Setting up the Lab
Dr. Marsh and his team usually work in Lewes, Delaware. There they have all of their equipment set up for their work. On a normal day, you would find Dr. Marsh, Stephanie and Annamarie working hard here.
This is Dr. Marsh's lab in Lewes, Delaware.
However, during an Antarctic expedition, they need to bring some of their equipment to conduct research in the field. So, they carefully packaged up some of their equipment for transport to the ice.
When we arrived, the lab that we had in Crary was basically empty. The first task was unboxing and setting up all the equipment that we brought with us. Crary also has a lot of equipment that we can utilize while we're here on loan. So, we've been working with the fabulous Crary staff to organize the lab, work stations, and chemicals.
The beginning of setting up the lab.
We have four very nice and large work benches.
We brought two of these devices from Lewes. We'll learn more about what they do once we have some worms to study.
Besides our lab space, there's another area of the lab that you will see in greater detail in future journals and that is the Aquarium. The Aquarium is a wet-lab that received seawater from McMurdo Sound. This is (hopefully) where we will house the worms that we collect. They will enjoy the lovely water (28˚F).
The Crary Aquarium, where we will hopefully soon be bringing some worms.
Lab Safety
We've also spent a lot of time addressing trainings and discussions on lab safety. It is very interesting to me, because I know that in one short week my students at Millsboro Middle School will be practicing their lab safety skills. Here I am at a world-class research lab in Antarctica and I am doing the very same thing.
In fact, almost all of the lab safety equipment here is very similar to the lab safety equipment we use in Delaware. Why do you lab safety equipment would look the same everywhere?
Within the lab, we have a safety shower and an eyewash station. What do you think these are used for?
This safety shower looks very similar to the one in my classroom back in Delaware.
An eyewash station. One of many all around the lab.
Spills are a serious problem in Antarctica outside, like from vehicles, but are also taken seriously inside the lab. In many classrooms, the first rule of a spill is to notify the teacher. That happens here too. We notify the Crary Lab supervisor and then we work to handle it appropriately. That might mean using the spill cart. I was amazed at how prepared they are. That spill cart is fully stocked and ready for action.
Spills in a lab setting must be handled properly, whether it's in the classroom or in Antarctica.
I know there are some lab safety experts reading this journal, so I'll pose this last photo as a challenge. How many pieces of safety equipment can you identify in this photo? I've started a forum discussion to hear your answers. Just click here.
I see four or five pieces of safety equipment in this photo? Do you?
Another really important part of working in a big lab, like Crary, is that chemicals are sorted and labeled. Usually, this is based on their chemical properties. One important chemical property to sort by is flammability. Here in Crary, all flammable chemicals are sorted into a cabinet and it is clearly labeled. Why do you think we would put all the flammables in one place? Who would want to know where the flammables are located?
Any materials that are flammable are stored in a cabinet like this.
MSDS
Another feature that I recognize from our classroom back in Delaware are Material Safety Data Sheets. These are documents that contain all of the hazards (dangers) of chemicals and directions for how to handle them safely. MSDS also provide directions on how to treat injuries or accidents that occur with the chemicals. Another important feature of a MSDS is that they are standardized. That means that they are setup the same everywhere. Even though I work in Delaware, I can easily read the MSDS and so can all the scientists from all over the US and the world.
Why do you think it's important for scientists, like Stephanie, to know about MSDS?
In Crary, they are kept in two places that everyone knows. Why do you think MSDS are important? Who would use them?
PPE
PPE, or Personal Protective Equipment, should be familiar to everyone. I know that in our lab we always wear PPE that is appropriate for the job we are doing. In lab for our expedition, that will usually mean safety goggles.
Stephanie and Annamarie know safety is no joke. Safety goggles are a must for anyone working in the lab.
Theodore knows it's always safety first in the lab.
In addition to protective eyewear, we also have access to laboratory coats and lab gloves.
Summary
Just as you've probably done in your classroom, we've done several lab safety trainings here in Crary Lab. Down here, it is definitely not safety third, but rather safety first!