FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009
Report Day 07 -- Wednesday 07 October 2009 -- Bacteria on Board
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FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009 |
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I wake up late, miss breakfast and almost miss lunch. My body has still not adjusted to being awake till 4:00 am and trying to operate on normal people time the next day. After lunch I learn that Jason is now exploring Big Lump and Little Lump, an area of FeMO deep that has not previously been visited.
When the exploration is complete, Jason prepares to return to the surface. The weights are dropped and left on the ocean floor. Jason begins his slow ascent to the surface. He is on board by 4:00 pm. The collection of samples by the scientists begins. Inside one of Craig’s long-term exposure bacterial traps are layers of bacteria. An exciting discovery to see how the bacteria grow in layers ranging from golden brown to jet black.
The CTD is once again deployed to take samples of the water. The Niskin water sampling tubes are double checked to ensure they are working properly. A clamp is attached to the top of the CTD. A wire extends from the clamp to the crane. Slowly and carefully the crane operator lifts the CTD over the edge of the ship into the water. The CTD disappears beneath the ocean surface.
As I watched the crane lower the CTD I looked around the deck of the Kilo Moana. It all seems to make sense now – I finally understand what all these cranes and machines are used for. I will share my revelations with you tomorrow.
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