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IIS '02 Underwater Oases
Daily at-sea logs
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images and excerpts below are taken from The NOAA Ocean
Explorer page on the NOAA website. Please click on the url:
or any image below to see the full Daily log found on the
NOAA Ocean Explorer website. |
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July
27 The expedition begins. The R/V Seward Johnson
is mobilized in Ft. Pierce, FL. |
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July
28 Ever wonder what it is like to live the life
of a stinking vase sponge? Several organisms live inside these
"living hotels" in a unique commensal relationship, where
one party benefits while the other is not significantly affected. |
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July
29 Where there are rocks, there is life! Using
the JSL II's powerful manipulator arm rock samples covered
with thick mats of brightly colored algae, soft coral, barnacles,
and tube worms are collected and examined. |
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July
30 Today we are diving on Jacksonville Scarp, a
reef 30 miles north of the St. Augustine Scarp. We are seeing
vermilion snapper, greater amberjack and a type of grouper
called scamp. Submersible dives on habitats frequented by
these species will help us to better understand reproduction
in reef fishes. |
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July
31 Using side scan sonar scientists collect information
about the structure and composition of the seafloor. This
data is critical to recreational and commercial fishermen
as hard-bottom areas provide habitat for many species of reef
fish. |
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Aug
1 Since characteristics of fish can change, or
appear differently on the surface, the science team must use
a combination of body shape, pigment patterns and colors,
and shape and location of fins to properly ID fish while underwater. |
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Aug
2 Lionfish are spotted during routine dive operations.
Although this fish is an amazing site, with its venomous spines,
it is charaterized as an invasive species, not usually found
in the South Atlantic Bight. Read today's log. |
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Aug
3 The Johnson Sea-Link is an amazing piece of technology.
During this expedition, it is using two different types of
bottom samplers. Read about both of them in today's mission
log. |
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Aug
4 Scientists are using the Young Grab to retrieve
sediment samples. Read about how this technology works, and
what it tells the science party, in today's mission log. |
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Aug
5 Thus ends the first leg of the Islands in the
Stream 2002: Exploring Underwater Oases. Read about how reef
fishes are managed, and ideas for their protection.
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