Today, we collected some more mat and water samples and deployed all three light arrays and two of the sensors for the light arrays. Now, this might sound like an "easy" task.... not so! First, as we stand on the surface ice, we have to determine exactly where the experiment is set up underwater. We do not have an underwater GPSA Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system used to track the location or position of objects on the Earth’s surface., and compasses do not work too well down here, so we have to use more "old fashion" methods. During one of the last dives, we had the diver swim towards the experiment so that the people on the surface could get the proper angle away from the dive hole; basically, we look to see which direction the umbilical cord is exiting the dive hole and we choose a landmark on shore to line up with! We also had the diver swim a rope to the top of the experiment - that was our measuring device! We then walked the line out the same distance (minus the thickness of the ice!) above the ice in the direction we had noted. The end of the rope marks the drill site! We needed to drill another hole in order to run cables up from the light arrays to the solar panel on the surface which will power the lights and sensors.
So we drilled, being ever so careful not to "punch through" the ice with the large augers on the drill for fear we would get the drill stuck into the ice (remember: using the large auger creates quite a pile of chipped ice/snow in the hole and if we punch through and hit water, the water quickly turns that loose snow to "cement"!). We drilled as deep as we dared with the large auger and then switched to the smaller one. Success, we punched through and, quite quickly, extracted the drill augers before they froze into the hole! And - we were "spot on" as the kiwi's say! The hole is in a perfect position above the experiment.
Ian and Aslan change the bolts on the jiffy drill auger.
Aslan preps the jiffy drill
Jiffy drills have a reputation for not starting. Apparently someone was frustrated and changed the note on the drill that reminds the driller what the fuel ratio is (24-1) into the "Odds of Starting Cold"!
We needed "all hands" to deploy the light arrays, so I don't have any pictures of the actual deployment, but we will be taking some underwater photos within the next day or two! It was fun to deploy the arrays, but quite challenging and a bit nerve wracking! Challenging because we had several "things" to watch out for: the umbilical cord, the light array cables, the floats, the anchors, the nalgene bottle that will be used as a floatation devise for the cables, AND NOT touching the algal mat! Phew! We got it done though! Two of the cables from the light arrays are through the new cable hole and secured to the surface. The third cable needs to be taken from Hal, which will be done tomorrow.
TAT feels as thought he's ready to take the plunge!
TAT looks as though he's having second thoughts!
TAT decides he would rather go with Aslan!
You can also check out my journals and pictures from previous seasons at: http://www.ryejrhigh.org/ellwood
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