Launching the field problem!

After breakfast, we went to the lab and pooled the environmental data that we've been collecting along the shore of Baikal during our hikes. Next, we worked with Professor Moore to brainstorm potential hypotheses and research topics. The topic of our research will be eutrophication, which is the result of nutrient inputs to a body of water, often as the result of human activity. Eutrophication can cause harmful algal blooms and deoxygenating the water. Following our discussion of proper experimental design, we broke into project groups. Evan and Hayley will be investigating how water temperature and eutrophication alter the amount of oxygen dissolved in the lake. Selina and Rosamond are testing water samples for coliform bacteria, such as E. coli, which is evidence of untreated human sewage. Sarah, Lyubov, Zoe, and Maddy are collecting invertebrates to determine whether eutrophication has reduced their diversity. Rebecca and Annie will scrape algae off of randomly selected rocks and determine how much algae has been growing on them. Abby and Helena set up "grazer
exclusion pens" underwater to study how heavily grazers like snails and small fish are feeding on algae by comparing areas inside the pens, where grazers cannot enter, to natural areas where grazers are active. After we set up our preliminary experiments, we were treated to a delicious meal of cutlets, cabbage, fresh salmon sandwiches, and beet and potato salad. We will end the day by watching a Dmitry Vasyukov documentary, Happy People, about life in a Siberian village

Helena sends her love to family and friends back home! xx

Rebecca would also like to send her best wishes to her parents and her
friends. She hopes you're all doing well.

Rebecca and Helena