Journals 2008/2009

Megan O'Neill
Fairhope High School, Fairhope, Alabama

"Thermal Tolerance of Antarctic Fishes" R/V Laurence M. Gould April 21 - June 11, 2009

Journal Index: April 17/18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25         26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 May 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11        12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20        21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29        30 - 31 June 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11

June 3, 2009
Final Dissections!

Kristin and Irina started out the morning with the final fish dissections. I went out to the outside tanks with Kristin to collect the G. gibberifrons victims. There were only a few fish remaining in the tank, and Kristin wanted the largest ones, as the test she and Irina were running is for their hearts. The amount of heart tissue required was 2.5 grams. These are one of the red-blooded Antarctic fish species, therefore their hearts are much smaller than the white blooded. In order to get the required 2.5 grams, it takes several of the fish because each heart weighs on average 0.5 grams. I recorded the weights and lengths of the fish and Irina started to process the tissues. Irina made a cake last night to celebrate the final dissections that we will enjoy tonight!

Besides wrapping up the science experiments, the waste from the lab has to be sorted and forms have to be filled out to dispose of each chemical properly. (Reference yesterday's journal on the expenses and headaches of lab waste!) This is all part of the "cradle to grave" documentation required for this waste. Forms have to follow these chemicals from every hand that they go through until they get to their final resting place back in the U.S. or are incinerated or made inert. Pat is the lab manager, so not only is it coordinated with the wasties but organized by her as well. Lots of checks and balances for sure!