Dana Nieuwkerk: University of North Florida (Jacksonville) .2

Dana Nieuwkerk: University of North Florida (Jacksonville) .2

We began our 24-hour field study chipper, as we were split into teams of four and assigned our shifts, told to seine every three hours and test water quality every hour. 

The interactive science center we were working outside of. 

Choosing parameters for seining.

Seining involved taking a 10 ft. sampling net with a chain across the bottom and Styrofoam for floatation across the top into waist-deep water and dragging it across the bottom for a designated and standardized distance. The net is pulled upward at the very end and the aquatic organisms captured are quickly and safely transported to buckets. Fish were identified, measured, and counted for data points; crabs were also identified and counted and their carapace width was measured. Grass shrimp were solely counted due to their small size and vast quantity while brown shrimp were measured.

Identifying and measuring organisms captured in the seine net.

Water quality tests involved using the YSI to record salinity, D.O. concentration and percentage, and temperature. A surface sample was taken and used to determine concentration of chlorophyll a and turbidity. 

Seine sampling above the dam.

On our free time, we were able to fish and lay in the hammocks we brought along; however, most of us wanted to sleep! 

Cara hanging out in the hammock during her break.

Kristiana found a comfy place to sleep during her break!

After compiling all of the data into graphs, we were able to see that chlorophyll a peaked at sunrise (when the light levels rise) and around noon (when sunlight is most intense) and we noticed the fishermen present affected the turbidity measurements of our water quality samples. Grass shrimp were present in copious amounts above the dam while mosquito fish were the most accounted for species below the dam. 

Sunset indicating the start of my shift!

Wally and Destiny handling the nighttime seine!

Pipefish found in our 'below dam' seine at 11:30pm.

Zack celebrating once the final seine sample was identified, measured, and counted.

On the final day, we got a tour of UNF and its incredible science facilities, designed by the scientists themselves!

The greenhouse on the roof of the Biology Building at UNF!