Journal Entry
Checking Equipment

While we have been transiting, each science team has been checking and setting up its equipment in preparation for the first station. The bird and marine mammal teams have also been keeping watch. While it may seem like a lot of down time during the transit, it has actually been quite busy. In addition to microscopes, screens and nets, a range of probes and other specialized devices will be used during the science stations.

The box corer will be used to collect samples of sediments. This large piece of equipment is lowered into the sediment, and then a flat "shovel" scoops and closes the bottom to collect the sample. These samples will be divided and analyzed for both physical characteristics such as partical size and composition as well as organisms.

Box corer.The box corer is being raised after collecting a sediment sample.

The unmanned ROV will be deployed to provide a visual of life below the surface as well as to collect samples of organisms and bring them back to the ship for analysis.

Unmanned ROVThe unmanned ROV will help scientists see organisms in the environment.

Microscopes are set up and ready for whatever may be collected, and the multiple types of nets are ready to be deployed. A test run of the box corer, CTD, and bongo nets is scheduled for today so the scientists on board Healy will know that the equipment they plan to use is prepared.

Bongo nets.The bongo nets will collect plankton when deployed.

Water passes through the net, and organisms are funneled into collecting containers. A meter at the top of the net measures water flow; i.e. liters, so population estimates may be made. Here is a look at today's collection during the test run.

Bongo nets.Today's test collection.

The CTD collects conductivity, temperature, and depth data, and water samples may also be collected. You can see the collection bottles as the CTD is lowered over the side of the ship. The collected water is divided among those research teams needing water samples.

CTDThe CTD is lowered over the side of the ship.

Q and A

Will the box corer sample pelagic or benthic organisms?

Answer from last Q: Glacier-fed waters have a milky appearance because of the silt and particulates that are carried into the water.

Comments

Fri, 07/08/2016 - 07:53

Sandra Thornton

Hi Janet. We are all excited for deployment of the ROV! That won't likely happen for at least a couple of days, but the group is planning to do another test run of the box corer and a CTD on Friday. It is exciting to see ice out of the porthole! Sandi

Sat, 07/09/2016 - 20:09

Cara Pekarcik

Wow Sandy - there are lots of different sampling efforts onboard this research trip. How many stations will you be heading to when you get to your destination?

Sun, 07/10/2016 - 08:21

Sandra Thornton

Cara - Yes, there will be lots of sampling. It has taken us until today to get to our first station (some test stations have been conducted during the transit). We will do multiple types of work at each station, but transit time between stations (determining time on station) also influences what will be done at each station. The ice is quite heavy right now, and that slows down travel time.

Fri, 07/08/2016 - 07:19

Janet Warburton

Hi Sandi!It's fun reading your journals. Looks like you are all busy right away. I was sorry that I wasn't in town to see you when you came through Anchorage. Will you be posting updates on what the ROV saw?
Janet