Last week marked the Changing Arctic Ocean annual science meeting, held in Potsdam, Germany. A lot of people from both of the cruises were there, and it was great to catch up and see what everyone had been doing with their precious copepods or less precious (imo) sediment, water or models. The vegan numbers have … Continue reading Reunion
Author: hollyejay
‘Copepods: The unsung heroes of the ocean’
Have you heard enough about copepods yet? Check out this article from Planet Earth - there might be a familiar face if you're viewing on desktop.
Part 2.8 – Afterthoughts
My research is on the consequences of climate change, and I love this. In my opinion, climate change is the fight of our era and this focus makes my work worthwhile. However, it means I can't ignore everything else around me and tunnel my vision only to the consequences I'm researching. I now question every … Continue reading Part 2.8 – Afterthoughts
Part 2.7 – Back on land
We left the RRS James Clark Ross yesterday, jumping onto the (mostly not) dry land that is Svalbard and almost immediately going on a four-hour hike to stretch our legs. Leaving was a little sad - the ship has been sold and this is her final season with the British Antarctic Survey. After the crew … Continue reading Part 2.7 – Back on land
Part 2.6 – Ship life
It’s very difficult to keep track of what I’ve written, what has managed to get onto the internet, and what can currently be read at holly-jenkins.com. The internet is worse than last time, and I haven’t synced my mailbox for six days never mind tried to google. Last year we had some interesting system where … Continue reading Part 2.6 – Ship life
Part 2.5 – Outsmarted by the copepods
It’s difficult to maintain decent levels of self-confidence when animals without brains are constantly outwitting you. When I have picked copepods from the nets on the first day of my experiment, I put half into my incubation bottles and let them eat away happily for 24 hours. After that time, all I have to do … Continue reading Part 2.5 – Outsmarted by the copepods
Part 2.4 – N-ice growler
We’re in the ice! It’s not actually growlers (ice less than 1m above sea level), it’s mostly broken up pack ice and some multi-year ice. But in my opinion, all ice is gorgeous. It really feels like we’re in the Arctic now. Sadly we’re straight back out the ice again because most of our nets … Continue reading Part 2.4 – N-ice growler
Part 2.3 – It begins
We’ve been so lucky with wildlife so far – yesterday we think we saw a humpback whale! Some people aboard don’t believe this but we have photos and have contacted an Arctic whale expert (Trina) so I’m going all in and saying definite humpback sighting. We saw a magnificent tail fluke and some blows, and … Continue reading Part 2.3 – It begins
Part 2.2 – ORCA!
Just now I was working in the lounge when the phone rang. ‘Orca, port side’, announced the ship’s doctor. The instant the words are out of her mouth, there’s a dash for all the exits. I’ve never seen so many scientists move so fast. Within moments, we reach the outer door, but it’s there that … Continue reading Part 2.2 – ORCA!
Part 2.1 – The vegan is gone
We're off again, quite a lot later than planned (of course). We said goodbye to sunny Aberdeen yesterday with a swim and a run along the beach, hopped aboard, and were serenaded off by a lone dolphin. I am quickly realising that I used all my best vegan related puns last year, so I'm going … Continue reading Part 2.1 – The vegan is gone
Vegan at Sea Again!
You may have heard that soon there will again be an awkward eater terrorising the chefs on the RRS James Clark Ross. For this weekend, I will again bounce onto the ship to continue my tirade of 'does that contain milk?', 'no tasty cake for me thanks', and 'WHO'S EATEN ALL THE GINGER NUTS?!'. I'm … Continue reading Vegan at Sea Again!
From CTD cast to podcast
https://twitter.com/NERC_CAO/status/1110112695339151360 Genuinely hate the sound of my own voice - is that how everyone feels?
‘Breaking the Arctic’s Ice Ceiling’
I recently contributed to a series by the Arctic Institute which aims to highlight the roles of women working and living in the Arctic, increasing the visibility and empowering the voices of women. I am really excited that they allowed me to be involved! Check it out here: https://www.thearcticinstitute.org/vegan-sea-gan-arctic-ocean/ https://twitter.com/HollyEJenkins/status/1087757592313643008
What next?
So, after being safely back on land and suitably warmed, what happens now? First off, have some numbers: 18 stations sampled 152 water samples fixed to allow plankton cell counts 402 water samples filtered to collect particulate matter 485 copepods frozen 12590 eggs counted (each one was actually counted three times, and most were frozen) … Continue reading What next?
Part 10 – Longyearbyen
I am sad to say we have reached the end of the expedition. We have taken our last samples, washed everything, and packed it all away in boxes and containers. I'm going to miss my nights with the copepods, and being rocked to sleep by the waves every morning. But luckily, I have plenty of … Continue reading Part 10 – Longyearbyen
Part 9 – Confession
If you thought upon reading the blog post title that this would be an apology over the recent lack of news, you were wrong. We've had no internet for a week now, so it's been beyond my control, couldn't do anything about it, get off my back okay?! But no, we're now just off the … Continue reading Part 9 – Confession
Part 8: Engineers are amazing
It's been an exciting few days, with things on board being broken more often than not. This didn't just include the scientific equipment and winches used to lift them, but also the rear thrusters (or something equally important sounding and useful) for moving the ship. We were stuck in quite thick ice for a bit … Continue reading Part 8: Engineers are amazing
Part 7: POLAR BEAR
POLAR BEAR! This is a quick post to express my overwhelming excitement at seeing a POLAR BEAR! I can't take credit for the fantastic pictures, they were taken by Flo Atherden as there was no time to run and get my camera when I was in the presence of a POLAR BEAR! I must say … Continue reading Part 7: POLAR BEAR
Part 6: Breaking the Ice
We just reached the Arctic ice! I know my evidence for this is is not that impressive given it is like 1km away and is possibly just a 1m squared bit, but it counts. Later today we'll be properly iced I think, so I expect to see infinite polar bears and narwhals, for sure. Thought … Continue reading Part 6: Breaking the Ice
Part 5: Coping Without The Right Copepods
The whales are hiding from me. Even when the fog lifts, there is only empty ocean as far as the eye can see. You can see why sailors used to think the open ocean was barren. That is, until you get nets in and actually have a look. Sampling began at 11pm last night, with … Continue reading Part 5: Coping Without The Right Copepods
Marine Biologist Mayhem 