Lab Day - Sediment Core Analysis

            Due to tide and weather constraints, we (the benthic group) started the work-up process of our sediment core samples taken the previous Saturday (10/26/13). However, it was only part 1 of the analysis. After being stained with a reddish/pink color and preserved in formalin for a week, we had to transfer the samples to 70% ethanol. The process was a bit messy and complicated at first, but it was interesting to learn a new sampling/analysis technique. The sediment core samples were put through a 300 micrometer sieve and the formalin was drained off and discarded in the appropriate waste container. Then, the sieve was taken over to a sink and using tap water, the sieve was rinsed through pushing the sediment down and only leaving behind the sediment and organisms larger than 300 micrometers. The remaining sediments/organisms were then rinsed into a labeled vial with 70% ethanol. We repeated the process with all 9 of our sediment core samples intended for faunal analysis.

            After all the samples were transferred to ethanol, we were able to start the work-up process. We used dissecting microscopes and small petri dishes to find any organisms that were present in our core samples and this was indicated by a dark pink color. We separated any organisms we found into small vials with ethanol for later identification. So far, we found mostly worms, but I did find what appeared to be a shrimp in one of the samples. The process takes a good amount of time, but I'm looking forward to see what else we will find. 

Looking through dissecting scopes for benthic organisms (pink color)