01 Jul Jared Gray: Paleoclimatology, Week Three

The measuring cups with the samples and chemicals after soaking overnight

This week I finished my batch of 80, and started new batches of 10 and 17 crucibles. I entered in around 300 data points this week as well.

On Monday, I helped Colton finish sub-sampling the core, which is great, because that means I will be able to finish LOI sometime next week. I also started to do the preparation of charcoal, which is where I put a sample inside of a plastic measuring cup, and fill it with 50ml of bleach and 50ml of sodium hexametaphosphate and is left overnight to dissolve the sediment sample. The next day, I had to strain out small dirt particles using a sifter type tool, and pour the remaining larger particles into a plastic test tube (the test tubes will be saved until we can get live camera feed on the microscope because I have difficulties seeing through regular microscopes). I’ve done around 2 batches of 24 samples so far.

The test tubes that the charcoal samples are being stored in

Wednesday, while sifting charcoal, I once again accidentally turned the DI water hose onto max power, which soaked me this time.

As always, this week was fun and enjoyable.