A research vessel is a busy place! On a ship the size of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, several groups of scientists will be working on the boat at once, each with their own research project.

Watch the video below to learn about what daily life was like as the research team collected samples for their sea ice project.

VIDEO: A DAY IN THE LIFE

Martin Schuster describes daily life working as a research technician on the sea ice project. (2:45)

Video Transcript

At the end of the busy day there's still work to be done. Back on the ship, the scientists have to download data to their computers and store samples for later analysis. Finally, they repack the gear for another day on the ice. On the USCGC Healy, every day is a work day. The team will continue this routine each day for several weeks!

The team is excited to begin piecing together the food web, but analysis will have to wait until later, back in the lab in Fairbanks.

 

 

 

WHO IS STUDYING SEA ICE?

  BIOTA (n)- the animal or plant life in an area
  CHLOROPHYLL (n)- a green pigment found in plants and algae