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Spring Plankton and Changing Ice Cover

Hello Simone!

I remember talking to scientists about aging of krill being one of the sticky problems of krill research. Do they truly age backwards? Is that why some of the Healy scientists are looking at krill eyeballs?

You are doing a fabulous job as teacher, researcher, and reported! My students enjoyed your video of getting into a survival suit. I'll bet that is something you will not miss! Dr. Cal, nice camera work ;)

I saw Nancy and David in the background of your photos. I would be curious to hear their insight into how their studies of ocean nutrients and chemistry have changed over the past few years? Have they seen changes since Healy 0107?

warmly, Maggie Prevenas

Sat, 05/16/2009 - 18:32

Simone Welch

Hi again Maggie- Sorry for the delay!  You know how the end of the trip can be a whirlwind!  The krill question is a complex one.  Rodger and Rachel are trying to establish an index for how much lipoprotein indicates a certain age.  Because it is a waste product that builds up as organisms age, the presence of comparative amounts can help establish relative age.  By looking at krill of known ages, as with Alexei's krill, they will be able to establish not just relative age but nearly exact age based on the amount of lipoprotein build up.
 Thank you for all the positive feedback!  The one group that I didn't get a chance to work with exclusively was the "hydro" group.  So I don't have an answer to the Nancy and Dave question, sorry.  Next trip! :) 

Fri, 11/06/2009 - 15:06

Guest

is krill an important part of the food web and please explain