March 29, 2010
Our trip is coming to a close and soon we will be headed back south. The temperature is still dipping below zero, and hands and ears have to be covered when you go out or they will start to freeze almost instantly.
We have gathered a lot of information from different stations, and I have been privileged to see a lot of critters I may not have seen otherwise. I have enjoyed the Brittle Stars that they pull up in the grabs. We have also gotten a couple fish and some Sea Cucumbers as well. One of the scientists is growing clams for his studies, and one of them laid some eggs! They look similar to frog eggs, and float in a gelatin balloon above the mud where the clam is hidden.
As the trip winds down, we are spending more time transiting to the different locations than time spent on station. Soon we will be doing less at the stations as well and only taking water samples.
I look forward to pulling into Kodiak, AK again, as well as getting back home, but I will miss the Arctic. There is a beauty up here that is completely indescribable. I feel very privileged to be able to be here, and work with the scientists.
~SN Klineburger
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Deck Force Joural
March 29, 2010
Our trip is coming to a close and soon we will be headed back south. The temperature is still dipping below zero, and hands and ears have to be covered when you go out or they will start to freeze almost instantly.
We have gathered a lot of information from different stations, and I have been privileged to see a lot of critters I may not have seen otherwise. I have enjoyed the Brittle Stars that they pull up in the grabs. We have also gotten a couple fish and some Sea Cucumbers as well. One of the scientists is growing clams for his studies, and one of them laid some eggs! They look similar to frog eggs, and float in a gelatin balloon above the mud where the clam is hidden.
As the trip winds down, we are spending more time transiting to the different locations than time spent on station. Soon we will be doing less at the stations as well and only taking water samples.
I look forward to pulling into Kodiak, AK again, as well as getting back home, but I will miss the Arctic. There is a beauty up here that is completely indescribable. I feel very privileged to be able to be here, and work with the scientists.
~SN Klineburger
Our trip is coming to a close and soon we will be headed back south. The temperature is still dipping below zero, and hands and ears have to be covered when you go out or they will start to freeze almost instantly.
We have gathered a lot of information from different stations, and I have been privileged to see a lot of critters I may not have seen otherwise. I have enjoyed the Brittle Stars that they pull up in the grabs. We have also gotten a couple fish and some Sea Cucumbers as well. One of the scientists is growing clams for his studies, and one of them laid some eggs! They look similar to frog eggs, and float in a gelatin balloon above the mud where the clam is hidden.
As the trip winds down, we are spending more time transiting to the different locations than time spent on station. Soon we will be doing less at the stations as well and only taking water samples.
I look forward to pulling into Kodiak, AK again, as well as getting back home, but I will miss the Arctic. There is a beauty up here that is completely indescribable. I feel very privileged to be able to be here, and work with the scientists.
~SN Klineburger
Deck Force Joural
March 29, 2010
Our trip is coming to a close and soon we will be headed back south. The temperature is still dipping below zero, and hands and ears have to be covered when you go out or they will start to freeze almost instantly.
We have gathered a lot of information from different stations, and I have been privileged to see a lot of critters I may not have seen otherwise. I have enjoyed the Brittle Stars that they pull up in the grabs. We have also gotten a couple fish and some Sea Cucumbers as well. One of the scientists is growing clams for his studies, and one of them laid some eggs! They look similar to frog eggs, and float in a gelatin balloon above the mud where the clam is hidden.
As the trip winds down, we are spending more time transiting to the different locations than time spent on station. Soon we will be doing less at the stations as well and only taking water samples.
I look forward to pulling into Kodiak, AK again, as well as getting back home, but I will miss the Arctic. There is a beauty up here that is completely indescribable. I feel very privileged to be able to be here, and work with the scientists.
~SN Klineburger
Our trip is coming to a close and soon we will be headed back south. The temperature is still dipping below zero, and hands and ears have to be covered when you go out or they will start to freeze almost instantly.
We have gathered a lot of information from different stations, and I have been privileged to see a lot of critters I may not have seen otherwise. I have enjoyed the Brittle Stars that they pull up in the grabs. We have also gotten a couple fish and some Sea Cucumbers as well. One of the scientists is growing clams for his studies, and one of them laid some eggs! They look similar to frog eggs, and float in a gelatin balloon above the mud where the clam is hidden.
As the trip winds down, we are spending more time transiting to the different locations than time spent on station. Soon we will be doing less at the stations as well and only taking water samples.
I look forward to pulling into Kodiak, AK again, as well as getting back home, but I will miss the Arctic. There is a beauty up here that is completely indescribable. I feel very privileged to be able to be here, and work with the scientists.
~SN Klineburger
Monday, March 22, 2010
Deck Department, Crew Journal
By far, it has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to assist the Marine Science Technicians (MSTs) on board for the Bering Ecosystem Study 2010 (BEST) which is funded by NSF & NPRB.
From braving negative 30 degrees with wind chill to running science operations 24 hours, it's definitely rewarding to know that SN Klineburger and myself are given a great opportunity to assist with science operations.
The lead scientist is Lee Cooper, and the co-lead scientist is Jackie Grebmier. Sophisticated equipment is used in obtaining samples for research including Van Veen Grabs, CTD (conductivity, temperature, and conductivity), flurometers, incubators, single haps cors, bongo nets, multi-haps cors, and calvet nets. This equipment helps in collecting benthic organisms, copepods, chlorophyl content, and nutrient levels.
Everyday is exciting and an exhilarating adventure underway while assisting MSTs and the scientists. Our mission on this trip is to further scientific research in the Bering Sea. It's worthwhile knowing that we assisted in such efforts!
~SN Meno
From braving negative 30 degrees with wind chill to running science operations 24 hours, it's definitely rewarding to know that SN Klineburger and myself are given a great opportunity to assist with science operations.
The lead scientist is Lee Cooper, and the co-lead scientist is Jackie Grebmier. Sophisticated equipment is used in obtaining samples for research including Van Veen Grabs, CTD (conductivity, temperature, and conductivity), flurometers, incubators, single haps cors, bongo nets, multi-haps cors, and calvet nets. This equipment helps in collecting benthic organisms, copepods, chlorophyl content, and nutrient levels.
Everyday is exciting and an exhilarating adventure underway while assisting MSTs and the scientists. Our mission on this trip is to further scientific research in the Bering Sea. It's worthwhile knowing that we assisted in such efforts!
~SN Meno
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Deck Department, Crew Journal
March 18, 2010
In the BEST 2010 operation area, we drive from station to station, set areas where the scientists want to take their samples. It takes anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours to transit between stations.
Once we are set up on station, we begin putting science equipment over the side of the ship. We start with the CTD which is a round frame surrounding several different kinds of sensors and a bunch of water canisters. We can trip the water canisters closed at different depths to bring back water for sampling. Some of the other things we measure are: conductivity, temperature, depth, salinity, light, and particles in the water.
We also put other science gear over the side. At each station we will do 1 CTD, and then do 5-7 Van Veen Grabs. That is where we put a big clam shell type device over the side that closes when it hits the bottom, gathering a scoop of the ocean floor. Then we do 2-4 Haps Cores. This is similar, but it brings back a tube of dirt and water.
Next we bring the grabs of mud on board, dump them into large sieves and spray them down with sea water to wash all the dirt away and leave behind the shells, seaweed, brittle stars, worms, and other things, that are then looked at by the scientists.
We have also seen lots of different animals. There are some scientists who take turns spending all day on the bridge looking out over the ice and water and writing down everything they see. Some of the wildlife they have spotted are: Beluga whales, Bearded Seals, Rings Seals, Ribbon Seals, Walruses, and quite a few birds.
In the BEST 2010 operation area, we drive from station to station, set areas where the scientists want to take their samples. It takes anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours to transit between stations.
Once we are set up on station, we begin putting science equipment over the side of the ship. We start with the CTD which is a round frame surrounding several different kinds of sensors and a bunch of water canisters. We can trip the water canisters closed at different depths to bring back water for sampling. Some of the other things we measure are: conductivity, temperature, depth, salinity, light, and particles in the water.
We also put other science gear over the side. At each station we will do 1 CTD, and then do 5-7 Van Veen Grabs. That is where we put a big clam shell type device over the side that closes when it hits the bottom, gathering a scoop of the ocean floor. Then we do 2-4 Haps Cores. This is similar, but it brings back a tube of dirt and water.
Next we bring the grabs of mud on board, dump them into large sieves and spray them down with sea water to wash all the dirt away and leave behind the shells, seaweed, brittle stars, worms, and other things, that are then looked at by the scientists.
We have also seen lots of different animals. There are some scientists who take turns spending all day on the bridge looking out over the ice and water and writing down everything they see. Some of the wildlife they have spotted are: Beluga whales, Bearded Seals, Rings Seals, Ribbon Seals, Walruses, and quite a few birds.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Deck Department, Crew Journal
March 9, 2010
BEST 2010 Science Deployment
The weather was still somewhat foul last night, but not quite as hazardous so most members of the crew got a little more sleep. We reached ice late in the evening. Deck force spent the day breaking ice off the railings and all over the ship. The ice had accumulated from the spray as temperatures dropped during our northward transit. Since the ice adds a lot of weight, and is unevenly distributed, it has to go.
We made it through the Unimak Pass and are now in the Bering Sea. As I am writing this we are going through the ice and except for the grumble of the engines down below you almost wouldn’t know we were at sea. It is a pleasant change from the last few days’ wild ride.
~SN Klineburger
BEST 2010 Science Deployment
The weather was still somewhat foul last night, but not quite as hazardous so most members of the crew got a little more sleep. We reached ice late in the evening. Deck force spent the day breaking ice off the railings and all over the ship. The ice had accumulated from the spray as temperatures dropped during our northward transit. Since the ice adds a lot of weight, and is unevenly distributed, it has to go.
We made it through the Unimak Pass and are now in the Bering Sea. As I am writing this we are going through the ice and except for the grumble of the engines down below you almost wouldn’t know we were at sea. It is a pleasant change from the last few days’ wild ride.
~SN Klineburger
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 7, 2010
BEST 2010 Science Deployment
And we are off! Today we pulled away from Kodiak. Thankfully it was another nice day, although it turned a little darker as the day wore on. It grew quite darker in fact, with winds picking up, and the seas so rough that hardly anyone got any sleep at all. We found out if the ship really was secured for sea. Mr. Verlinden had warned us to really make sure everything was secured, and the way to know if it was good enough, was if you could pick up the ship and turn it sideways and shake it, and the stuff wouldn’t move, it is secured. About 2:15 we had a really big role, at least 35 degrees, I think maybe more. You might wonder how it is that I know the exact time of said roll. Well, our room was not quite shake proof. We have some white stackable drawers tucked in a corner secured with ratchet straps (not secured enough though). One came tumbling down with a crash!~ While I was still groggily pulling back the curtains my roommate, Strang, was out of her rack so fast she looked like the Road Runner, just a blur. She caught the second one from falling, and by that time all four of us were up and helping to secure it. We spider webbed it to the wall with ratchet straps and it didn’t move an inch after that.
It was hard staying in your rack (bed) to get any sleep though; you woke up with every roll as your body tensed to stay in position and not go sliding out. There are several different tricks that I have heard people use to stay put. I think I might even use the topic as one of my papers for English class. The crew uses everything from binders, to boots, to pillows and blankets shoved under the outer side of the mattress so that there is a lip that you can’t roll over. Some shove one leg in the crack between the bed and the wall. The really smart ones have memory foam on top of their mattresses and that is doubled over to create a lip, as well as something that you sink into. Thankfully most things stayed fairly secured down, although even the helo that we got on board today slipped a little sideways in the hangar during the night.
~SN Klineburger
BEST 2010 Science Deployment
And we are off! Today we pulled away from Kodiak. Thankfully it was another nice day, although it turned a little darker as the day wore on. It grew quite darker in fact, with winds picking up, and the seas so rough that hardly anyone got any sleep at all. We found out if the ship really was secured for sea. Mr. Verlinden had warned us to really make sure everything was secured, and the way to know if it was good enough, was if you could pick up the ship and turn it sideways and shake it, and the stuff wouldn’t move, it is secured. About 2:15 we had a really big role, at least 35 degrees, I think maybe more. You might wonder how it is that I know the exact time of said roll. Well, our room was not quite shake proof. We have some white stackable drawers tucked in a corner secured with ratchet straps (not secured enough though). One came tumbling down with a crash!~ While I was still groggily pulling back the curtains my roommate, Strang, was out of her rack so fast she looked like the Road Runner, just a blur. She caught the second one from falling, and by that time all four of us were up and helping to secure it. We spider webbed it to the wall with ratchet straps and it didn’t move an inch after that.
It was hard staying in your rack (bed) to get any sleep though; you woke up with every roll as your body tensed to stay in position and not go sliding out. There are several different tricks that I have heard people use to stay put. I think I might even use the topic as one of my papers for English class. The crew uses everything from binders, to boots, to pillows and blankets shoved under the outer side of the mattress so that there is a lip that you can’t roll over. Some shove one leg in the crack between the bed and the wall. The really smart ones have memory foam on top of their mattresses and that is doubled over to create a lip, as well as something that you sink into. Thankfully most things stayed fairly secured down, although even the helo that we got on board today slipped a little sideways in the hangar during the night.
~SN Klineburger
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