NANO ALUMNI IN THE FIELD SMART summer school training experience Shaazia Mohammed and Subrata Sarker Wikipage : h p://www.nf-pogo-alumni.org/ ~Shaazia+Mohammed Wikipage : h p://www.nf-pogo-alumni.org/~Subrata+Sarker
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ur trip to Ireland was one filled with excitement and an cipa on. The SMART summer school program was an opportunity us coral fana cs could not resist. We were able to u lize the skills learnt in the Observa onal Oceanography program applying theore cal knowledge of biological, chemical and physical dynamics of the ocean to cold water corals. On our first day in Cork Dr Pauhla McGrane (coordinator of SMART summer school program) and her team provided a one day workshop to brief us on our inves ga on site and sampling methods. All of which we would use to explore the cold water coral mounds in the Atlan c Ocean. It was here we were also allowed to give flash presenta ons of our past and current research projects. We soon realized how diverse each of our exper se was, bringing some nostalgia of our own POGO family back in Germany. The first bit of excitement came when we were challenged with Shaazia and Subrata just concluded the the intensive Personal Survival Training (PST) course at the Na onal Mari me NF-POGO Centre of Excellence in the AlCollege of Ireland (NMCI). Training combined both theore cal and prac cal infred Wegner Ins tute. Ms Mohammed’s struc ons on emergency survival and evacua on procedures. The prac cal sesresearch interests are thermal stress sion was a bit more intense, as we geared up into our immersion suits jumped and subsequently coral bleaching while into a swimming pool simulated to capture a scenario of stormy thunder shower Mr Sarker studies coastal defense, clicondi ons. It was here friendships were created as we had to trust each other in order to pass the course. In the end we all passed with flying colors much to mate change, aqua c bio-diversity and our relief. This same day we were scheduled to leave the port. Excitement was ecosystem modelling on everyone’s face as we pulled up to the Cel c Explorer. Our first evening on board the ship included a tour and emergency drill. The crew and chefs were very accommoda ng ensuring we were all se led in. The next day our shi teams of four were formed as we arrived on site. A drop camera was sent down, recording an amazing video of life 1000 meters below mean seal level. This method was new to our POGO team and we were all amazed and curious to see these organisms in their natural environment. On this same day it was no surprise to send the box corer to retrieve a sample. We all rushed into the wet lab as the box corer came onto the deck. Dressed in full Personal Protec ve Equipment (PPE) supplied by the Alfred Wegener Ins tute (AWI), we were ready to get our hands dirty. Analysis of the sediments and determina on of the coral species and other benthic life were performed and samples preserved for further analysis. On the night shi as the boat cruised at 5 knots, the topography of the mounds in which these cold water corals exist was inves gated using mul -beam. This instrument applies the acous c properes of sound in water detec ng the reflectance of the waves used to determine the inclina on of the sediment bed. The second day a transect of 8 sta ons across coral mounds was performed to accumuShaazia, Mathew, Dr Karen Wiltlate a profile of the water column for sashire, Subrata and Lobsang linity, temperature, oxygen, fluorescence and density parameters using the CTD Mathew, Subrata and Shazia a ached to the Rose e Sampler. Water during Safety Drill samples from different depths were also taken to determine plankton and nutrient concentra ons. Filtra on and fixave methods were employed. Plankton specialist Dr Alexandra Kraberg from AWI shared her knowledge of plankton species typical for this area and season from examina ons under the microscope. Our fellow colleague from POGO, Shaazia Mo-
Contact us: Suriyan.S@chula.ac.th, info@nf-pogo-alumni.org, lilian.krug@nf-pogo-alumni.org NANO website: www.nf-pogo-alumni.org
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