Saturday, July 23, 2011

Exploring the Harbor - Day 2

Today was an interesting day, we got our hands dirty! Discovered a bunch of cool living creatures in which I particularly wasn't even sure existed in such abundant numbers living right below us in the harbor; until I dug'em up that is. We started our observation at the Northside of the Marriott Long Wharf.

@ approx. 8:30 a.m. this is what we began looking at on the right. Estimated half tide and falling, there was lots of sea weed, green moss, mussels and some white speck barnacle against the wall.
Further into our observation, at the "docking barges" or attached to their side, were some interesting green algea. What professor Berman claimed had a "3-dimensional" look to them. Here is where there is a lot of activity, motion in the water, due to vessels coming and going off the docks.

Next we notice a peculiar change of scenery, in a much more calm part of the harbor. @ approx. 9:00 a.m. we were at the right backside of the New England aquarium, where there was an absence of seaweed on the rock wall. Perhaps due to less nutrients that help feed those species?

We learned the importance of what these nutrients represent for the echo system and food chain. The 3 main chemicals, nitrogen, potassium and calcium are (as we were told) key elements to the development of these nutrients; and since a lot of these nutrients come from biological sources of our city, it would only make sense that more turbulent waters would assist in "shaking things" up and spreading the food source.

@ approx. 9:53 a.m. we ventured to a dock adjacent to the "Moakley Courthouse" when at this point we discovered the tide about 2/3rds of the way down. Shortly thereafter we proceeded to the Barking Crab to conduct our hands on experiment.

There were countless tiny life form species, or worms, little shrimp like creatures, blue mussels, being held up by web like forms keeping them all tied up. Professor also caught some fish to show us in the process! Some Mackerel and Herring.

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