lettting my voice be heard: part 1

 

I do so enjoy these lectures out at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography!

Jackson Schroeder engages some interesting speakers for this "Evenings At Skidaway" series and tonight's was no exception.

There he is, sitting on the left, across from the postdoc, Dr. Sean Anderson, who spoke to us about "Tiny Plants, Big Impacts: Phytoplankton and the Ocean's Microbial Food Web".

I had not realized that these were one-celled flora!

What complex functions they were able to perform with that single cell!

It certainly had me thinking about science, as well as chemistry, and the size of the molecules which exist in every cell of our own bodies.

DNA is huge, as it contains the 'recipes' for every protein that the body has to build, and every cell has a copy of that DNA double-helix.

Like I said, it really had me thinking about chemistry.

That's why I asked two questions afterward.

Let me say this: I usually do ask a question, but I do so quietly, after the Q&A has ended and I can talk one on one with the speaker.

Not this time!

I asked during the session, so all would hear!

Such a change for me!

The first question was: "Has a study been done on the effect of introducing parasites into areas blighted by algal blooms - like Red Tide - to help clear up the phytoplankton overpopulation?"

He had told us in some detail of certain parasites that were capable of consuming multiple phytoplankton at a time.

Dr. Anderson responded that a group of researchers in Spain were working on that very problem, but cautioned about introducing non-native species into an area and causing an even greater problem.

[For instance, the planting of Japanese kudzu to control erosion around highways and that species now rampant over native trees.]

My thought on that issue is to use the parasites as if they were living enzymes, so that control the ratio of the parasite (enzyme) to the phytoplankton (substrate) would prevent any extra harm to an environment.

Chemistry!!!

My second question: "What research has been done of the effect of major hurricanes on the phytoplankton populations and, subsequently, on the populations of those species that rely on phytoplankton for food?"

Dr. Anderson replied that scientists are trying to study that, but it's a tricky subject, as major hurricanes impact such large areas for a prolonged time.

Heard that.

After all was said and done, Jackson gave me a gift: food for home!

He always has a nice spread of fruit and cheeses for the reception.

It's like a little party!

That was my plate before the lecture... then I had even more after!

Happy birthday to me!

Those cheeses and that peppercorn-crusted salami will be nice on salads.

Thanks, Jackson!