Today was especially awarding for me, because it feels like we’re finally getting into a routine! Up until now, the ‘sponge team’ has focused on designing and implementing the ideal setup for our several data loggers (2 YSI data sondes, 1 Sontek ADV, 2 Onset dissolved oxygen sensors, numerous TidBit temperature loggers, and a few others) that will constantly be recording data for the entire mission. We were even able to retrieve and off-load some really cool data from the YSI data sondes this evening (more on that later!)
So now the sensors and loggers are in place, and we know they are logging data, I was able to start focusing on collecting data from other individual sponges. Today we tagged the sponges we will be monitoring throughout the remainder of the mission, recorded morphometrics (fancy word for size and shape), and collected water samples from each. The water samples we are collecting will be used for a number of analyses that will give us insight on the role these creatures play in the functioning of the entire ecosystem, and will continue being collected daily from here on out.
Well, that’s all for now. More details to follow, so stay tuned!
-Alli
Well, that’s all for now. More details to follow, so stay tuned!
-Alli