Category Archives: Monitoring

Biota, Coastal, Monitoring, Oceanic

September 2016 InFORMal Update

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Oceanic Monitoring: 

The suite of summer 2015 oceanic data are now ready and they show quite a change from 2014. Comparing these data side by side, it is plain to see that the concentrations of 137Cs have increased considerably in the central NE Pacific. It appears that the plume has spread throughout this vast area from Alaska to California. While natural processes of radioactive decay are slowly decreasing concentrations of 134Cs (with a 2 year half-life roughly 25% of the original concentration was present in April 2015), the signal for 137Cs is getting smeared by the currents of the NE Pacific and as they paint the path of the highest flows. For the sampling details and to see the values for 134Cs, see the interactive map. Continue reading September 2016 InFORMal Update →

Monitoring, Oceanic

PHOTOS: Walk the Line, P: Inspiration

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by Sara Zeidan

Me and the trusty CCGS John P Tully.
Me and the trusty CCGS John P Tully.

After two weeks straight of living on a boat I have finally touched solid ground! I could not help but naturally sway from side to side as I walked along the port of the Institute of Ocean Sciences, seems I am more prone to land sickness than sea sickness. Continue reading PHOTOS: Walk the Line, P: Inspiration →

Monitoring, Oceanic

Walk the Line, P: Big Blue

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by Sara Zeidan

It’s been quite rough waters the past few days, but sampling is still going smoothly. We are far from shore and open ocean surrounds us as far as the eye can see. It’s quite calming and humbling to be in the middle of the ocean, with blues of all different shades making up the waves as they crash up against the boat.
Continue reading Walk the Line, P: Big Blue →

Monitoring, Oceanic

Walk the Line, P: Out to Sea

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by Sara Zeidan

We left the Institute of Ocean Sciences, in Sidney BC, yesterday afternoon (August 17th) and are currently on the track of Line P. The day before we left was loading day and it really highlighted how much effort and people are required to get a scientific cruise together. It was really great to see the array of scientific gear required for everyone’s projects and made me eager to get everything started and embark on this cruise. Once everything was loaded I had the opportunity to help set up the equipment needed for the cesium filtration. Richard made the system much simpler to run because one look at the system on a few hours of sleep can make anyone go crazy. Continue reading Walk the Line, P: Out to Sea →