This morning began with fresh minds, fresh rolls (with jelly!) and a talk given by Katey Walter about her research on methane emissions from nearby lakes. These emissions have been increasing recently due to thawing permafrost. We located some of these lakes on a map, and then headed out for a tour of the surrounding area including these very lakes! Sergei Davidov showed us some of his experiments, measuring processes such as temperature at varying soil depths, Carbon dioxide levels in soil, and grasses that he introduced to the area to imitate the Pleistocene era. The morning hike ended with us touring thee different lakes of the area and discussing the ecological processes occurring there.
In the afternoon we split up into interest groups, each looking at different parts of the Siberian ecosystem. One group looked at stream ecology. John and Max lead the group of students and PIs, who used a YSI to take conductivity measurements. Another group assembled bubble traps for methane collection in lakes; relating to Katey and Laura’s research. The third group was under Andy’s instruction. They took tree cores of Siberian larch in the area near the station. It was fascinating for each group to learn something about the process of collecting field data.
We are looking forward to hearing what the rest of the group thought about the day, and what sort of knowledge they gained! Also looking forward to tomorrow, we are travelling in the barge to another location upstream! More on that to come once we have internet again!
Katie Abbott, student St.Olaf
Kate Willis aka Keterin Villis, student Clark University
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Bryan Abbott says
July 11, 2008 at 5:35 amHi Katie. We are thrilled. I have sent a link to your website out to family and friends and we are getting a lot of responses from everyone, excited for you and your trip.
We are reading along with the blogs, thrilled about feeling like we are a part of the trip and happy to be getting such regular updates. I would imagine that despite any lack of creature comforts you might be experiencing, this adventure is far more than you’d ventured to imagine.
Keep up the good work. Take in everything you see. Capture all the memories you can cram in, and come home safe to tell us all about it.
Dad
Sam says
July 11, 2008 at 10:10 pmMiss Keterin Villis,
I didn’t know you could measure the carbon dioxide level of soil. Heh. Sounds like you are having a most lovely time and learning a ton. I send my love and some Indian cows. Mmmm, delicious.
-S.
Paul D. & Abby L. says
July 12, 2008 at 8:53 amPryvet, Keterin! Kakdela?
Sounds like an intense first day.
I have to say, the Pleistocene is in my top 5 favorite geological time periods. Does the rest of your group know you have an extensive background in aquatic horticulture and lumber hauling? I think these skills should be brought to bare up in Siberia.
We’re looking forward to hearing more about your methane emissions.
PS. Can you bring us back some larch?
-Paul & Abby
Alyssa says
July 14, 2008 at 1:40 pmHello Miss Ket,
I just wanted to say that since I am in Alaska right now, I am closer to you than anyone else from Lincoln! Ha!
Loff,
Alyssa
Jane Salerno says
July 15, 2008 at 11:29 amI’m truly enjoying the blog entries by all.
Your experiences are making it harder than ever to sit before a computer screen here at Clark. What an adventure!
Here’s to great weather and lots of discovery.
Jane
(in Clark’s Media Relations office)
rpw says
July 17, 2008 at 5:16 pmQ: How many Arctic Scientists does it take to cook dinner ?
A: 10. One to cook the fish and 9 to analyze the data.
Caitlin says
July 18, 2008 at 7:05 amKaty my squish.
Looks like you are having fun wearing big hats and observing fossils. Not to mention living on a barge! Have you seen the Siberian buckthorns yet? I agree with Paul and Abby that your skills should be made known. We have already built the bridge out to the chinampas and started the frame for the bed!