14 November 2007 Diving with a surface supply

Journal

"Exploration is the physical expression of the Intellectual Passion."

Another applicable quote by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. People can explore so many different topics in such a variety of ways. It certainly doesn't have to be in Antarctica, or under the sea ice! But that is where Stacy is headed again today.

Rob and Stacy talking about the surface air supply system

Stacy has a long-term study site at the end of the sewer pipe going out into the Sound. You can see my photo of this location in my October 23rd journal entry. Though all solid waste is now packed out of McMurdo Station, they used to pump sewage into the water until 2003. The community of organisms living on and near the sewage outfall is different than the organisms living in similar natural habitats nearby.

Rob explains how the surface air supply system works

Today, Stacy is diving on a surface air supply. The fresh air from outside is compressed and sent through a line to her face mask so she can breathe. She is wearing a back-up tank on her back, but she won't use that tank unless she has problems with the surface air supply. She is using this system here because the water at this site is contaminated from the sewage. This system will keep her face more protected than when she dives with a tank and gets water on her face.

Rob helping Stacy with her tank

Now Rob is helping Stacy with her special mask

After Stacy slips into the water and starts breathing comfortably with the new system, she can even talk to Rob over a communications line going to her mask next to the air line.

Rob talking to Stacy on the microphone

Stacy successfully collected her samples and emerged with a dry face. She then prepared her samples under a "hood" in the lab. A hood is basically a table with a vented cover over it that can be closed so the hood covers the whole area. Many scientists use hoods when they work with chemicals that release odors or gases.

Since Marcus and I are heading back to the United States in just two days, we took the afternoon to go for a walk. Here is another view of McMurdo showing Observation Hill in the background.