As you have seen, collecting samples in the field is a big job, but not compared to all the work it takes to analyze all the samples they have gathered. Once cores are taken, they must be washed, cut into two centimeter pieces and then picked of all excess sediment leaving only pieces of plants and animals. Then this data must be enetred into a database and analyzed to get useful information. All other samples from the testing site must be measured, observed, cataloged, etc. to be used as information. Keeping it Clean Sara washes samples in the laboratory in Florida.
Washing is what scientist do to the samples separate the fossils from the mud and grass.
Kristi then puts the samples someplace where they can dry. Keen observation skills and careful note-taking are an important part of being a scientist Lynn writes notes aboard the boat at one of the sites After samples have been processed, scientists need to look very carefully to find all of the important information they contain. Jackie looks at microscopic organisms while Jeffery draws pictures of the animals and plants that need to be identified. Lynn and Jeffery work together as a team. While Lynn looks at the samples and identifies mollusks and plants, Jeffery takes notes.