Science on a pier
Jul 18, 2023 • 9:33 PM UTC
2099-2001 Naga Way, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
140x Magnification
Microorganisms
Manu Prakash
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History is around the corner - only if we open our eyes. I am very lucky to be visiting Scripps Institute of Oceanography for the Molecular Biology of Diatoms meeting. I got a chance to walk on the campus - and everywhere I looked, important historic markers and I credible infrastructure for science for the ocean is visible.
Just for background - this is where the « most important graph humanity has ever made » - the keeling curve got started. Also, it is the oldest marine station in United States.
Often we don’t think about infrastructure for science - specially when maintained and made accessible to scientist. Just one example was the « science pier » where a number of science experiments are supported. The fact that we got to sample and do a plankton tow right where a long term plankton monitoring has been done - and foldscope at site.
We found dinoflagellates and probably some fecal/aggregate matter that is filled with diatoms. It reminded me of a recent expedition - where the water was extremely clear but had a lot of particulate matter. I will post more data soon - but hope you take away the sense of biodiversity that is immediately accessible.
I saw baby sharks, sting rays, an arm of a octopus (probably caught in the pier), tons of plankton just off the pier. What else is lurking around the corner.
Keep exploring
Manu
Just for background - this is where the « most important graph humanity has ever made » - the keeling curve got started. Also, it is the oldest marine station in United States.
Often we don’t think about infrastructure for science - specially when maintained and made accessible to scientist. Just one example was the « science pier » where a number of science experiments are supported. The fact that we got to sample and do a plankton tow right where a long term plankton monitoring has been done - and foldscope at site.
We found dinoflagellates and probably some fecal/aggregate matter that is filled with diatoms. It reminded me of a recent expedition - where the water was extremely clear but had a lot of particulate matter. I will post more data soon - but hope you take away the sense of biodiversity that is immediately accessible.
I saw baby sharks, sting rays, an arm of a octopus (probably caught in the pier), tons of plankton just off the pier. What else is lurking around the corner.
Keep exploring
Manu
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