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A Pollution and Biological Effects Assessment of
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August 10, 2007
Our first day of work for the Kachemak Bay Bioeffects Study was spent setting up gear and reviewing safety procedures on the fishing vessel Columbia in Homer, Alaska.
Safety is paramount particularly when working in cold Alaskan waters, so the first action taken was to become familiar with the safety equipment such as life vests, fire extinguishers, survival suits, and life rafts. Also, for safety purposes, several emergency drills were practiced, including man overboard, fire, and abandon ship.
After familiarizing ourselves with the boat all members of the crew set up and tested the deployment of sampling equipment while still at the dock. A new video procedure was tested using a camera mounted to the sediment grab. The camera provided scientists with a real-time image of the sediment grab as it descended and landed on the sea floor. When all gear was confirmed to be working properly we departed Homer for our first sampling station in Kachemak Bay.
At each site, several measurements are made for chemistry (metals and organics), grain size, toxicity testing, and benthic characterization (species diversity). Of the three sites where sampling was attempted, only two were acceptable. One of the sites was too rocky.
The two successful sites were in the Western subtidal and the Western intertidal zone. A visiting scientist, Mark Janes, of Nuka Research, who is working with the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council, is participating in part of the field activities to learn more about how these sampling and analysis techniques may be used in other parts of the region.