Wednesday, November 09, 2005
November 9, 2005: Laguna Colorada
On Nov. 9, I went out with Andy, Lynn, Dana, and Rob to observe their science activities.
Last year, Lynn had sampled from Laguna Colorada and had planned to do some sampling, but mostly to do some experiments, this year at this site. They were particularly interested in identifying as many of the organisms that live there as possible, as well as determining the effect of the sun's UV radiation on the DNA of the microbes there. To do this, they collected samples every two hours during the day to bring back to NASA Ames for DNA damage analysis. At the same time, Rob, Andy, Clay and Melissa helped Lynn by exposing pure DNA to the solar radiation every two hours from 6:30 am until after dark as a control. Again, they will not know the results until they return to NASA.
As for the previous sites, Andy filtered water from Laguna Colorada. As mentioned on the Nov. 6 update to this website, filtering out organisms is important because many experiments focus on water chemistry. Organisms will alter that chemistry while the water is being transported back to the U.S. for analysis, and so the science team filters living organisms out of the water as soon as possible. Also, once organisms are concentrated on the filter, the science team can look at a concentrated sample of organisms. The final reason that filtration is important is because Lynn and Dana need a culturing medium to grow certain organisms back at Ames.
One of the striking things about Laguna Colorada is its red color. The color of the laguna is red because the organisms in the laguna have a red pigment, called carotenoids, to protect themselves from UV radiation.
[click the image to see a larger view]
The team fans out at Laguna Colorada. Andy sets up a water filtration system at a small inlet [left]. Rob heads out into Laguna Colorada wearing waders [right]. Lynn and Dana set up a work area near the shore [middle].
Rob wades into Laguna Colorada.
Lynn and Dana collect and package water samples from the Laguna.
Lynn's samples are red, which is typical of microbes living in very high salt environments.
Pure DNA is set out into the sun. The sun will damage the DNA. This damage can later be observed at the lab. This kind of study will let us know what kind of impact the solar radiation at this altitude has on life and evolution/mutation.
Andy sets up a water filtration procedure with some assistance from Rob.
[click the image to see a larger view]
The water filtration process.
Lynn and Dana collect and package samples at the laguna.
Rob and Dana wade into the laguna to collect experiments that they set out previously.
Vertical panoramic image at the Laguna.
[click the image to see a larger view]
The team fans out for their various science activities at the Laguna.
[click the image to see a larger view]
Later, we returned to the Refuge and began packing for our move to Uyumi City.
Last year, Lynn had sampled from Laguna Colorada and had planned to do some sampling, but mostly to do some experiments, this year at this site. They were particularly interested in identifying as many of the organisms that live there as possible, as well as determining the effect of the sun's UV radiation on the DNA of the microbes there. To do this, they collected samples every two hours during the day to bring back to NASA Ames for DNA damage analysis. At the same time, Rob, Andy, Clay and Melissa helped Lynn by exposing pure DNA to the solar radiation every two hours from 6:30 am until after dark as a control. Again, they will not know the results until they return to NASA.
As for the previous sites, Andy filtered water from Laguna Colorada. As mentioned on the Nov. 6 update to this website, filtering out organisms is important because many experiments focus on water chemistry. Organisms will alter that chemistry while the water is being transported back to the U.S. for analysis, and so the science team filters living organisms out of the water as soon as possible. Also, once organisms are concentrated on the filter, the science team can look at a concentrated sample of organisms. The final reason that filtration is important is because Lynn and Dana need a culturing medium to grow certain organisms back at Ames.
One of the striking things about Laguna Colorada is its red color. The color of the laguna is red because the organisms in the laguna have a red pigment, called carotenoids, to protect themselves from UV radiation.
[click the image to see a larger view]
The team fans out at Laguna Colorada. Andy sets up a water filtration system at a small inlet [left]. Rob heads out into Laguna Colorada wearing waders [right]. Lynn and Dana set up a work area near the shore [middle].
Rob wades into Laguna Colorada.
Lynn and Dana collect and package water samples from the Laguna.
Lynn's samples are red, which is typical of microbes living in very high salt environments.
Pure DNA is set out into the sun. The sun will damage the DNA. This damage can later be observed at the lab. This kind of study will let us know what kind of impact the solar radiation at this altitude has on life and evolution/mutation.
Andy sets up a water filtration procedure with some assistance from Rob.
[click the image to see a larger view]
The water filtration process.
Lynn and Dana collect and package samples at the laguna.
Rob and Dana wade into the laguna to collect experiments that they set out previously.
Vertical panoramic image at the Laguna.
[click the image to see a larger view]
The team fans out for their various science activities at the Laguna.
[click the image to see a larger view]
Later, we returned to the Refuge and began packing for our move to Uyumi City.
