LOTS of Animals!!
This morning started off bright and early with a ring net tow and and CTD cast. Because it happened right after breakfast, the Night Watch handled all of the operations. However, when it came time to “pick” the animals, we all got to help! You may recall that when you bring the ring net up from the water, the sample is in the codend. The sample is diluted into awaiting glass jars that have some seawater in them. This allows the animals space to swim around and increases the time they can stay alive. The cooler of jars is brought into the lab and we “pick” through the samples for the organisms we need.
Ms. Rose Picking krill from the net two sample
Today, I got to help pick krill. The sample was emptied into a plastic dishpan and I used a plastic spoon to scoop out all of the krill that I spotted. The krill will be used in genetic experiments- DNA/RNA. Celia and Donna picked copepods and separated them into three containers, males, females and C5's ( a juvenile stage). We also found some other interesting animals. Naked pteropods – their name comes from the Greek words meaning “winged foot”...Celia says they look like angels when they swim. We found some shrimp, a polychaete and a few fishes.
Pteropods - gastropods with a modified foot
A shrimp - probably a tiger shrimp - see the stripes?
A polychaete - a marine annelid
Joel identified two fish - a prickleback and a sand lance
As always, the animals that will be used in experiments are photographed and cataloged.
Dr. Ashjian photographing and cataloging krill
We also saw our first ice - it looked like a long winding ribbon. Dr. Ashjian explained that the ice gets caught in an area of convergence which allows it to form that nice line.
The Healy in our first sea ice!
Today, I will be spotlighting another member of our science team, Steve Okkonen from the University of Alaska. Dr. Okkonen is a Physical oceanographer. He has a B.S. Environmental Engineering and a Ph.D. Physical Oceanography. The thing that he enjoys the most about his job is that he gets to learn about things that are not in his field (physical oceanography). So, he is on the Science team for this mission with phytoplankton, zooplankton and bacteria experts! One way to think of an ocean ecosystem is as a puzzle; and he gets to try to figure out how the ecosystem works (try to solve the puzzle).
Dr. Okkonen is our Physical Oceanographer and Co-Chief Scientist
When I asked Dr. Okkonen what advice he would give someone who may be interested in his career field he replied, “Take as many math, science, and language arts classes as you can. While you might expect that math and science are important, it is also important to be able to communicate with other scientists and non-scientists. So, take classes in public speaking and writing.”
Dr. Okkonen also said that as a scientist, he relies on lots of other people to help him do his job. For example, office technicians help prepare science proposals (plans) and keep track of project budgets; science technicians maintain and repair the science equipment that he uses to collect samples; while at sea, the ship's crew keep the boat running and help collect samples in a safe manner, the ship's cook provides the food (energy) that enables him to do his job.
New Vocabulary
pteropod: – small marine gastropod with a modified foot to form a pair of winglike flaps
polychaete: – a class of annelid worms, usually marine with segmented bodies, each segment contains a pair of parapodia that bear many bristles
Question of the Day
Explain the word convergence, relate it to plate tectonics. Cite your resources!
Stay tuned as we continue our exciting voyage on the USCG Cutter Healy! Until then...
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Mohandas Gandhi