Aloha Mr. McKay and Dr. Ray!
I have been watching your blog, anticipating the start of your mission. How wonderful that BEST compares data from the Bering Sea Ecosystem at different times of the year. I will be following and learning right along with you that's for sure.
One thing that my students and I are studying is the presence of micro-particles of plastic. We know plastic never goes away, but breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, until it appears gone, but really isn't. If phytoplankton become attached to these pieces of microplastic they won't sink, right? Won't that disrupt the natural cycling of nutrients in the Bering Sea and other areas of the oceans?
As always we are wondering about the kinds of phytoplankton you are seeing in your microscopes. We hope your journey is productive and has lots of calm seas!
warmly, Maggie