Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:32
Forums
Seafloor Organisms and Changing Ocean Conditions in Antarctic

Hi Ms. Herrmann! The reply count is showing up fine now, so it must just have been a little glitch. It seems like there's a lot of cool equipment at Palmer. You might have mentioned this before, but how long has there been a station where Palmer is? Do scientists mostly bring their own equipment/equipment from grants, or does most of the equipment belong to the station? I know it's still almost two weeks until you're actually back, but that's still not too long--Is there anything in particular you still want to get a chance to do before you leave? I'll definitely keep following along and writing while I'm in Florida! Mila

Fri, 03/02/2012 - 02:43

Nell Herrmann

Hi Mila,Palmer Station has been here on Anvers Island since 1968. There was another station that was very basic- it was only in operation from 1965-1968. The island the old station is on has been renamed for the Amslers, the people I'm working with. Isn't that cool? Dr. and Mrs. Amsler have both done important long term research down here. I'm really lucky to have the opportunity to work with them.
Good question about all of the equipment- you are right; there is some pretty high tech stuff here (the fluorometer among other things). Some equipment stays here all of the time (lab benches, refrigerators, etc.) and some basic supplies (glassware, gloves, tape, tubing) belong to Palmer Station. Big things like the gliders, for example, belong to universities and were paid for by grants received by scientists. Same with the dive gear the Amsler group uses and all of the equipment they need for the Aqua Medic table- that's all paid for by grants.
I am still hoping to go out in the field with the ornithology group. If not, I'd like to at least get a better feel for their research. They study penguins, giant petrels and skuas and I'd love to know more about their project.
Happy Friday!
-Ms. Herrmann