The Project: Research Techniques

diversity:
variety

incorporate:
take in; blend; unite; combine with

incubation:
developing; growth; cell change or development

nautical mile:
measurement of distance, usually used at sea. A nautical mile (nm) is 6,076 feet. A statute mile is 5,280 feet.

phytoplankton:
small plants (best seen with a microscope) floating in the upper layer of the ocean

techniques:
methods

The scientists will be sampling water from sampling stations at least 5 nautical miles from shore and up to 150 nautical miles from shore (nm). At each sampling station, we will collect water from several different water depths.

We will add radioactive compounds to samples to see which cells incorporate the compounds.

We will collect cells for diversity analysis back on land.

Finally, we will be setting up incubation experiments to mimic the conditions in the water to try examine how metals may affect the growth of bacteria and phytoplankton.