HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
We celebrated the 4th of July with biogeochemistry! Karen Cameron and her team of students brought us out to their field site near the Russel Glacier, showed us their collection methods, and helped us collect our own samples! We had some vehicular troubles getting out to the field, though - there wasn't a shortage in cars, just in cars that would run! Eventually we all made it there and back, and we brought the samples back to the lab at KISS for processing. Each group prepared a slide of microbes and examined it using a special microscope equipped with a UV light. The light served to illuminate the dye we used on the slides, making the microbes easier to see. In addition to working with Karen and her microscope, we also tested water samples for iron content with Kyla, one of Karen's students. Apparently, the tap water we used for comparison had a negative iron content....or it COULD have been a flaw on our part (not that we ever make mistakes ;) ). My group also placed our geocache today! We hid it in the area near Karen's site - maybe one of you blog readers will find it!
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| Shelly was not particularly happy about the whole car thing |
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| Karen's students at their field site |
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| Testing water samples with Kyla at KISS |
Our evening activities involved a festive 4th of July barbecue with lots of food and even brownies! The only thing missing was the firework display. We (the Americans) gave a short presentation on the history of the 4th of July and talked a little bit about how and why we celebrate the holiday. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the day - it was so much fun! (There are some great photos on Facebook)
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