It's hard to believe we are already at our halfway point of the program. It feels like time has been flying by lately. I don't think I'll be ready to leave this place when the time comes, and I'll probably ugly cry when it does. So far, I've developed a solid routine here and have grown so fond of the beautiful campus. Whether it's a daily walk to OIMB beach or spotting a deer family drinking out of the creek, there are so many little things that make my day enjoyable. My research has been going smoothly as well. I have been trying to complete my photoresponse (light) experiments with Polyorchis. Afterward, I’ll be able to quantify the data I’ve obtained, so I can construct graphs and compare my Polyorchis results to Halimedusa. Since the Polyorchis are so abundant around the docks, I've had no issue finding individuals suitable for my experiments which is a relief. One of the other areas of my project that I'm beginning to explore is the abundance of the two species. To examine this, I'll be utilizing a plankton net tied off along the end of the dock during a flowing tide, following both lows. I chose this period so that there was sufficient flow through the net. With this method, I can quantify species abundance at the surface and bottom of the water column. Ideally, one sampling will be during the day while the other occurs at night to examine the distribution of Polyorchis and Halimedusa under different light conditions. To gather information on other parameters, I'll also be utilizing a CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth) device to document environmental conditions throughout the water column at the same time. Now, I'm just awaiting the arrival of a functional flow meter so I’ll be able to quantify how much seawater passes through the net. It's hard to believe we are already at our halfway point of the program. It feels like time has been flying by lately. I don't think I'll be ready to leave this place when the time comes, and I'll probably ugly cry when it does. So far, I've developed a solid routine here and have grown so fond of the beautiful campus. Whether it's a daily walk to OIMB beach or spotting a deer family drinking out of the creek, there are so many little things that make my day enjoyable. My research has been going smoothly as well. I have been trying to complete my photoresponse (light) experiments with Polyorchis. Afterward, I’ll be able to quantify the data I’ve obtained, so I can construct graphs and compare my Polyorchis results to Halimedusa. Since the Polyorchis are so abundant around the docks, I've had no issue finding individuals suitable for my experiments which is a relief. One of the other areas of my project that I'm beginning to explore is the abundance of the two species. To examine this, I'll be utilizing a plankton net tied off along the end of the dock during a flowing tide, following both lows. I chose this period so that there was sufficient flow through the net. With this method, I can quantify species abundance at the surface and bottom of the water column. Ideally, one sampling will be during the day while the other occurs at night to examine the distribution of Polyorchis and Halimedusa under different light conditions. To gather information on other parameters, I'll also be utilizing a CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth) device to document environmental conditions throughout the water column at the same time. Now, I'm just awaiting the arrival of a functional flow meter so I’ll be able to quantify how much seawater passes through the net. Other than research, Jacob, who works in Maslakova's lab, and I went and watched Black Widow in the movie theaters over the weekend. It was the first movie I have seen in the movie theaters in over two years! Honestly, it was also an enjoyable movie which made the experience great. Another funny thing to mention is that I've had to refrain from bringing a bucket to the docks when I collect individual jellies. I've developed a bad habit of just gathering anything and everything that looks interesting, leaving the sea table packed with so many different creatures. I did, however, find a Dendronotus iris floating along with a patch of seaweed. It's was probably the largest and one of the most fascinating nudibranchs I've ever seen.
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AuthorHello everyone! My name is Dominic Eastburn. I grew up in Fortuna, California. For the past two years, I have attended Green River Community College in Auburn, Washington. This fall, I am transferring to the University of Washington to pursue a BS in Oceanography. I am excited and grateful to be participating in Professor Kelly R. Sutherland's lab that focuses on the form, function, and flow of gelatinous zooplankton. Over the next nine weeks, I hope to develop valuable skills to prepare me for university and graduate school. Archives
August 2021
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