Bongo Net and Ring Nets!!
Today, we continued unpacking and organizing the lab. I had the opportunity to work with Celia and Kristina to assemble the bongo net and ring nets. These are pieces of equipment that we will use to catch copepods and other zooplankton. The bongo net is a piece of equipment that has a black figure 8 shaped metal frame. Each circle holds a net. We are going to use 2 different sized nets; one is 150 micrometers mesh and the other is 53 micrometer mesh. This mesh is very fine – so fine you can't “see” holes in it. In order to collect samples during this cruise, the net will more than likely be towed vertically. In open water, we may tow it horizontally as well. My job was to put the net over the metal frame and fasten it down with a hose clamp. I did that for each net.
Bongo net
I also helped prepare the ring nets...these are much larger than the bongo net. For these I had to tie knots around the perimeter of the metal ring to attach the net to the frame. We used a 250 micrometer mesh net for these. This mesh is larger because the zooplankton that is caught will be used in the live experiments. It is less traumatic for the copepods to go through the larger mesh so they are much healthier and will live longer. These nets can also be towed horizontally or vertically.
Ring net
I had my first meals on the HEALY today. I will dedicate one entire journal to food! I'll just give you a preview...for Breakfast, I had a made to order omelet with hashbrowns, bacon,orange juice and hot tea. For lunch, I had tomato soup, a hot dog with onions and cheese, green beans, a salad and a sliver of brownie. So far the food has been very good!
I spent some time today figuring out the Science net here on the Healy and learning how to transfer, save and upload files for my PolarTREC journals. I also had time to catch up on some journal writing! After lunch, went for a shopping and grocery run – for whatever we may have forgotten. I took the opportunity to get some more great shots of the harbor and the Healy!
The sun is shining in Seward!
The Healy on this gorgeous winter day!
Question of the Day
Summarize the difference between the types of nets discussed in this journal. Find another type of net used to sample zooplankton. Describe it and cite your resource!
Stayed tuned to this journal as we make final preparations of the departure of the USCG Cutter Healy!! Until then...
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever” Mohandas Gandhi