Monday 22 June 2015

A Final Week at UNF

Traveling down the St. Johns River
A squid found in Guana Lake
    As this course has come to a close, it feels so strange recently to not be in or around the water each day. Throughout the past 5 1/2 weeks, we have been spoiled. Spending continuous days on the ocean or within an estuary, is amongst many things that some people only dream about.
This final week was diverse and challenging, just as the many others in the past. At UNF we focused primarily on estuarine gradients, 24-hour surveys, and high energy beaches. Monday was quite relaxing as we traveled down the St. Johns River and took water quality measurements. Using a YSI probe and other such equipment have become relatively more comfortable for me throughout the weeks. I am excited to be able to use these skills in the near future as I work with other research professors and in science-related activities. 
    Tuesday and Wednesday seemed to merge together as we ventured to Guana Tolomato Mantanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. At 11:30 Tuesday morning, we began a 24-hour session of water quality and fauna assessments. Consistently, we measured factors such as salinity, dissolved oxygen levels, and turbidity. Dissolved oxygen levels peaked within the afternoon due to an increase in primary production. As well, turbidity varied greatly. Guana River and Guana Lake are both highly used by fishermen and boating activities which can cause high levels of suspended particles within the water column. Fauna assessments were conducted by seining a particular area of the lake and river. Each seine pull seemed to collect new and interesting species. Not surprisingly, the Brown Shrimp was the most abundant species caught. Tuesday and Wednesday were long days, but definitely beneficial. I had never experienced biology in that manner before.
    Thursday was spent exploring various seashores throughout the St. Augustine and Jacksonville region. Each beach was a living, breathing habitat for shorebirds and tidal creatures. I really enjoyed learning of how dynamic ocean areas are affected by wind currents and tides. Natural processes like these shape and move inlets and sandbars quite rapidly. If we remained in one place for an extended period, we could observe how the waves would reshapen and mold many characteristics of a beachfront.
    As each week has passed, I am left with more awe and amazement of the world around us. I am truly excited for what my future hold in the marine biology career field. As I continued down the path of life, I hope to always learn more about the ocean and all of its inhabitants.

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