July 19-July 23

Last week I had been working getting these two particular samples sent for sequencing to find out if they are in fact cryptophytes. The results came back and I found out that they were not cryptophytes. Using BLAST, I found out that they were diatoms, specifically Skeletonema. We were not pleased and decided to do more PCR on those same samples using two different cryptophyte specific primers for PCR which were actually not very specific. We cloned them and are going to send them off for sequencing today. Hopefully, they will be cryptophyte DNA rather than more Skeletonema (diatoms).

This week I also counted M. rubra, about 40 in one sample and more than 50 in another. They appear as a small black circle with more than 20 stick like projections evenly surrounding the circle.

I also collected water samples with a small group of interns. They watched me get soaked taking water samples from Hammond and Ilwaco, and also observed me using the sampler I use to get the 3 meter and 1 meter water samples. My socks, feet and shoes stayed wet throughout the trip. Cold water in your shoes is not fun..