Busy busy busy

We started working! The first week we were busy sailing to the Amundsen Sea and preparing for iron-free sampling, validating iron measurements and experiments. Since we sail on an iron ship it takes a bit to prevent iron contamination. First trick was to build a “bubble”. A part of the lab is shielded by plastic and the air passes through a filter. In the bubble Matt and I walk around in white suits to clean our bottles while keeping dust out, which can contain iron. Zim, the technician who built it with our help has been nominated to “bubblemaster” after we measured 1000 x less dust particles inside the bubble compared to outside. For this we used the dust particle counter of Patrick (yes, those devices exist) en Zim was all proud. The next trick to get the samples on board without iron contamination is using a kevlar cable for the suspension of the bottles, instead of an iron cable. This kevlar cable was supposed to be on board, but upon closer inspection it looked suspiciously thin and was not made of kevlar at all! We envisioned our water samples dropping of to the seafloor, if the cable was not strong enough, so we first performed a stress test. The cable seems strong enough, but we got pretty nervous (and slept badly for two nights). But the frame with 12 liter bottles (6 of them) fortunately surfaced each time and we have calmed down a bit.

And the science has started! Chris was the first who started his experiments succesfully, but by now we are all up to speed. The test station caused some cursing and grumbling, but that is part of the experience. Leaking filter units and a cold room that gets warmer and more of those inconveniences. But the first hurdles have been taken and we are in business! I performed my first experiments and it looks as if the algae react differently than last year (I am not sure if I should be happy, but at least it is reproducible).

Patrick and Charlie determine iron levels and have their equipment operational. Gert is potting his first photosynthesis plot as we speak and is very proud of the results (and rightfully so). Yesterday we started the first big experiment, which took 6 people simultaneously doing different things with sea water and that went very smoothly without any cursing and grumbling. After 3 hours of running around we looked at each other: “We are already done!”

In the mean time it is incredibly beautiful outside. The icebergs are amazing, even more so than last year. We saw the first Adelie penguins on a large piece of floating ice, in a scenery of white icebergs. Yesterday people were dropped off on the ice to drill ice cores and two Adelie penguins came by for a look. The tracks of the people and penguins mingled in the snow, and also people in polar suits and penguins move alike!
Also it is light the entire night, and it feels ridiculous to go the sleep while the sun is still high in the sky. The weather is great and the scenery couldn't be better. Too bad we have to close our eyes now and then...