On the way out, I stood at the rail with Dr. Dan Van Gent. Dan has not been to sea in ten years. He specializes in radio-isotope chemistry. He and Paul Aharon from LSU will study the origin and age of seep geological features, such as barite chimneys. These chimneys break through the dense salt layers that occur under sediments across much of the Gulf.
Radium is incorporated into the chimneys and can be used to determine source and age.
By the way, food is way too good. Today we had lamb curry for lunch and prime roast beef for dinner.