Journal

PolarConnect Event - Register Today!

Date: 3 October 2016 Event with Cara Pekarcik and Dr. Bethany Jenkins Time: 9:30AM Alaska Daylight Time (10:30AM PDT, 11:30AM MDT, 12:30PM CDT, 1:30PM EDT) Topic: Southern Ocean Diatom research aboard the R/V N.B. Palmer.

Register for the event here. The event will also be archived for viewing after the event if you cannot join the live presentation. Once you register, you will get instructions on how to join the webinar

Please share this information with your friends and family - I hope to see you virtually on the 3rd!

Happy Vernal/Autumnal Equinox

Today marks the vernal (spring) equinox in the southern hemisphere and the autumnal (fall) equinox in the northern hemisphere. In Antarctica, this is the time of the year that marks the end of the dark winter months and the beginning of longer periods of daylight. Where I live/teach in New England, this marks the time of the year where we prepare for leaves to change colors, shorter periods of daylight and cooler temperatures. This year, because of this research cruise, my seasons will be a bit out of order. Winter, spring, summer, winter, fall, winter. Sounds like a lot of cold temperatures, but totally worth the chill! Happy beginning of spring/fall wherever you are in the world!

Science Update

Overnight, we traveled north through the Antarctic Strait to head back into the Bransfield Strait. We are currently sitting on station ready to sample water later today (if the wind and rough seas cooperate). This morning, samples were collected from the incubation bottles to mark day 9 of the incubation period. The filtering process is taking a bit longer than normal because more biomass (biological material) is in the water clogging up the filters.

Biomass on filters
The 0.2 micron filter is located inside the red ring. Prior to filtration, this filter is clear. After filtration, the filter has a greenish tan color - evidence of biomass.

Don't be alarmed - this is actually good news! This is evidence that the diatoms are starting to grow in the incubation bottles. The science team lovingly refers to this as the 'bugs waking up'. Remember, these diatoms have just experienced a long, dark winter here in Antarctica. Their exposure to 24-hours of light in the incubation van introduces the light needed to initiate photosynthesis, similar to how the blooms of phytoplankton would begin to grow in this region in spring.

Connectivity on the RVIB Palmer

About a week ago, Jake, a student in one of my biology classes asked a question related to the ship's connectivity or the way in which the ship connects to the global Internet. To be more specific, he wanted to know how I was able to post journals on the Internet from the middle of the Southern Ocean. In all of my experiences at sea, I have taken for granted my ability to send an email or use the Internet to do research from remote locations. With Jake's question in mind, I set out to learn more about the connectivity of the RVIB Palmer. I decided to go straight to the source and spoke with Chris, one of the two IT techs working on the RVIB Palmer during our research cruise. Chris walked me through the general features of the ship's Internet capabilities, however, this is certainly not the entire story. This description is a general overview of the process. I hope to give you an idea of how I am able to email and post journals from the middle of the ocean, not instructions on setting up your own ship-based Internet access.

Connectivity diagram
This diagram provides a general overview of the similarities and differences of connectivity between a land-based system and the ship-based system on the RVIB Palmer.

The diagram above provides a basic comparison of how you the Internet access from home and how the RVIB Palmer accesses the Internet. You will notice that, for the most part, each side of the diagram has similar components. Similarities between networks, routers and modems are shown by the similar colors. Where the diagram differs is in the connection between the router and the provider. From home, you may have a cable extending from your home that eventually leads to the provider. There is no way to connect a cable when you are at sea. Instead, the ship has two (one older and one brand new) antenna on top of the ship's ice bridge that communicate with satellites in space. These antenna's use radio waves to send signals to the satellites. These signals are then relayed to the land-based providers for Internet access or to distribute emails. So, when at home, most people are directly connected to the service provider. At sea, however, the satellites act as the wire or cable that connect the ship to the rest of the world.

Internet equipment
This equipment panel, located in the ship's bridge, houses router equipment and equipment for antenna control. Controls for both the big and little antenna are located here along with other components used in other parts of the ship.

Antennas on RVIB Palmer
The little antenna (on left high on the post) and the big antenna at right send signals to satellites. The antenna help increase the RVIB Palmer's connectivity.

Details
Author
Cara Pekarcik
Date
Expedition
Southern Ocean Diatoms
Weather Summary
Sunny with lots of wind. Sustained winds over 40 knots this morning made for choppy seas all day.
Temperature
-2C/28F
Wind Speed
40+ knots
Wind Chill
-21C/-6F

View Comments

Comments

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 10:21

Cara Pekarcik

Sea lions don't live in Antarctica. Antarctic fur seals are from this area and are related to sea lions, but they are not the same species.
Different species of sea lions and different species of fur seals are
all part of the same subfamily, almost like distance cousins.

On 2016-09-26 06:53, PolarTREC wrote:

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 10:21

Cara Pekarcik

Hey Shannon - there are quite a few journals that show the ECW (extreme cold weather) gear. You can see a picture of some of the gear in the
Prep Day 1 journal from early September. You will also have a chance to
see some of this gear when I return to NQ in October.

On 2016-09-26 06:47, PolarTREC wrote:

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 11:21

Cara Pekarcik

CORRECTION - sea lions and fur seals are in the same family, not subfamily

On 2016-09-26 09:23, PolarTREC wrote:

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 07:45

james

Can the biomass do any serious damage to anything?

Fri, 09/23/2016 - 11:12

Vivian Tran

Hi Mrs. Pekarcik. It's amazing how modern technology can allow researchers out at sea to access the Internet. I'm curious into why the researchers call the growing diatoms 'bugs waking up'.

Fri, 09/23/2016 - 12:15

Cara Pekarcik

Hi Vivian - this is just a funny saying that they use. The science team simply refers to the diatoms as bug and the 'waking up' refers to
the beginning of their photosynthetic activity. As the incubation
experiments continue, the science team hopes to see an increase in
photosynthesis and growth by the diatoms.

On 2016-09-23 10:12, PolarTREC wrote:

Fri, 09/23/2016 - 14:26

Kevin C, Block B

Do seasons last longer in Antarctica than in other parts of the world?

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 08:02

Evon T. Block A

How long does it take for the average seawater sample take to filter?

Fri, 09/23/2016 - 16:16

Cara Pekarcik

Hi Kevin - the timing for the equinox is the same throughout the world because it is based on the tilt of the Earth's axis. This does not mean
that every area on Earth experiences the same temperatures or
precipitation levels at each corresponding season. In Antarctica, it is
generally cold. What separates the seasons is the light level and a
slight increase in temperature during the 'summer' months.

On 2016-09-23 13:26, PolarTREC wrote:

Fri, 09/23/2016 - 16:40

Aidan M, Block B

Hi Mrs. Pekarcik,I have two questions, first are you able to go on social media (Facebook, twitter, etc), especially because you do have access to the internet, or is it limited to just these journals? Secondly for your live presentation because it's during school, are we going to be having an assembly, or are we not going to get to see it at all.
Thanks,
Aidan

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 09:30

Cara Pekarcik

For large samples (20L) about 45 minutes. For small samples (50mL) about 10 minutes

On 2016-09-30 07:02, PolarTREC wrote:

Fri, 09/23/2016 - 17:16

Cara Pekarcik

Hi Aidan - I have a limited amount of bandwidth to use for the internet. I could go on social media, but because I have such limited
access, I use my bandwidth for other purposes.

I am not sure how the school is proceeding with the PolarConnect. I
believe that you will be participating (this is why I am having it
during school). I am sure Mrs. Doyle or Mr. Shaw will let you know in
the coming days.

On 2016-09-23 15:40, PolarTREC wrote:

Fri, 09/30/2016 - 09:30

Cara Pekarcik

James - I am not really sure what you mean by damage. It is living material, so unless it is something like a flagellate that can cause red
tides or other types of problems, I don't think the type of biomass
collected on the research cruise can cause issues.

On 2016-09-30 06:45, PolarTREC wrote:

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 07:47

shannon doyle

what did you wear to keep warm

Mon, 09/26/2016 - 07:53

Shawn K,Block G

Do sea lions only live in Antarctica?