CTD – Page 4 – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

April 28, 2023April 29, 2023

Julie Hayes: Days at Sea! April 26, 2023

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Julie Hayes

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

April 22-May 5, 2023

Mission: SEAMAP Reef Fish

Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Mexico

Date: April 26, 2023

Weather Data

Clouds: Scattered

Temperature: 77 degrees F

Wind: 12 kt.

Waves: 2-4 ft.

Science and Technology Log

Each day is started and then ended with a water sample from the ocean. The technology is called a CTD, but the procedure would be called a CTD cast (as if we were casting it in the ocean). CTD stands for conductivity, temperature, and depth. The CTD consists of a collection of electronic instruments that measure the properties of the water, including a laser that checks the clarity of the water. Sampling water bottles are connected to a metal frame called a “rosette”. This information on water characteristics is important to both the scientists and the survey mapping team that use cameras and sonar. This information lets them know how well the clarity of the water is and the speed of sound that helps with the depth finders and sonar.

The apparatus containing the conductivity, temperature, and depth probe sits on the deck of NOAA Ship Pisces, awaiting deployment. — CTD used to check water quality, conductivity, temperature, and depth.

Vocabulary Check

What is Conductivity?

Conductivity is a measure of the ability of water to pass an electrical current.

What is Salinity?

Salinity is the dissolved salt content of a body of water and is a strong conductor of water.

So why is it important for scientist to know what each of these are?

The higher salinity the water is, the higher the conductivity of electrical currents.

Temperature also plays a role in the density. Knowing each of these is important because it lets the scientists know the water quality at different depths so they can make adjustments to their cameras and sonar.

Jack Prior, Chief Scientist

Jack is a pretty “chill” guy, and I have enjoyed watching him in action the past few days. Jack is the field party chief of this mission which involves everything from planning the trip, to deciding the daily sampling locations, deploying cameras, mapping, and figuring out what to do when things go wrong. Jack is in charge of planning and submitting the protocol for the entire mission and also is responsible for the end reports of the mission. You will find Jack on this leg sitting behind multiple computers regulating and keeping a watchful eye on all of the important information regarding this mission. Jack attended the University of West Florida to get his degree in marine biology.

Jack sits at a computer desk with multiple monitors. He smiles at the camera, his right hand giving a thumbs up. — Chief Scientist Jack Prior

Student Question of the Day

Whenever I get a chance, I ask random crew members questions that my students back home were curious about. Here is how Jack answered some of the students’ questions.

Konnor, Nichole, Lillian ask: What degree do you have and what all is needed to do your job?

Jack started his major in biology and had originally planned on going on to be a pharmacist, but then moved to Florida where he ended up getting his degree in marine biology instead. Jack continued to also get his Masters at the University of West Florida, too. Jack changed his career path because he enjoyed marine life. Volunteer work is crucial to get experience, and can benefit you on becoming more diverse when it comes to getting a job in marine biology.

Alyson asks: What would be your dream job?

Someday Jack wants to explore the seafloor in a submarine.

Blake, Sailor, Lilli, Jenna ask: What is your favorite food on the ship?

Taco Tuesdays seem to be a huge hit on the ship, as well as Friday pizza day.

Auburn, Ashton M., Karson, Liam: What would you consider to be the coolest marine life you have seen?

Seeing large diverse reef habitats is what Jack says he finds the most interesting, especially uncommon invertebrates that you’d never see on the beach.

Jaxon and Dwight: Can you be on the ship if you have health issues and what happens if there is a medical emergency?

The ship is a pretty confined space with steep stairs, uneven footing, areas you have to be able to step over, and have the ability to carry heavy weight. If there is ever a medical emergency, the ship works alongside the United States Coast Guard to get them the help they need. However, the ship is great working with all issues and plans accordingly to those who may have special diet restrictions.

Personal Log

Well, I will say that I am getting better at having my sea legs but that is still a work in progress. I have really enjoyed getting to understand the life on this ship, and I am just amazed at how diverse everyone is and yet still make this an amazing environment. It has taken me a few days to get the hang of where things are and to get out of my comfort zone to ask what I feel like has to be a million questions about everything. I have really enjoyed getting to hear and learn about the crew’s background and how they ended up on NOAA Ship Pisces. I greatly appreciate their willingness to answer my questions, even though I am sure I am in their way at moments. Everyone has a job to do and work different hours and shifts. It is great to see how they all respect each other’s space and sleeping hours.

There is so much science around me that I never knew existed, and I am shocked on how much technology is actually being used and heavily relied upon. Today was the first day the waves were calm enough that I was able to go out on the stern (learning names of different areas of the ship) to work on the blog and soak up a little bit of Sun. It was nice to be able to get some fresh air. The food has been amazing on the ship. I love how everyone is so courteous by thanking the cooks, as well as cleaning up after themselves before leaving the mess. The mess is the area in which we eat and the kitchen is called the galley. It has taken me a few days to understand the boat “lingo” but I am starting to catch on. The stairs are pretty steep, and everyone on board says to use 3 points of contact when walking. This is so that if they hit a wave while walking you are more stable. I could definitely see this being an issue going up and down the stairs. The doors are super heavy and I am still learning how to get those twisted and sealed tight the first time I close it (I am getting there).

A view of the mess: that is, the ship's the dining area. At the moment, it is unoccupied. There are five long tables, bolted to the floor, covered in blue vinyl or plastic table clothes. Black chairs surround each one. The chair's legs are all capped in cut-open tennis balls. The tables are supplied with condiments and paper towel holders. A large television screen mounted on the wall shows a football game. — The mess where we eat. It is spotless and a great size to fit everyone on board.

A staircase, as seen looking down from the top stair. There are railings and anti-slip applications.

A heavy metal door, with rounded edges, and a steering-wheel shaped handle. The door is stamped "Keep Closed."

August 26, 2022August 30, 2022

George Hademenos: A Day in the Life…of a Marine Science Researcher, August 25, 2022

NOAA Teacher at Sea

George Hademenos

Aboard R/V Tommy Munro

July 19 – 27, 2022

Mission: Gulf of Mexico Summer Groundfish Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Eastern Gulf of Mexico

Date: August 25, 2022

In this post, I would like to walk you through my interactions and observations with the science research being conducted aboard the R/V Tommy Munro, in particular, the steps that were taken during a trawling process. The entire process involved three stages: Preparing for Sampling, Conducting the Sampling, and Analyzing the Sampling with each stage consisting of six distinct steps.

View the following steps in an interactive tour here: Trawl Sampling Process (Genially)

I. Preparing for Sampling

Step 1: The ship travels to designated coordinates for sampling sites as determined for the particular leg of the Survey by SEAMAP (Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program).

screenshot of a computer screen showing the path that R/V Tommy Munro traveled among sampling sites. The ship's path is a bold blue line connecting sample sites marked in yellow. It's superimposed on an electronic nautical chart. This survey occurred southeast of Florida's Apalachicola Bay and St. George Island. — **Ship Transport to Sampling Site**

Step 2: Once the ship reaches the site, a Secchi disk is attached to a cable and lowered into the water off the side of the ship to determine visibility. When the disk can no longer be seen, the depth is recorded and the disk is raised and secured on ship.

a scientist wearing a life vest stands on a small grated platform that has folded down off the fantail of R/V Tommy Munro. With his left land, he grasps a cable hanging from an A-Frame that extends out of the photo. The cable is attached to a white disk, about the size of an old record, with a weight underneath. — **Deployment of Secchi Disk**

Step 3: A CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) unit is then prepared for deployment. It is a rectangular chamber with sensors designed to measure physical properties of the water below including dissolved oxygen, conductivity, transmissivity, and depth.

a conductivity, temperature, and depth probe, mounted inside a rectangular metal cage about 1 foot square and about 3 feet high, sits on deck. a crew member wearing white shrimp boots hooks a cable onto the top of the CTD frame. Another person, mostly out of frame, touches the CTD frame with their right hand, covered in a blue latex glove. — **Preparation of CTD Unit**

Step 4: The CTD unit is powered on and first is submerged just below the surface of the water and left there for three minutes for sensors to calibrate. It is then lowered to a specified depth which is 2 meters above the floor of the body of water to protect the sensors from damage.

the CTD unit, attached to a cable, sinks into dark blue water. — **Deployment of CTD Unit**

Step 5: Once the CTD unit has reached the designated depth, it remains there only for seconds until it is raised up and secured on board the ship.

a science team member, wearing a blue hat, a blue life vest, and blue latext gloves, stands on the deployment platform out the back of R/V Tommy Munro. He grasps the top of the CTD frame as a cable lifts it back out of the water. — **Recovery of CTD Unit**

Step 6: The CTD unit is then turned off and the unit is connected through a cable to a computer in the dry lab for data upload. Once the data upload is completed, the CTD unit is flushed with deionized water using a syringe and plastic tubing and then secured on the side of the ship.

the CTD unit sits on deck, now connected to a computer via a cable to upload the data it collected. — **Data Upload from CTD Unit**

II. Conducting the Sampling

Step 1: The trawling process now begins with the trawl nets thrown off the back of the ship. The nets are connected to two planks, each weighing about 350 lbs, which not only submerges the nets but also provide an angled resistance which keeps the nets open in the form of a cone – optimal for sampling while the ship is in motion.

a view of the fantail of R/V Tommy Munro, from an upper deck. we are looking through the rigging of the trawl frames. two large planks rest on the lower deck, connected to ropes and lines. the trawl net, connected to the planks, extends out the back of the fantail. It is just visible below the surface, a turquoise-colored cone submerged in a blue sea. — **Preparation of the Trawling Process Part 1**

another view of the fantail of R/V Tommy Munro from an upper deck, through extensive rigging and frames. the trawl net is further extended; now the large planks are lowering off the back deck as well, suspended by lines connected to a pulley in an A-frame. it is a clear day and the water is very smooth. — **Preparation of the Trawling Proces**s Part 2

Step 2: Once the trawl nets have been released into the water from the ship, the ship starts up and continues on its path for 30 minutes as the nets are trapping marine life it encounters.

a view of the fantail of R/V Tommy Munro from an upper deck. the trawl net is fully deployed and no longer visible. a crew member sweeps the deck. — **Onset of the Trawling Process**

Step 3: After 30 minutes has transpired, a siren sounds and the ship comes to a stop. The two weighted planks are pulled upon the ship followed by the trawl nets.

a view of the A-frame at the fantail R/V Tommy Munro as the trawl net rises from the ocean. The two spreader panels are suspended from separate lines running through the central pulley. behind those, the top of the trawl net is visible above the water. a crew member guides the spreader doors with his left hand, holding the lines with his right hand. — **Conclusion of the Trawling Process** Part 1

the spreader doors are now resting on the fantail deck again. two crewmembers, wearing life jackets, pull the trawl net back on board. — **Conclusion of the Trawling Process** Part 2

Step 4: The trawl nets are raised and hoisted above buckets for all specimens to be collected. Then begins the process of separation. In the first separation, the marine life is separated from seaweed, kelp and other debris. The buckets with marine life and debris are then weighed and recorded.

a crewmember (only partially visible) empties the contents of the trawl net into a blue plastic basket. it looks like it's mostly sargassum. — **Content Collection from the Trawl** Part 1

four plastic baskets on deck hold the sorted contents of the trawl. one has larger fish; another contains only a single fish; a third is a jumble of seaweed and sargassum, and may represent the remainder to sort; the contents of the fourth are not visible. a crewmember wearing a life vest and gloves leans over the baskets. another crewmember, only partially visible, looks on. — **Content Collection from the Trawl** Part 2

Step 5: The bucket(s) with marine life are emptied upon a large table on the ship’s stern for separation according to species.

a pile of fish on a large metal sorting table. we can see snappers, a trigger fish, and many lionfish. a stack of white sorting baskets rests adjacent to the pile. — **Separation Based on Species** Part 1

a gloved hand reaches toward the pile of fish on the metal sorting table. (this photo was taken from the same vantage point as the previous one.) — **Separation Based on Species** Part 2

Step 6: Each species of marine life is placed in their own tray for identification, examination, and measurements inside the wet lab.

two gloved crewmembers sort fish into smaller white baskets on a large metal sorting table. the table is on the back deck of the ship, and we can see smooth ocean conditions in the background. the crewmember in the foreground considers a small fish he has picked up from the remaining unsorted pile. the other crewmember looks on. — **Species Sorted in Trays** Part 1

a close-up view of the sorting basket containing only lionfish. — **Species Sorted in Trays** Part 2

III. Analyzing the Sampling

Step 1: After all species were grouped in their trays, all trays were taken into the wet lab for analysis. Each species was positively identified, counted, and recorded.

a direct view of three fish of different species, lined up on the metal sorting table. the third is a spotfin butterflyfish. — **Tray Transport to Wet Lab**

Step 2: Once each species was identified and counted, the total number of species was weighed while in the tray (accounting for the mass of the tray) and recorded on a spreadsheet to a connected computer display system.

a view of a scale. — **Total Weight Measurements**

Step 3: For each species, the length of each specimen was recorded using a magnetic wand with a sensor that facilitated the electronic recording of the value into a spreadsheet.

two hands, wearing latex gloves, measure a small lionfish on the electronic measuring board. the scientist holds the fish against the board with his left hand and with his right hand marks the length with the magnetic stylus. — **Individual Length Measurements**

Step 4: Weights of the collected species were recorded for the first sample and every fifth one that followed.

the gloved arm places the small lionfish on the scale behind the fish measuring board. — **Individual Weight Measurements**

Step 5: If time permitted between samplings, the sex of selected specimens for a species was determined and recorded.

gloved hands cut into a small lionfish to remove the fish's gonads. — **Individual Species Sex Identification**

Step 6:Once the entire sampling was analyzed, selected samples of specimens were placed in a baggie and stored in a freezer for further analysis with the remaining specimens returned to a larger bucket and thrown overboard into the waters. The separation table was cleaned with a hose and buckets were piled in preparation for the next sampling.

view out the fantail of R/V Tommy Munro from the lower deck. the trawl net and spreader doors lay on the deck, not currently in use. the sun shines on calm seas. — **Finalize Process and Prepare for Next**

In this installment of my exercise of the Ocean Literacy Framework, I would like to ask you

to respond to three questions about the fifth essential principle (The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.), presented in a Padlet accessed by the following link:

https://tinyurl.com/427xp9p3

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers – the questions serve not as an opportunity to answer yes or no, or to get answers right or wrong; rather, these questions serve as an opportunity not only to assess what you know or think about the scope of the principle but also to learn, explore, and investigate the demonstrated principle. If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please indicate so in the blog and I would be glad to answer your questions and initiate a discussion.

August 23, 2022August 24, 2022

Michael Gutiérrez Santiago: Línea Hidrográfica de Newport, 18 de agosto de 2022

Read this post in English: Michael Gutiérrez Santiago: Newport Hydrographic Line, August 18, 2022

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Michael Gutiérrez Santiago

NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada

12 de agosto – 25 de agosto de 2022

Misión: Estudio de poblaciones de merluza del Pacífico

Área Geográfica de Crucero: Costa de Washington y Oregón

Fecha: 18 de agosto de 2022

Condiciones atmósfericas desde el puente :

Latitud: 4539.9725N
Longitud: 12422.9606W
Temperatura: 63°F
Velocidad del viento: 13 mph
Barometero: 1017.2mb

Michael posa para una foto para mostrar su equipo: Grundens naranja (mono de goma) sobre una sudadera negra, un chaleco salvavidas naranja, un casco amarillo y anteojos de sol. — Preparado para recolectar muestras de plancton!

Registro de Ciencia y Tecnología

Línea Hidrográfica de Newport

La línea hidrográfica de newport es un estudio de investigación oceanográfica realizado por científicos del Centro de Ciencias Pesqueras del Noroeste de NOAA y de la Universidad Estatal de Oregón en las aguas costeras de Newport, Oregón .

Los investigadores han recopilado métricas oceanográficas físicas, químicas y biológicas a lo largo de Newport Line cada dos semanas durante más de 20 años. Este conjunto de datos de más de veinte años nos ayuda a comprender las conexiones entre los cambios en el clima oceánico y la estructura y función del ecosistema en la corriente de California1,2,3.

Los datos de Newport Line se destilan en indicadores de ecosistemas oceánicos , que se utilizan para caracterizar el hábitat y la supervivencia de los salmónidos juveniles, y que también se han mostrado prometedores para otras poblaciones como el bacalao negro, el róbalo y la sardina4. Estos datos también brindan información crítica del ecosistema sobre problemas emergentes, como las olas de calor marinas3, la acidificación de los océanos, la hipoxia6 y la proliferación de algas nocivas7.

un mapa de la costa de Washington y Oregón. la tierra está sombreada en gris, mientras que el agua es blanca con algunas líneas azules que indican la topografía submarina. Aunque no hay líneas de cuadrícula, las etiquetas marcan las líneas de latitud desde 43 grados norte hasta 47 grados norte y las líneas de longitud desde 125 grados oeste hasta 123 grados oeste. A mitad de camino, entre 44 y 45 grados norte, una línea roja corta se extiende horizontalmente desde Newport hasta el meridiano 125. Está etiquetado como "Línea NH". — Newport line

Barómetro de la acidificación e hipoxia de los océanos en un clima cambiante

Los modelos climáticos globales sugieren que los cambios futuros en el afloramiento costero conducirán a una mayor incidencia de hipoxia y exacerbarán aún más los efectos de la acidificación de los océanos. La serie temporal de Newport Line proporciona una línea base de parámetros biogeoquímicos, como el estado de saturación de aragonito, un indicador de condiciones ácidas (Fig. 4). Los investigadores pueden comparar esta línea de base con posibles cambios futuros en la abundancia de organismos (p. ej., pterópodos, copépodos y krill) sensibles a la acidificación del océano y la hipoxia.

Equipo utilizado

Red vertical
Colocando la red vertical en el agua
red vertical desplegada verticalmente en el agua desde un buque de investigación

Una red vertical es una red de anillos con un ancho de malla pequeño y una forma de embudo largo. Al final, la red se cierra con un cilindro (copo) que recoge el plancton. Se despliega verticalmente en el agua desde un buque de investigación. Se utiliza principalmente para investigar la estratificación vertical/diagonal del plancton. Esto permite determinar la abundancia y distribución del mesozooplancton.

Red de bongó
Lavado de la muestra por la red bongó
Un barco de investigación tira horizontalmente de una red de bongo a través de la columna de agua.

Una red bongó consta de dos redes de plancton montadas una al lado de la otra. Estas redes de plancton son redes de anillos con un ancho de malla pequeño y una forma de embudo largo. Ambas redes están encerradas por un copo que se utiliza para recolectar plancton. Un barco de investigación tira horizontalmente de la red bongo a través de la columna de agua. Usando una red bongo, un científico puede trabajar con dos anchos de malla diferentes simultáneamente.

Asistiendo a Toby con la red Isaacs-Kidd
Red Isaacs-Kidd
Dimensiones de la red Isaacs-Kidd

La red de arrastre de media agua Isaacs-Kidd recolecta especímenes biológicos batipelágicos más grandes que los capturados por las redes de plancton estándar. La red de arrastre consiste en una red específicamente diseñada unida a una amplia paleta de buceo rígida en forma de V. La veleta mantiene abierta la boca de la red y ejerce una fuerza de presión, manteniendo la red de arrastre en profundidad durante períodos prolongados a velocidades de remolque de hasta 5 nudos. La abertura de entrada no está obstruida por el cable de remolque.

Muestras recolectadas

una vista de cerca de una mano sosteniendo un frasco transparente con una tapa blanca. Este frasco contiene la muestra recolectada por la red vertical. Dado que esta red se dirige al plancton, la muestra en su mayoría parece agua turbia y amarillenta. — Muestras de red vertical

una vista de primer plano del contenido de un recipiente blanco, tal vez un balde. Este contiene la muestra recolectada de la red bongo. Es una mezcla espesa de plancton, zooplancton, krill y al menos un pez pequeño. — Muestras de red vertical

Muestasas de Isaacs-Kidd
Kril recolectado de Isaacs-Kidd

Registro personal

¡ATAQUE DE TIBURÓN!

Así es, nuestro uCTD fue atacado por un tiburón.

una vista a través de un aparejo de metal de una polea con un cable que se extiende hasta la superficie del océano. ya no hay nada conectado al cable. — Q.D.P.

En un día brillante y soleado, el equipo científico decidió lanzar el CTD en curso, ¡pero las cosas no salieron según lo planeado! Al recuperar el uCTD de regreso al barco, vimos una gran aleta dorsal zigzagueando cerca del uCTD, hasta que notamos que el uCTD ya no estaba conectado a la línea, por lo que no tuvimos más remedio que cancelar el uCTD. Deberías haber visto todas nuestras caras; no podíamos creer lo que vimos. Creemos que podría haber sido un:

una imagen de un tiburón blanco nadando bajo el agua. — Tiburón Blanco

una imagen de un tiburón salmón nadando bajo el agua. — Tiburón Blanco

vista de una mano que sostiene un perfilador submarino de conductividad, temperatura y profundidad (uCTD). en el fondo hay una pintura en la puerta de un gabinete de un barco blanco navegando a través de las olas y criaturas marinas algo fantásticas nadando debajo. — uCTD
(lo que se comió el tiburón)

CTD significa conductividad (salinidad), temperatura y (Depth) profundidad y permite a los investigadores recopilar perfiles de temperatura y salinidad de la parte superior del océano a velocidades en curso, a profundidades de hasta 500 m. Los exploradores oceánicos a menudo usan mediciones CTD para detectar evidencia de volcanes, respiraderos hidrotermales y otras características de aguas profundas que causan cambios en las propiedades físicas y químicas del agua de mar.

Atardecer en el Océano Pacífico, visto desde la cubierta superior del barco NOAA Bell M. Shimada. El marco de la red de arrastre, los pescantes y otros equipos en la cola de popa son visibles en silueta. — Atardecer a bordo

August 23, 2022August 24, 2022

Michael Gutiérrez Santiago: Newport Hydrographic Line, August 18, 2022

Lea esta publicación en español: Michael Gutiérrez Santiago: Línea Hidrográfica de Newport, 18 de agosto de 2022

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Michael Gutiérrez Santiago

NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada

August 12 – August 25, 2022

Mission: Pacific Hake Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Coasts of Washington and Oregon

Date: August 18, 2022

Weather conditions from the bridge:

Latitude: 4539.9725N
Longitude: 12422.9606W
Temperature: 63°F
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Barometer: 1017.2mb

Michael poses for a photo to show off his gear: orange Grundens (rubber overalls) over a black sweatshirt, an orange life vest, a yellow hard hat, and sunglasses. — Ready for plankton sampling!

Science and Technology Log

Newport Hydrographic Line

One way scientists assess the health of our ocean’s ecosystems is to take samples of zooplankton and ichthyoplankton (fish eggs and larvae), both on the surface of the water and at depth. Observations of these plankton can inform us greatly about productivity at the bottom of the food chain, spawning location and stock size of adults, dispersal of larval fish and crabs to and away from nursery areas, and transport of ocean currents.

The Newport Hydrographic (Newport Line) is an oceanographic research survey conducted by NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center and Oregon State University scientists in the coastal waters off Newport, Oregon.

Researchers have collected physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic metrics along the Newport Line every two weeks for over 20 years. This twenty-plus year dataset helps us to understand the connections between changes in ocean-climate and ecosystem structure and function in the California Current.

Data from the Newport Line are distilled into ocean ecosystem indicators, used to characterize the habitat and survival of juvenile salmonids, and which have also shown promise for other stocks such as sablefish, rockfish, and sardine. These data also provide critical ecosystem information on emerging issues such as marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms.

a map of the coast of Washington and Oregon. the land is shaded gray, while the water includes a few blue lines indicating underwater topography. Though there are not grid lines, labels mark the latitude lines from 43 degrees North to 47 degrees North and the longitude lines from 125 degrees West to 123 degrees West. Midway, between 44 and 45 degrees North, a short red line extends horizontally out from Newport to the 125th meridian. It's labeled "NH Line" — Newport line

Barometer of ocean acidification and hypoxia in a changing climate

Global climate models suggest future changes in coastal upwelling will lead to increased incidence of hypoxia and further exacerbate the effects of ocean acidification. The Newport Line time-series provides a baseline of biogeochemical parameters, such as Aragonite saturation state—an indicator of acidic conditions. Researchers can compare this baseline against possible future changes in the abundance of organisms (e.g., pteropods, copepods and krill) sensitive to ocean acidification and hypoxia.

Equipment used

Vertical/half meter net
Getting the vertical net in the water
Vertical net deployed vertically in the water from a research vessel

A vertical net is a ring net with a small mesh width and a long funnel shape. At the end, the net is closed off with a cylinder (cod-end) that collects the plankton. It is deployed vertically in the water from a research vessel. It is mostly used to investigate the vertical/diagonal stratification of plankton. This allows the abundance and distribution of mesozooplankton to be determined.

Bongo net
Washing the sample down the bongo net
A bongo net is drawn horizontally through the water column by a research vessel

A bongo net consists of two plankton nets mounted next to each other. These plankton nets are ring nets with a small mesh width and a long funnel shape. Both nets are enclosed by a cod-end that is used for collecting plankton. The bongo net is pulled horizontally through the water column by a research vessel. Using a bongo net, a scientist can work with two different mesh widths simultaneously.

Assisting Toby with Isaacs-Kidd net
Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl
Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl dimension

Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl collects bathypelagic biological specimens larger than those taken by standard plankton nets. The trawl consists of the specifically designed net attached to a wide, V-shaped, rigid diving vane. The vane keeps the mouth of the net open and exerts a depressing force, maintaining the trawl at depth for extended periods at towing speeds up to 5 knots. The inlet opening is unobstructed by the towing cable.

What we got?

a close-up view of a hand holding a clear jar with a white lid. This jar contains the sample collected by the vertical net. Since this net targets plankton, the sample mostly looks like cloudy, yellowish water. — Samples from vertical net

a close-up view of the contents of a white container, perhaps a bucket. This contains the sample collected from the bongo net. It's a soupy mixture of plankton, zooplankton, krill, and at least one small fish. — Samples from vertical net

Isaacs-Kidd sample
Krill from the Isaacs-Kidd

Personal Log

SHARK ATTACK!

That’s right, our underway CTD was attacked by a shark.

a view through a metal rigging of a pully with a cable extending down to the ocean's surface. there is no longer anything attached to the cable. — R.I.P.

On a bright and sunny day, the science team decided to launch the underway CTD, but things didn’t go as planned! Retrieving the uCTD back to the ship we saw a big dorsal fin zigzagging close to the uCTD, until we noticed that the uCTD was no longer attached to the line, therefore we had no choice that to cancel the uCTD. You should have seen all of our faces; we couldn’t believe what we saw. We think it could have been a:

a stock image of a white shark swimming underwater. — White shark

a stock image of a salmon shark swimming underwater. — White shark

view of a hand holding an underwater conductivity, temperature, and depth (uCTD) profiler. in the background is a painting on a cabinet door of a white ship sailing through waves and somewhat fantastical deep sea creatures swimming below. — underway CTD
(what the shark ate)

CTD stands for conductivity (salinity), temperature, and depth and it enables researchers to collect temperature and salinity profiles of the upper ocean at underway speeds, to depths of up to 500 m. Ocean explorers often use CTD measurements to detect evidence of volcanoes, hydrothermal vents, and other deep-sea features that cause changes to the physical and chemical properties of seawater.

Sunset on the Pacific Ocean, as seen from an upper deck of NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada. The trawl net frame, davits, and other equipment on the fantail are visible in silhouette. — Sunset on board

July 10, 2022July 10, 2022

Laura Grimm: Most Valuable Player? July 9, 2022

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Laura Grimm

Aboard NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson

July 4 – July 22, 2022

Mission: Hydrographic Survey of Lake Erie

Geographic Area of Cruise: Lake Erie

Date: July 9, 2022

Weather Data from the Bridge

Latitude: 42ᵒ 08’3N

Longitude: 080ᵒ 16’2W

Sky Conditions: Few clouds

Wind Speed: 23.0 knots

Wind Direction: 030ᵒ NNE

Lake Temperature: 21.4 ᵒC

Wave Height: 4 -6 feet

Dry Bulb: 19.7 ᵒC

Wet Bulb: 16.6 ᵒC

Calculated Relative Humidity: 74%

Visibility: 10+ miles

screenshot of software displaying a nautical chart and many parallel colored lines — An Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) display of our current hydrographic survey progress. ECDIS is a system used for nautical navigation that serves as an alternative to paper nautical charts. The colorful lines indicate where we have used the Multibeam Echo Sensor (MBES) to measure the depth and physical features of the lake bottom.

Science and Technology Log

As explained in a previous blog, hydrographic survey uses sound energy. NOAA hydrographers use various tools to measure the speed of sound from the time it is sent out to the time it is received as an echo. Sound waves traveling through water of different density cause refraction (or bending) of the energy wave. The density of water is affected by the salinity, temperature, and depth of the water. Scientists need to measure these parameters (things) and then use this knowledge to correct the data depending upon the properties of the water the sound is traveling through. (If you have been following this blog, nothing so far is new.)

Today’s question is how is the temperature and salinity of a column of water measured? Hydrographers use different types of tools to measure the temperature, salinity, and water depth. As a group, these tools are called “sound velocity profilers”. A conductivity, temperature, and depth sensor (CTD) can measure these three things in a column of water and then it calculates the speed of sound in water using a formula called the Chen-Millero equation. (I do not claim at all to understand this equation!)

To make matters more interesting, there are two (I’m sure there are more than two, however, to simplify things, we will assume that there are only two) types of CTDs. One type is sent overboard when the ship is not moving. The other type can be used when the ship is moving. Using a CTD while the ship is moving is a great thing, because to get good data, CTD data must be taken frequently (every 1-4 hours) and this big ship is difficult to stop!

a digital illustration of an award ribbon reading "MVP" — Most Valuable Player Award

NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson has both types of CTD sensors. They rely heavily on the type that can be used when the ship is moving. In fact, it is so important that we call it our MVP. This does not stand for Most Valuable Player – although it is extremely important! A moving vessel profiler (MVP) can be used to measure the water column when the ship is moving at regular survey speeds (8-10 knots). It kind of looks like a torpedo. The MVP system can be set up to drop to a given depth determined by the hydrographers in charge of the project – not to shallow & not too deep . . . just right.

a moving vessel profiler sitting on deck of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson. It looks like a small torpedo standing on end. A life preserver ring is mounted on the rail in the background. — *Moving Vessel Profiler (MVP) utilized by NOAA field units.*

close-up of a label on the moving vessel profiler control station, which reads: AML Oceanographic, www.AMLoceanographic.com, +1 250 656 0771, MVP Moving Vessel Profiler — *Here is the information should you want to order a MVP. :o)*

a control panel for the moving vessel profiler: we see buttons, knobs, what looks like a joystick — *After the MVP is put in the water, it can deployed and controlled with a computer in the Plot Room.*

a crane lowers the moving vessel profiler into the water — *The MVP is placed overboard and into the water using a crane.*

It can be controlled remotely with a computer without needing someone to be on deck. Deploying the MVP is called a “cast”. The benefit of deploying a sound speed profiler like the MVP while the ship is moving is significant. It is a real time-saver! Surveyors do not need to stop the ship at regular intervals – this makes their time at sea much more efficient.

Yesterday, I got the opportunity to deploy the MVP. From the acquisition desk in the plot room, one first needs to get permission from the bridge (the “upstairs office” filled with people driving and navigating the ship), to take a “cast”. The conversation over the intercom goes something like this:

Laura: “Bridge, this is Survey.”

Bridge: “Go ahead Survey.”

Laura: “May I please take an MVP cast?”

Bridge: (If the area is clear of small boats and obstructions, they will respond,) “Go ahead Survey.”

Laura: (Once permission is granted, all you need to do is to push the “start” button. A lot of cable attached to the MVP automatically pays out and it drops to a set depth, a few meters above the bottom. Once this started to happen, I informed the Bridge by saying,) “Fish is away.”

Bridge: “Copy.”

Laura: (After reaching the designated depth, the cable drum turns quickly in reverse and hauls the MVP back up to near the surface. I finished by saying,) “Cast complete”.

I was a bit nervous talking to the bridge, but I think I did okay.

screenshot of a computer screen with readout from the moving vessel profiler, including a graph showing the depth over time — This is the computer that controls the MVP. The Hydrographer In Charge (HIC) does this from the acquisition desk in the Plot Room. The blue line above shows the movement of the MVP and its location in the water column. It was sent down to 1.5 meters above the floor of the lake.

Meet the Crew

Sydney peers into a compass mounted on a post on deck — *Sydney Catoire is using a gyro compass to get a visual reading on a prominent antenna near Erie, PA.*

Sydney Catoire is a Lieutenant in the NOAA Corps. (More about the NOAA Corps in a future blog post.) She is an Operations Officer in Training (OPS IT). Sydney comes from a Navy family and grew up on Virginia Beach, VA. Ms. Catoire studied marine biology and mathematics at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Wanting to combine aspects of the Navy as well as work as a scientist led her to apply to the NOAA Corps. She received her Master of Science in Geospatial Information Sciences (GIS) while working for the Office of Coast Survey.

Why is your work important? The safety of navigation is our primary goal as hydrographers. We use the data to update nautical charts to make it safe to sail. The bathymetric products provided are open source (free for anyone to download and use) and are used for ocean and lake bed mapping. For example, the data can be used for tsunami storm surge modeling, coastal erosion, and habitat mapping. All this data is super critical and is used by a wide variety of scientific organizations and research institutions.

How will your job change once you become an Operations Officer (OPS)? She will still be involved with the day-to-day workings of the hydrographic survey, however, once she becomes an OPS, she will take a leadership role in the survey, assigning sheets (areas to survey), and mentoring sheet managers who develop the line plans (the path that the ship travels to complete the survey). In other words, she will decide on the most efficient methods to “mow the lawn.” She will also help to train junior officers, organize the processing of the data, and work directly with the Office of Coast Survey Hydrographic Division.

What is the thing about your job you like the most? She likes being on the bridge, navigating and driving the ship, as well as looking out the window for marine life – which lately has been very limited since we are sailing on the Great Lakes.

Tell us a few things about yourself outside of being an OPS IT. Sydney and her sister have a dog named, Max. She likes to scuba dive, hike, and hang out with her family and nephews when she is on shore.

Good Luck, Sydney as you strive to become an Operations Officer! For not originally knowing about this career path you sure have excelled and are an example for others with similar interests.

Personal Log

All the people on TJ have been very nice and hospitable. They freely answer my questions and are fun to hang out with during meals. There are three people, however, who are super important to the smooth sailing of TJ. They are the stewards, Ace & Brent and the Chief Steward, Miss Parker. I never imagined that the food would be so varied and tasty! A well-fed crew = a happy crew!

Menu for Monday 5 July 2022: Breakfast: Egg to Order, etc. Lunch: Chicken Cordon Blue, Soft Shell Crab Portabella Mushroom, etc. Dinner: Prime Rib w / Au Jus, Baked salmon w/ brown sugar glaze, fried tofu, etc. — *Each day the menu is posted outside of the galley. Just look at Tuesday’s offerings!*

plate of food and place settings — *Roasted duck, grilled vegetables, and wild rice. Just a normal meal on the TJ.*

*Beautifully decorated three-layer cake with strawberry icing and filling.*

three stewards stand in the galley behind a serving line. Ms. Parker and Ace wear aprons. — *The Heroes of the Galley (from left to right): Brent, Miss Parker, and Ace.*

For the little Dawgs . . .

Q: Where is Dewey today? Hint: it is the back of the ship.

Dewey the beanie monkey perches on a rail of some sort, with a pole behind him, and the wake of the ship visible in the water — *Be careful, Dewey! We don’t want you to fall into the water!*

A: Dewey is sitting on the stern of the ship. The propellers are under the stern.

Dewey the beanie monkey sits on the rail on the ship's stern, and the wake of the ship is visible behind — *Dewey is sitting on the stern of the ship. “Stern” rhymes with “learn”. We are learning the different parts of the ship.*

Well, that’s all for today. Spending time aboard NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson has been a terrific learning experience. I am so thankful for the opportunity!