Our First Station
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When the ship reaches a station, the location where the scientists want to collect their data, the acoustic transducer is lowered into the water. The transducer acts like a “telescope” underwater by sending sound waves down. These sound waves bounce off of the layers of animals and create picture of the layers of animals. The data are put into a computer model to help analyze the data collected and to help the scientists know at what depth to fish the nets.
Assistant Professor Kevin Boswell, Reading the Acoustic Data
MOCHNESS Operator Gray Lawson
After scientists have taken readings with the transducer, the MOCNESS nets are lowered and deployed at different depths that range from 1500 meters to the surface. The process of the nets being lowered and collecting samples can take several hours. The MOCNESS is made up of six different nets. Net 0 goes down open to the deepest depth. When Net 0 is closed, Net 1 opens. The rest of the nets open at specific depths. For example Net 1 may collect samples from 1500 meters to 1200 meters. The next net would collect from 1200 to 1000 meters. All of the net openings and closing and the data associated with the nets is controlled from a computer inside the ship.
Lowering the nets Nets in the water
When the nets are brought up scientists go through a process to identify the organisms that are collected. They are identified by specialists, weighed, measured and in some cases DNA samples are taken. For other samples, some parts of their body are selected to look for an accumulation of mercury or hydrocarbons (from the oil spill).
Sorting the Organisms
Teacher At Sea,
Christia Hewlett
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Comments
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Wednesday, 04 May 2016
Lexi-
My favorite thing that we have found so far with the “Spook Fish” that I mentioned to Faith. It is almost clear, but with large round eyes that face upward. I will see we if we can post a picture from the photographer -
Tuesday, 03 May 2016Christia,
Hope you are doing well. It looks exciting. D.Donehoo -
Tuesday, 03 May 2016
hello my name is louren from the cutler bay COAST program I was just wondering how do you group up different organisms \('-')/
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Friday, 06 May 2016
When the organisms are sorted they are given to specific scientists to identify. Some of the scientists specialized in fish, others specialize in cephalopods, and some specialize in crustaceans. Other items might be general know or taken back for other specialists.
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Wednesday, 04 May 2016
Hello,my name is Karlee and I am a COAST student at Cutler Bay Middle. I was just wondering, what is the approximate wait time to receive any data or information from after sending down the sound waves from the transducer?
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Friday, 06 May 2016
Karlee, when they send down the sound waves they can get immediate feedback. I will be posting more on the acoustics in an upcoming post.
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Wednesday, 04 May 2016
Christia,
We miss you! Anatomy class wants to know how your doing with your "sea legs," and if you have had any issues with eating! -
Thursday, 05 May 2016
For the first day everything that went down came back up. But one the second day I was feeling much better! My medicine was working and the seas were not as rough.
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Wednesday, 04 May 2016
Hey! I'm Austin from cutler bay middle school and i was wondering how many days did it take to get there?
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Friday, 06 May 2016
Austin,
It took us 18 hours to get to the first station (or collection point.) We have certain locations that we are targeting and we are moving between those locations. You can see the stations on the main page and track where we are collecting.
Hi Ms Hewlett, This is Lexi from your class. What is one of your favorite specimens you have seen so far?