Progress in ocean ecophysiology and biochemical oceanography at the ULPGC Last week in the first KOSMOS-14 seminar, Ted reported on the latest activities of the ULPGC’s Plankton Ecophysiology group and showed how their research can be integrated into the KOSMOS-14 program. This group studies respiration, growth, nitrogen metabolism, and uses these primary measurements to calculate […]
End of experiment
For a moment we were relieved when the storm settled down and our nine mesocosms were still in place heads above surface. But we were anxiously waiting for the divers to carefully inspect our wave-battered mesocosms. Their reports and the underwater video footage they brought back were sobering. The scene below the surface was very […]
Mesocosms battered by storm force 10 winds and high seas
All fingers crossed for the mesocosms after the high winds this weekend. Gusts of up to 50 knots were recorded this morning whipping up the sea and setting the mesocosms bouncing on the waves.
Playing yo-yo …..
Precisely as forecasted the wind started to freshen up late afternoon yesterday. Luckily it came straight from the north, which at our mesocosm site allowed for some protection from the hefty wind sea. Not so the swell, which bended round into Melenara Bay. When the sun set, the waves reached up to 3 meters in […]
The acidification of the mesocosms
I was one of the lucky guys to be chosen among all to help with the CO2 addition this last Thursday. What to do? Putting 37 bottles of 25L seawater in the mesocosms. First of all we had to taste the water to check that is was acidified. To be sure I also swallowed it, […]
Treasure hunting on Gran Canaria
In the middle of finding the right lab space, getting a new power line that doesn’t switch, setting up instruments et cetera, Tania and Kerstin went treasure hunting! Steve and I urgently needed adaptors for the gas bottles, which arrived on the island on tuesday- as promised- and then sat at the airport, waiting. And […]
Mesokosms Security Guards (Portuguese Man-Of-War)// Los vigilantes de seguridad de los Mesocosmos (Las carabelas portuguesas)
The Mesokosms Security Guard also asked for our accreditation before allowing us to sample! Nobody is able to touch them!! Los Guardias de Seguridad de los Mesocosmos también nos pidieron la acreditación antes de permitirnos muestrear. ¡¡Nadie se atreve a tocarlos!!
Much better than a Gym // Mucho mejor que un gimnasio
As said in Operation “Sponge Bob”: SEA IS OUR GYM!!! What do we eat? FISH, WATER, AND PHYTOPLANKTON!!! Como dirían en el Método “Bob Esponja”: ¡¡¡ EL MAR ES NUESTRO GIMNASIO !!! ¿Qué comemos? ¡¡¡ PESCADO, AGUA Y FITOPLANCTON!!!
The T-6 sampling experience // La experiencia del muestreo en el T-6
Thanks Jan for your nice way of teaching us how to use the amazing Integrated Sampler Bottle!!!. We had a great time with you and our trace-metals colleagues! Cheers, the Ecophysiology Group from University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ¡Jan! ¡¡Muchísimas gracias por enseñarnos tan bien cómo utilizar el increíble ISB!! Pasamos un día […]
Blue bottles, sharks and other challenges
„Did you see sharks“ or „Can I join you next time“ are usually the first reactions, you get to hear, when people realise you are one of the scientific divers for the KOSMOS team. We have to admit that first of all the nicest thing is the water temperature, around 1°C when we started last […]