Day 3 - May 14
Weather Report
Time : 10 AM
Air Temperature : 7.9 degrees C
Sea Temperature : 9.5 degrees C
Wind Speed :7.8 kts
Water Depth : 185 meters
Today
the R/V Thomas G. Thompson stopped at 8 AM to launch a water sampling
device that includes a CTD package, which stands for
"conductivity, temperature, and depth." The sampling pack gives an
instantaneous read out of water column properties, like temperature,
salinity, and amount of light, to name a few. The device also includes
an array of bottles called a rosette to collect water samples. The
apparatus was lowered from the ship to the surface of the ocean
allowing the sensors to adjust to ambient temperature. The CTD
and rosette are carefully lowered to the ocean's floor by a cable that
communicates data to a computer on board. The bottles attached to the
rosette are open at both ends for the trip down, allowing ocean water
to flow through.
From the ocean floor as the apparatus is cautiously brought to the surface,
scientists viewing a computer screen, with a read out from the CTD
sensors determine at which depths the bottles are fired. Individual
bottles are remotely closed at various depths, thus capturing the sea
water at that level. Upon return to the ocean's surface the
device is hoisted onto the starboard deck. Scientists gather the
samples from the bottles and perform tests in laboratories on board.
The weather today is partly sunny and the seas are calm. It makes life
for the scientists less complicated when the ship isn't rocking.
A boom was extended perpendicularly from the starboard side today. A
torpedo looking device was was lowered into the ocean. The "fish" will
swim parallel to the vessel at a speed of approximately 2 knots and a
depth determined by the scientist. The "fish " is connected to the
ship via a cable from the boom. A hose runs from the "fish" to tanks on
board collecting sea water at four liters per minute. This water will
also be used for testing water column properties.
Send comments and questions to Mr. Caddigan
Return to Home Page