April 27 2008
April 27 2008
Comments from Daniel Wagner:
My name is Daniel Wagner, a graduate student at the University of Hawaii, and I am one of the biologists onboard this cruise. We have been at sea for a little over a week now, so I thought that its time to share some of my recent experiences...
My role on this cruise is mainly to help out in processing biological material after it has been collected. This involves tasks such as sorting through samples in order to separate animals to the lowest taxonomic grouping (ideally species), preserving samples so they can be analyzed later in the laboratory, and maintaining a database of everything we collect as part of this cruise.
My work schedule is therefore very much tied to when we collect samples. This is in turn dependent on when weather conditions permit sampling, and therefore my work schedule is definitively not a regular 8-5 routine. Thus far most of our trawls (the way we collect biological samples) have been performed at night, so I had to get used to sleeping whenever I am not needed.
Some of our work requires that biological samples stay fresh after having been collected. For instance, we try to keep some specimens alive in order to observe some of their behavior. Additionally, we are collecting samples for future genetic analyses, where we need to preserve specimens as fresh as possible in order to avoid degeneration of DNA. To keep specimens fresh a lot of the material is immediately put inside a large walk-in refrigerator after it is brought onboard. This is where I spend a lot of time after collections. It is quite funny. After having spent a long time on deck in the freezing Antarctic conditions to help bring the samples on board, I go inside only to go straight into a freezer...I guess there is no escaping the cold for me.
When I am not working, I like to make use of the many recreational facilities the ship has to offer: a sauna, movie room with an extensive film selection, a basketball half-court and even a gym. Working out in a gym, inside a ship that is rocking from side to side is quite an interesting experience; it really defies your equilibrium. My favorite is running on the treadmill when the ship is swaying back and forth.
So far the cruise has been a tremendous experience. Having lived in tropical climates virtually my entire life, every day brings me in contact with something that is completely new to me: the spectacle of icebergs all around the ship, the sight of penguins, seeing snow fall out of the sky, or even the piercing pain on your fingers after they have been submerged in cold water for a prolonged time. All in all, we are successfully working towards the goals of this cruise and enjoying our time onboard. There have been few casualties, with the exception of my innocent Ipod that I sent through the washer and dryer. I guess I will have to entertain myself by listening to the soothing sounds of the Antarctic breezes...
Aloha,
Daniel Wagner