Insightful Lab Blabs

#1 Insightful Lab Blabs:
It has taken weeks to comprehend the depth of my new REU assignment. This Summer '07 was spent on the Nearshore Project - a most interesting experience surveying fish populations in wilderness rivers and adjoining coastal waters, while working with students whom added so much fun and commitment.
Now the focus of my REU experience is in the laboratory, preparing soil samples with Jay, for Dr. Bill Eaton. Starting the work was pretty straightforward, after working at the NOAA/NMFS Lab in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, but the theory behind the work seemed too complex to grasp. Dr. Bill gave us an extended lecture on the use of Organic Carbon by soil microbials, and how different methods of assessment measure the amont of stress, and functioning abilities of these microbes, as they strive for growth and homeostatic balance. Organic Carbon may be used as an energy source (which requires ATP) for respiration in response to ecosystem disturbance (stress), or be sequestered into microbial biomass in the form of tissue growth in more steady-state enviornments. It is the way Carbon is utilized in these assessments in relation to additional parameters, which show if the microbial community is in Recovery from stressors of flooding, sediment starvation, avalance, fire, drought, exposure to toxic waste, etc. Dr, Bill is looking at soil communities on the Elwha River - specifically above, between and below the Upper and Lower Elwha River Dams. Samples also reflect various ecosystems existing as one moves away from the river's edge. Now that my annotated bibliography assignment is complete (which was met with great trepidation!) the theory behind Dr. Bill's madness seems sensible and straightforward. Thank you, Dwight Barry! Working on this new experience has opened a new and interesting world for me. Stay tuned for more!!