Blog entry by Jaqui Neibauer

Today was mainly devoted to biological research and sampling.  We occupied our first and second biology stations, at which Kati and Diego made some interesting discoveries.  The plankton tows that were carried out gathered massive amounts of plankton.  They concluded that a large phytoplankton bloom was occurring at the second biology station composed mainly of Thalassiotrix frauenfeldu Grunow and a species of Nitzschia.  Also found was a bright blue copepod, which Diego identified as Pontellina plumata. 

Incubations to asses primary production (Ben), phytoplankton growth, grazing and composition (Tasha and Wendy) and bacterial growth and grazing (AJ) began today.  AJ and Wendy are focusing on the effect of Iron on the growth and grazing of phytoplankton and bacteria.  The main goal of these incubation experiments is to understand the abundance and distribution of various organisms throughout the Galapagos archipelago. 

Tamra was in charge of completing some of Wes’ data processing, which was carried over from the first leg.  Silica and Phosphate measurements were made at six depths throughout the water column.

This evening marked the beginning of Hillary’s 12-hour EM300 seafloor mapping survey.  Other sampling equipment cannot be deployed while the EM300 survey is going on, so most of us had a chance to relax for a while.  Those who were supposed to be on watch were relieved of their duties during this time.  Some of us continued data analysis in the lab, and some of us took advantage of the opportunity to catch up on some sleep.  Hillary’s survey will run until about 12:30pm tomorrow, after which a third biology station will be occupied. 

Tasha Snow analyzes samples for chlorophyll content.

The bright blue copepod Pontellina plumata.

Hilairy Hall stands in front of Volcano Ecuador, where her seafloor mapping is taking place.