CCE LTER Process Cruise-2012
Day 1
1.
2. What is the name of the research vessel that they are on? What educational institution is the vessel a part of?
The research vessel, Melville, is a part of the Scripps Oceanagraphic Fleet.
3. How much does the ship weigh when it's fully loaded?
3,026,000 lb.
Day 3
4. On day #3, read about zooplankton are captured by the MOCNESS- summarize the process below:
Well first of all the MOCNESS is a series of nets used to capture zoo plankton. The lowered a quarter mile deep into the ocean to capture different types of zooplankton and they drag it next the boat. They zooplankton get captured net and they can study the different zooplankton that gets captured.
5. Explain the "vertical migration" of many zooplankton species. Why do they do this?
During the day many animals sink lower to avoid predators. They can avoid being eaten in deeper water and then at night they come to the surface to feed.
6. What are phytoplankton?
Tiny plants in the water.
Day 6
7. What information is collected by the SeaSoar? What are they trying to find specifically?
It identifies the location of where the CA current meets denser coastal water. Data like water temperature, water salinity or density.
8. What is CTD stand for?
Conductivity, temperature & depth instrument.
Day 10
9. What is the "E-Front"?
The front where the California current meets the inshore current.
10. Why does the sampling need to be conducted at night?
To ensure that the zooplankton are resent at the sampling depth.
11. What is the epipelagic zone?
The light zone of the ocean.
12. These samples were taken along the E-Front- Can you tell where the actual front is located?
Between the sample the 4th from the right and the 5th from the left.
Day 1
1.
2. What is the name of the research vessel that they are on? What educational institution is the vessel a part of?
The research vessel, Melville, is a part of the Scripps Oceanagraphic Fleet.
3. How much does the ship weigh when it's fully loaded?
3,026,000 lb.
Day 3
4. On day #3, read about zooplankton are captured by the MOCNESS- summarize the process below:
Well first of all the MOCNESS is a series of nets used to capture zoo plankton. The lowered a quarter mile deep into the ocean to capture different types of zooplankton and they drag it next the boat. They zooplankton get captured net and they can study the different zooplankton that gets captured.
5. Explain the "vertical migration" of many zooplankton species. Why do they do this?
During the day many animals sink lower to avoid predators. They can avoid being eaten in deeper water and then at night they come to the surface to feed.
6. What are phytoplankton?
Tiny plants in the water.
Day 6
7. What information is collected by the SeaSoar? What are they trying to find specifically?
It identifies the location of where the CA current meets denser coastal water. Data like water temperature, water salinity or density.
8. What is CTD stand for?
Conductivity, temperature & depth instrument.
Day 10
9. What is the "E-Front"?
The front where the California current meets the inshore current.
10. Why does the sampling need to be conducted at night?
To ensure that the zooplankton are resent at the sampling depth.
11. What is the epipelagic zone?
The light zone of the ocean.
12. These samples were taken along the E-Front- Can you tell where the actual front is located?
Between the sample the 4th from the right and the 5th from the left.
13. Explain how the chlorophyll samples re preserved.
They obtain the water, pour it through filter paper, collect the paper and freeze it.
Day 12
14. Where is the mesopelagic zone? Why are the critters found here so special?
The mesopelagic zone extends from 200 meters to 1000 meters under the surface. The animals found in the mesopelagic zone are special because you can't find them in an aquarium due to their different living conditions. It's difficult to keep them alive because they the surface is so much different than the zone they live in.
15. Explain why styrofoam cups that were attached to the CTD shrunk when they were lowered to the depths.
The pressure underwater is greater than on land.
16. Why is iron so important t phytoplankton?
Iron is known to help phytoplankton grow.
17. What kind of precautions are taken by the scientists on board to make sure that the water samples are not contaminated by metals on or around the ship?
They have to cover the equipment in plastic.
Day 21
17. How can scientist use "poop" to determine the biomass of an ecosystem. Explain?
Scientists look at the carbon that comes from scat and that helps them understand the biomass.
18. What is "marine snow"? Explain how it's collected.
Marine snow is scat and other materials.
Day 24
19. Explain how long lining is dangerous to marine birds.
When birds see a fish on the line they try to eat it but they get stuck and end up drowning.
20. Describe Fin Whales- What do they look like, what do they eat, why are they not hunted as much as other whales?
-They have a unique coloration
-They eat zooplankton
-They are found too far off shore to be hunted
Day 26
21. What are copepods? What are they related to?
Copepods are a type of zooplankton commonly found in the Pacific Ocean. They're related to crabs and lobsters.
22.Explain two ways copepods are studied on the ship.
-UVP
-Sorting under a microscope
Day 29
23. What is the bow dome? Where is it located?
The bow dome is a window to watch marine life in their natural habitat. It's located in the bottom of the front of the boat.
24.Would you be interested in spending a month at sea? Does a career in oceanography seem interesting?
I would definitely love to spend a month at sea and oceanography seems like an amazing career.
25. Which part of this blog was most interesting to you? Why?
I liked the part on the whales because whales are really interesting.
They obtain the water, pour it through filter paper, collect the paper and freeze it.
Day 12
14. Where is the mesopelagic zone? Why are the critters found here so special?
The mesopelagic zone extends from 200 meters to 1000 meters under the surface. The animals found in the mesopelagic zone are special because you can't find them in an aquarium due to their different living conditions. It's difficult to keep them alive because they the surface is so much different than the zone they live in.
15. Explain why styrofoam cups that were attached to the CTD shrunk when they were lowered to the depths.
The pressure underwater is greater than on land.
16. Why is iron so important t phytoplankton?
Iron is known to help phytoplankton grow.
17. What kind of precautions are taken by the scientists on board to make sure that the water samples are not contaminated by metals on or around the ship?
They have to cover the equipment in plastic.
Day 21
17. How can scientist use "poop" to determine the biomass of an ecosystem. Explain?
Scientists look at the carbon that comes from scat and that helps them understand the biomass.
18. What is "marine snow"? Explain how it's collected.
Marine snow is scat and other materials.
Day 24
19. Explain how long lining is dangerous to marine birds.
When birds see a fish on the line they try to eat it but they get stuck and end up drowning.
20. Describe Fin Whales- What do they look like, what do they eat, why are they not hunted as much as other whales?
-They have a unique coloration
-They eat zooplankton
-They are found too far off shore to be hunted
Day 26
21. What are copepods? What are they related to?
Copepods are a type of zooplankton commonly found in the Pacific Ocean. They're related to crabs and lobsters.
22.Explain two ways copepods are studied on the ship.
-UVP
-Sorting under a microscope
Day 29
23. What is the bow dome? Where is it located?
The bow dome is a window to watch marine life in their natural habitat. It's located in the bottom of the front of the boat.
24.Would you be interested in spending a month at sea? Does a career in oceanography seem interesting?
I would definitely love to spend a month at sea and oceanography seems like an amazing career.
25. Which part of this blog was most interesting to you? Why?
I liked the part on the whales because whales are really interesting.