Senior Research Scientist Ben Twining has wrapped up his time aboard the RSS Sir David Attenborough, but we’re still sharing a few final updates from the IRON-MAN expedition in and around Antarctica.
Today, enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bottle uncontaminated seawater for trace metal analysis. Sounds simple enough, right? But: recall that the expedition is taking place on a ship with a steel hull. It takes a lot of careful maneuvering to avoid contamination!
ANTARCTIC DISPATCH 6: BOTTLING UNCONTAMINATED SOUTHERN OCEAN SEAWATER
As you may recall, the IRON-MAN project is focused on how trace metals like iron and manganese regulate phytoplankton growth and impact the carbon cycle. We’re cruising aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough, a steel-hulled vessel.
Collecting seawater that isn’t contaminated by the hull of the ship requires precision. As you can see in this video, it takes a village (and an indefatigable door opener!) to remove samples from the specially designed titanium rosette for trace metal analysis.
If the heart of a trace metal cruise is the vessel’s clean room, its soul is the all-star team behind the operation. Shout-outs to Maeve, Angie, Simon, Alex, and Chengwang for working tirelessly to fill countless bottles with sweet, contamination-free seawater!
Thanks to Ben for snapping these behind-the-scenes look at Southern Ocean science! Since Ben’s time aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough has drawn to a close, he’ll share a few final thoughts in one last Antarctica Dispatch. Stay tuned!
