26 September 2011 Keeping up...

Journal

Science is always in constant motion

One of the hardest parts of documenting this expedition is the fact that every day the science is moving forward. We have been here for just over one month and some members of our team have only three weeks remaining before they depart. Every minute of every day counts and is being used to the fullest. If I take a day to share something with you, the science is still moving forward at full speed.

To try and catch up, here's a little update from each of the expedition's areas.

Diving Operations

We have been really busy in the field. The divers are up to 22 dives each, representing more than 35 hours of time under the ice. We have been busy collecting two species of worms, Capitella and Spiophanes. We have also been exploring other dive sites. Here are some of the amazing scenes we've experienced under the ice.

giant scolymastra — On one memorable dive recently, Dr. Marsh showed me 7 or so of the biggest volcano sponges I have ever seen. They were taller and wider than me! (Photo courtesy of Dr. Adam Marsh)

I've seen a lot of this huge sea star, Macroptychaster accrescens, at our recent dive site. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Adam Marsh)

I've been noticing a lot more isopods in the anchor ice at our new dive sites. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Stacy Kim)

We've had four great dives at sites with these ice tunnels up in shallow water. (Photo couretsy of Dr. Stacy Kim)

Adam in ice tunnel — Dr. Marsh explores the anchor ice within an ice tunnel. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Stacy Kim)

sea ice crack — Sea ice crack as seen from under the ice. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Stacy Kim)

exiting — Dr. Marsh prepares to exit through the dive hole, while Mike looks on. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Stacy Kim)

Lab Operations

Stephanie, Annamarie, and Adam have been hard at work planning the different experiments that they will conduct involving the Capitella worms that we have collected. In preparation, Stephanie and Annamarie have been hard at work. Here's what their "To Do" List has looked like:

Count worms
Examine worm health and life stage
Plan experiments, including necessary materials
Cut insulation for containers
Setup and test equipment
Create solutions and buffers for experiments

Am pH meter — Annamarie calibrates the pH meter and makes buffer solutions for her experiments.

Worm Count

We are up to 1,000 Capitella worms in the Aquarium cultures. Annamarie gave Ms. W. a look under the microscope at Capitella. Here's what she saw.

Ms. W. microscope — Ms. W. uses the microscope to help locate worms.

Team Bonding

The team has really been coming together to form a really productive and cohesive group. In a field research situation, it's really important that everyone can work together and get along. We eat meals together, play board games, watch movies, got to McMurdo Station events, and (of course) work hard!

Mystery Contest

Our mystery photos have been such a big hit that I thought we should kick it up a notch. Today's photo is a "Howdidyadothat?" The first person that can respond in the forum that can explain what is going on in this shot will receive a personal postcard from Antarctica. Submit your explanations by clicking here.