Transcript Mystery Spill Scence Investigators

Mystery Spill Crime Scene
Investigation
Investigators: Paff, Vincent, and Adams
Slide borrowed from Dr. Raphael Kudela
Slide borrowed from Dr. Raphael
Kudela
Video Clip of Cleaning “Soiled” Bird
http://www.santacruzlive.com/blogs/video/2007/11/20/sentinel-video-bird-bath
The
Situation
HAB ?
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Slide borrowed from Dr. Raphael Kudela
How do Scientists Use Real-time Data?
 Real-Time Data is data that is collected and
disseminated within hours or weeks
 In this case RTD on surface currents can help
scientists trace and predict the paths of a mystery
spill
 CeNOOS Central & Northern California Ocean
Observing System collects RTD on surface currents
RTD on Surface Currents
 Scientist use High Frequency Radar to gather
information about the direction and speed of the
ocean’s surface currents.
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High frequency radio waves are emitted by antennae and
travel over the ocean
The waves scatter over the ocean and travel back to a receiving
antennae
The returning waves allow scientists to determine the direction
and speed of the surface currents
For a short tutorial about HFR and other types of Ocean Observing RTD
go to CeNCOOS. Click on Module 1
Tutorial written by Matt Binder, Summer Intern MBARI/Presenter
EARTH 2009 Workshop
Vector Activity
http://www.cencoos.org/documents/classroom/CeNCOOS_CSM2_Teach
er_Supplement.pdf
“An early red tide event in September, dominated by
Cochlodinium, did cause a major mortality event in
shellfish, but was not reported by the media. However,
there were no toxins associated with the bloom
that began in early November.”
If not a toxin – then what?
 Bird Death was
correlated with algae
plume but if not toxic
then what?
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Dave Jessup (CDFA)
proposed that it was the
foam of the spill.
Feather and Foam Activity
 Students will test feathers in salt water and salt
water and foam (food colored whipped egg white) to
test whether the proteinaceous foam is to blame for
the degradation of the waterproofing capabilities of
the seabird’s feathers.
 Students will walk through the scientific method of
this activity
 Activity followed by what the scientists found.
A simple experiment…
This slide was borrowed
From Dr. Raphael Kudela
S
Pelican feathers dipped in
seawater, foam, and
sediment
Foam exposure coats the
feathers, collapses the down
and allows the water to
contact the skin
Source: M. Miller, CDFG
Case Solved!
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that resulted from the mixing of the decaying dinoflagellates
Proteinaceous foam compromised the water proofing
characteristics of the seabirds’ feathers, causing their
hypothermia.
Foam picture taken from Dr. Raphael Kudela’s EARTH 2009
presentation
Additional Background Material Timeline of Mystery Spill
http://www.cencoos.org/sections/news/algal_bloom_2007.shtml
Possible Extensions
 Student Research on HAB
 Economic and Public Health Concerns
 Student Research on HFR
 Student Research on other Ocean Observing systems
used in Forecasting Public concerns
Blooms
http://www.cencoos.org/documents/about/HABs_Factsheet.pdf