October 21th

Three Dive Day (from Stacy's perspective)

Today was a busy one! The "kids" Dan, Andrew, and Aaron went to Sea Ice Training, after a flurry of morning phone calls trying to find various pieces of science equipment and make progress on soe and we dove out of the Pisten Bully. The weather had gotten better than the morning, but there was still a little wind so it was about -20 degrees C. The inside of my mask kept freezing and so I ended up diving with a rather blurry view of things. One of the lasers on the video camera wouldn't turn on so I used the still camera that we carry along as backup.

Some of the sampling gear we carry with us when diving.

This serpulid worm is one species found in the benthic community.

John collected a set of core samples, which we take to determine the infaunal community structure. We sieve the sediment off, preserve the animals, and sort, identify and count each individual for measures of diversity and abundance. Most of the infaunal animals are only a few mm long. We use the video or still camera to quantify the larger, epifaunal animals in the community, by recording images of a certain area of seafloor, and then counting the different animals. Finally, we count clam siphons within a quadrat while we are in the water. The clams are too big to be collected by the core samples, and too cryptic to be identified in the images, so we count them by hand. Using these three sampling methods, we get a complete description of the benthic community. We also collect samples for chemical analysis of hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and organic carbon, and for grain size. These describe the environment, and in particular the amount of organic and chemical contamination, that the organisms live with. These data are collected as part of our long-term studies, and will help us answer our Question #1 (see Goals).

The "kids" came back from Sea Ice Training in time for dinner, and then we set off for the Jetty for their check out dive. They were very excited and a little apprehensive. It takes a long time to put on all the specialized gear when you are unfamiliar with it - three hoods, a harness for weights instead of a weight belt, a backpack instead of a buoyancy compensator, a dual yoke valve with two separate regulators, and dry gloves that are warm but clumsy. But when you finally get into the water it is a glorious and unique experience. Everyone did exceptionally well, and I think between all of us we will have not problem getting all our science done.

Anchor ice forms on the bottom in shallow water; a fish is cuddling up among the ice crystals.

Finally, today was the day that Kathy arrived. It was great to see her again, and she looks exactly the same as she did the last time we worked together, in 1999! I am so happy to have my roommate, friend and final team member here. Now we can really get rolling!