Tag Archives: Citizen Science

Coastal, Monitoring

First Seawater Monitoring Result From Victoria, BC: No Fukushima Contamination as of Oct. 15, 2014

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By Jay T. Cullen

@JayTCullen and @FukushimaInFORM

On the granite blocks that make up the south side of Ogden Point Breakwater getting ready to take the first InFORM sample (photo by Katherine Maas)
On the granite blocks that make up the south side of Ogden Point Breakwater getting ready to take the first InFORM sample (photo by Katherine Maas)

What we found:

137-Cesium activity = 1.3 (+/- 0.1) Bq m-3 (Becquerel per meter cubed of seawater)
134-Cesium activity = Not Detected
Water Temperature = 10.5 C

The InFORM team collected a seawater sample in collaboration with citizen scientists in Victoria on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Ogden Point Breakwater (map shown below).  The sample was processed and the amount of gamma emitting isotopes determined using a high purity germanium detector.  We look primarily for radioisotopes of cesium (134-Cs half life ~2 years and 137-Cs half life ~ 30 years) for the following reasons: Continue reading First Seawater Monitoring Result From Victoria, BC: No Fukushima Contamination as of Oct. 15, 2014 →

Citizen Science

More Citizen Science Sampling Kits Being Shipped Out

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By Jay T. Cullen

@JayTCullen and @FukushimaInFORM

Shown below are sampling kits that will ship out today for our citizen science volunteers in Tofino, Winter Harbour, Hadia Gwaii – Sandspit and Port Hardy BC.  Staged for pick up are Lax Kw’alaams, Prince Rupert, Powell River and Haida Gwaii – Masset.  Results of seawater monitoring for Fukushima derived radioactivity will be made public as they are available.

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FAQ

How do we process seawater samples?

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By Jay T. Cullen

The InFORM team is busy processing samples returned to us from our citizen scientist volunteers who collected seawater at various locations in November.  When we receive the seawater we first filter it through a 1 micron ( 1 micron = 10-6 meter) cartridge to remove larger debris and sediments that might be present. Continue reading How do we process seawater samples? →

Citizen Science

December Citizen Seawater Sampling by SurfRider VI in Port Renfrew BC

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Dec. 14, 2014

Port Renfrew BC

Surfrider Foundation Vancouver Island chapter is helping to coordinate citizen science sampling in the South Island region and in particular Port Renfrew.  SurfRider_VI_logo

Lucas Harris is Vice Chair of the chapter and headed out to catch the surf yesterday.  Surfrider will begin coordinating with interested volunteers in Port Renfrew for the January 2015 sampling.  Thanks to Surfrider for all of the help in making the InFORM project a success thus far.  If you are interested in the health of our oceans and are interested in connecting with like minded people who also love to surf check out their organization. Continue reading December Citizen Seawater Sampling by SurfRider VI in Port Renfrew BC →

Citizen Science

Citizen Science Sampling in Bella Bella BC by Bella Bella Community School

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November 18, 2014

Bella Bella BC

 

The Bella Bella Community School helped to collect the first seawater sample for Fukushima radionuclide monitoring from Lama Pass in November.  Thanks to Vic Gladish, Marneé Bellavance and the Grade 8 science students who helped out the InFORM project.

 

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