Today we wave goodbye to our NAAMES team members who will not join us at sea…..
The gangway being removed that connected the R/V Atlantis to the shore at WHOI.
And away we go!
The shoreline of wood’s hole quickly fades as we head out to sea
Starting something new can often be intimidating. Add in a moving boat, some rough weather, and potential sickness and that feeling can become overwhelming. However, these feelings are quickly eclipsed by the sheer excitement of the adventure and potential for great scientific data. Living on a boat for a month doing science is an experience few will ever get.
As a PhD in the lab of Kim Halsey at Oregon State University my research focuses on studying how phytoplankton physiology responds to environmental shifts. The North Atlantic Aerosols and Marine Ecosystems Study (NAAMES) project which aims to capture the many complexities of the North Atlantic plankton bloom cycle – ranging from the chemical level and working all the way up to ocean-wide phenomena thus provides me with an excellent research opportunity. My work as a part of NAAMES focuses on the microscopic plants(phytoplankton) in the ocean that convert sunlight and CO2 into usable forms of carbon. During the cruise, I will measure the rate at which these organisms convert carbon dioxide into biomass using the power of the sun. And I will also perform experiments to understand how they adjust their physiology under different light conditions. Needless to say, I am beyond excited to contribute to this project in the coming weeks!
Bryce Penta trying on a survival suit during the safety training on board of the R/V Atlantis.
After a quick safety briefing, where I had to don the bright red ‘gumby’ suits, we set sail, speeding off to follow in the wake of a tropical storm.
The first of many sunset ops for the scientific crew of NAAMES III. Photo credit: Stuart Halewood
Here’s to becoming one big boat family!
Written by Bryce Penta
Today was our last day of mobilization before sailing on Day 1 of the NASA NAAMES mission. The scientists and crew were busy making final preparations, there was a buzz in the air that was cooled by a well-timed sea breeze. Boxes were strapped down, filter rigs were secured, and last minute trips were made to the grocery store for chocolate bars.
As part of the ‘in-line’ optics and autonomous profiling team for the NAAMES group, today our group has been busy putting the final touches on the “in-line system” that pumps seawater through a series of instruments throughout the entirety of the cruise. These instruments look at particles, critters, and optical properties of the ocean.
Nils Haentjens putting final touches on the “in-line system” water system being installed on the R/V Atlantis cruise for NAAMES III
We have also been busy preparing the seven Argo floats which will be deployed during our campaign. These floats will be tossed out into the sea for a lonely, but informative life, where they will measure properties of the water column such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, and light availability.
Our captain, Emmanuel Boss lifting an Argo float out of its crate to prepare it for deployment during the NAAMES campaign.
In the morning, we will say Bon Voyage!
Written by Jordan Snyder
