a matter of time and we all hoped that we would come to it during the day. The day was cold and started out calm and cloudy but by midday the […]
I have spent the past two days learning about the multi-core, a state of the art benthic (sea floor) sampling device. The multi-core is unique in its ability to preserve the sediment water interface while sampling. This is a critical zone for the exchange solutes between the bottom and the water. Nutrients, dissolved gases, and […]
We are still in open water working at a deep station. The weather is beautiful with calm seas and bright sunshine. Yesterday some of the scientists deployed a floating sediment trap that drifts in the sea for about 24 hours until they go and retrieve it. After completing the multi-cores, we head off to find […]
One of the scientists on board is conducting a “webinar” on May 1 at 2:45 EDT for anyone who is interested in hearing and seeing more about the science being conducted on the cruise. Here is some more of the information about the event. Emily Davenport, a member of the Multi-core team, is coordinating it. […]
We spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening transiting to our next station where we arrived around midnight. It is a deep station in about 3500 meters of water so all of the sampling times are long as the instruments make their way through the water column. Sampling has continued into the morning with two […]
I decided to go to sleep last night for a little bit and wake up at 0530 for a net tow at 0600. Science happens around the clock on a research ship. Most scientists work in shifts, one group taking the night shift while the other takes the day shift, noon to midnight or midnight […]
The weather lifted a bit and the helicopter was able to start the transfer process from the ship. We eagerly awaited its arrival and hoped that the weather would hold long enough for all of us to get out. The helo holds three passengers with some cargo so we had to make three passenger trips […]
We woke up to snow and wind this morning which makes the transfer via helicopter questionable. We will try to raise the ship via radio and see what today will bring. Patience is important. Our scheduled transfer is to begin at 0900.
The wind is howling and the fog is thick so 0900 comes and goes […]
Because of the unpredictable weather in St Paul, we had to leave an extra day to ensure our arrival in St Paul on time to meet the ship on Sunday so we have today to explore the island. St Paul is a birders mecca in the summer when there are nesting birds and fur seals […]