But once past Pt. On the bridge, Jack Russell, captain of the Monitor III, demonstrated the latest technology used to navigate the city's largest monitoring boat. A brightly colored sonar display is used for identifying underwater structures. A thriving population is taken as a sign of a healthy environment. Marine microbiologist Mary Ellen Kruse analyzes water samples in this shipboard laboratory.
Tests look for healy metals, pesticides and other potential toxins.
We had arrived at one of the pre-determined research stations, and Tim Rothans and marine biologist Mike Kelly got to work. Once the devices reached thir required depth, they were hauled up and given to Mary Ellen Kruse, a marine microbiology supervisor from the Alvarado Water Filtration Biology Lab, for analysis. The CTD contains a recorder that transfers its measurements directly to a shipboard computer. Water samples from the Van Dorn are subjected to chemical analysis that measures toxins like pesticides and heavy metals, and biological oxygen demand, an indication of microbial action. Bottom sediment from the Van Veen sampler was hauled on board complete with a collection of tiny worms, crabs and other benthic invertebrates that were almost too small to see.