Cara McCann

Week 3, Blog 2

Wednesday began the 24-hr study and it was awesome! We wanted to see how the water quality and fish diversity/abundance changed at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR). This reserve is interesting because it has a weir, which is a dam-like structure in that it can hold water behind it, but a weir also allows for a counterflow of water. We took a water-sample and used a YSI instrument to measure dissolved oxygen, salinity, and water temperature. On every third hour, we used a seine net to catch what was swimming on the shore there with us. We then measured, counted, recorded, and returned (most) of our fishy finds. It was definitely a challenge, but we also had a great time (Dr. Hackney's wife was even kind enough to make us all dinner!).

Figuring out where we're going to drag the seine

Measuring a Bay Whiff, Citharichthys spilopterus

On Thursday we finished up the 24-hour study, brought back the equipment and then passed out! After catching up on rest, we got together to analyze the data we had collected. Some of our results included that the chlorophyll a levels spiked during sunrise along with dissolved oxygen, which we sort of expected to find because both of their production are related to temperature. When catching and counting fish in the seine net, there were many silverside and mosquito fish, and a few sheepshead minnow and bay whiff. On the estuary side of the weir, we caught lots of shrimp, but not so many on the lake side of the weir.

We went over our findings on Friday and Dr. Smith and Dr. Hackney gave a tour of the biology building. I learned that the building was designed by biologists, and was finished 2 months early and at least a million dollars under budget! The building houses 6,000 gallons of seawater, and is one of a few nearby facilities to conduct necropsies. Lastly, we had our skills test with Dr. Smith to show what we learned at UNF. It was so great to get to know my school, professors, and city more than I ever could have on my own! It was refreshing to visit home, but I am not looking back on the way to the Keys Marine Lab!!