First thing this morning, I went out to the dive hole to chip out the ice that formed overnight and to run the compressor so I could refill the dive tanks. It was a beautiful morning for a walk. I love the silence that can be felt in this area. The air was still and there was no sound except my feet scrunching the hard packed snow and ice beneath them and the occasional pop from the Canada glacier as she slowly moves. The blue hue in the ice is just spectacular; it's like blue jade. I enjoy looking at all the shapes and angles of the lake ice that are being heaved up along the edge of the Canada glacier.
We made some repairs to the dive equipment so that we could continue with our work safely. When all was ready, I got suited up to dive. My first task today was to deploy a light meter beside Hal; Hal is the underwater profiler which will measure oxygen and pH levels in the water as well as in the microbial mat. Once deployed, I took a few photos of Hal in the water. The researchers will use these photos to determine if they want anything moved before the big first run of the measurements. After a few photos, I attached a lift bag to Hal and brought him back to the surface. He was removed from the water temporarily while Kay placed the official probes (which are incredibly valuable and fragile) onto Hal. With help from Kay and I, Ian was able to successfully redeploy Hal with probes intact! It was a bit nerve wracking lowering Hal down the dive hole without the sensors hitting the side of the dive hole, or being bumped by cables, or support ropes! Ian masterfully set Hal back into position. Hal is now collecting data! Hal is able to collect data significantly faster than humans can! Hal is being left out overnight to continue gathering data which will be analyzed in the morning. It was a successful day!
On my way out to refill the dive tanks, I paused for a few minutes to enjoy the view up into Taylor Valley. This is actually Lake Hoare with the massive ice chunks that are getting heaved up along the edge. The Suez Glacier can be seen seeping into the valley from the right.
It is difficult to get a sense of scale here. I walked out to these ice chunks and took a "self portrait" picture. I stood in front of the tallest block in the picture. See if you can match up where I was with the photo below.
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To try to show you how large these blocks are, I stood in front of the tallest "section". My head, while standing, is just below the high portion of the block. |
I took this picture from the dive hole looking back towards the Canada glacier. Can you see why there is no ice skating on Lake Hoare?!
The Canada Glacier is magnificent. Under different lighting conditions it seems to change colors. It is as if the glacier has different moods that emanate from its soul.
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Our dive hole looks bit like a hot spring! (I WISH!!)
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Kay places the official sensors onto Hal's frame.
(These next few photos are a bit out of order - sorry!) |
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Peter takes the casual approach to dive tending! Not really -he was just resting while Hal got ready to re-launch! |
Ian and Kay discuss how to maneuver Hal down the dive hole without "bonking" the delicate probes.
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I'm getting suited up to deploy the light sensor (to the right of me) and to bring Hal back to the surface.
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Taking the light sensor down to Hal! The scientists want the light meter to be beside Hal so they can determine how much sun light is reaching the mat. This is important information to be able to determine at what rate photosynthesis occurs. |
Hal, in position during the practice run. He was brought back to this spot once the actual probes were in place.
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Hal and the light meter. It almost looks like they are sitting there chatting with each other! It sounds like it might be easy to deploy these instruments, but remember, we are not supposed to touch or disturb the mat. The mat is VERY sensitive, one misdirected kick of the fin can wash a large swath of mat out of place! |
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Here is some of the actual data being sent back to the surface from Hal. The green line is pH and the blue line is oxygen. From this data, Kay and Ian can determine exactly where the interface between the matt and the water occurs. This data is accurate to within .02 mm. That's impressive!
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After a long day's work (it's now 11:45 pm), I enjoy curling up in my sleeping bag with my favorite penguin hat given to me by all my friends at Rye Junior High. Thanks for the hat - it keeps me very warm!
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