It’s not that bad after all – 4th blog entry
We start the day by collecting surface water microplastic samples in the central part of the lagoon. Andrius also collects phytoplankton samples and measures physical parameters of the water throughout the water column. Andrius says that both freshwater and saltwater are present in the central part of the lagoon at the same time – in the upper layers of the water, its salinity is close to 0 ppt, whereas in the lower layers – up to 25 ppt. The two water types are separated from a depth of 5 m by a 5 m thick mixing zone. The saltwater most likely enters the lagoon during storms, when it washes over the land from the sea that separates the lagoon from the bay.
Marta, Barbara and Andrius work very efficiently together and are happy about it. We continue the work in the southern part of the lagoon, where we collect microplastic samples from the surface water and a sediment core. We manage to collect the core on the second attempt and it is perfect – sediment of just the right consistency so that we can cut perfect slices for transportation and further processing. We go ashore for lunch and meet the another group of researchers, the Taiwanese collegues are collecting microplastic samples in the sand, while Dima and Sergey are collecting samples in the ponds for biological analysis. Since we are a little bit cold, we decide to move around and go to look at the permafrost outcrop that is located 20 minute walk away.
Photo: Christian Clauwers
After moving around, eating and regaining energy, we return to the boat to start searching for the sediment catcher. We can see it clearly on the echolot sensor and pass it several times – it is in exactly where we left it last year. We lower the hook system into the water to remove the sediment catcher, but it does not move at all. We fight with it for almost an hour. We try different methods, and after some time, circling around the coordinate point, Marta feels the rope tighten and exclaims “There!”. Everyone is elated – patience and perseverance finally paid off! Sediment catcher is placed on the boat and samples are preserved in jars. In high spirits, we head to the shore of Eidembukta Bay, from where we will be taken to the ship. While we wait for the “taxi” (boat from the ship) to arrive, we notice the rounded flat pebbles lying under our feet and remember the idea we discussed last night – we could play a round of poker if only we had chips. That’s it! We pick up the most chip-like stones and head to the boat. We have a delicious dinner, drink tea, and Dima and Andrius teach the Latvian researchers how to play poker.
Project “MP-ARCTIC” is implemented with the support of Latvian Council of Science.
