Morgan Brunbauer's Diary
Week 1 |
Week 2
Week 2
Working with University of Maine Personnel and other Scientists
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Morgan and
Mark Wells on the deck of the Thomas G. Thompson Research
Vessel |
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Having
the chance to work with people like Professor Mark Wells and doctoral
candidate Eric Roy has been a really great experience for me. Both have a
wealth of knowledge that has inspired me in new directions in the field of
Marine Biology and Oceanography. With their help, I have been able to
learn state of the art techniques and gain valuable knowledge that would
not be available in the classroom.
I have
also been fortunate to be able to work with Lisa Pickell, Ph.D. candidate
under Mark Wells, and Kathy Hardy, who works at the Darling Marine Center.
Lisa and Kathy have been very insightful and helpful during this cruise.
I have also been able to work with other
professors and students from other universities from both the United States and
Canada. It is great to see that members of the scientific community have a
common interest and goal. Working with such a scientifically diverse group of
individuals brings what we are doing out here into perspective. We are not only
running individual experiments, we are using the data from other experiments to
get a greater understanding of the oceans.
Finally, I would like to say that I could
not have asked for a better group of people to work with. With all their help
and knowledge that I have received, it has really made my first cruise a
success.
Scientific Experience
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Morgan and
Mark Wells working with the incubator on the deck of the
Thomas G. Thompson Research Vessel |
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Working on a research vessel builds a greater understanding for the field
you are in. While on board, you may be involved with your own research
project, but often lend a hand when others need help. This is not only a
great way to build camaraderie, but also a great way to learn about the
different projects on board. Whether you are helping with filtrations or
reading chlorophyll levels, these extra tasks helps you see where your
project fits into the scheme of things.
Being
on a research vessel as an undergraduate has many benefits. First off, it
builds on the previous knowledge that you have received in class. You are
not only able to work with established researchers but also graduate and
doctorate students who are up and coming members of the scientific
community. It also builds on the student-professor relationship. This
being that you are able to learn valuable techniques on a one on one basis
outside of the classroom. Above all else, it is a great way to see other
aspects that are going on in the field.
Wildlife
out on the North Pacific
Being on a research vessel is not only about acquiring data from
experiments. It is also about enjoying the ocean around you. Time after time I
have been amazed by the sight of the vast blue of the ocean. Whether we are off
the Queen Charlotte Islands or at Station P, the wildlife is always around.
Watching the
sunset as humpback whales cruise in the distance is a great way to end a long
day and enjoy the fresh air of the North Pacific. During the day, seals and
porpoises can be seen playing off the bow of the ship and playing in the waves
off the sides of the ship. Every now and then the enormous wingspan of an
albatross can be seen as it glides over the waves effortlessly. It is truly
remarkable to see such a wide variety of wildlife. It is a nice bonus to see
such creatures and be able to conduct research at the same time.
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Week 1
Building a Clean room at Sea
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Morgan in the
Thomas G. Thompson Research Vessel's
clean room |
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Science at sea is not always straight
forward and easy. Most of the time specialized and unique labs are
required in order to get the job done. This often is the case when one works
with trace metals. Such metals as copper and iron exist in nanomolar
solution in seawater. The slightest bit of contamination can ruin days of
samples.
In order to study trace metals, a "clean
room" must be constructed. This by itself is not an easy task. The lab is
first framed with wood and then layers of plastic are stapled to the
frame. HEPA air filters are then used to inflate the lab. These filters are
also used to purify the air coming into the lab. Additional cleaning
procedures follow to remove static and dust particles from the interior.
The building process usually occurs a day or
two before the ship leaves the dock. It is a great way to get into the
swing of things. Since the whole process usually takes a few hours
(planning, building, cleaning, etc.), you really get to know a lot about
the people you are working with.
Living at Sea
Getting used to living on a moving vessel
takes some time getting used to. I have been on the ocean before but never
for an expedition this long. I was unsure whether or not I would get sea
sick, but this was not really a factor in my decision. To this
point, I have been fortunate not to have been sea sick.
There are other things that take getting
used to on a research vessel. The constant white noise and vibrations are
definitely a major issue. It makes sleeping a little difficult for the
first couple of days, especially when the auto pilot is engaged.
Walking on a vessel that is rolling is also
a little difficult. Other than these issues, once you get used to
them, you can not tell you are on a research vessel.
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