Monday, August 2, 2010

Day 14 - Research & Testing Water Samplers

Today I spent the morning in the Hayden Humanities Library doing research for my project, trying to find relevant articles on algae for biodiesel and PPCPs to read. The Hayden Library is one of my favorite spots on campus that I've seen so far. The 2nd floor reading room is unbelievably spacious with windows that stretch from the ground to the ceilings. Sunlight streams in and makes one eager to study or complete homework on one of the long wooden tables.


There have been few studies done on the effects of PPCPs on algae. I was trying to find average national concentrations of the four PPCPs I would like to test - triclosan, DEET, estrogen, and caffeine - in wastewater. I was able to access reports from various countries, but was having trouble finding data targeted towards the U.S.

In the afternoon, we took our Sea Perches over to the OETL and tested the water samplers. The OEX camp was in the process of finishing their wind turbine; the room was filled with the smell of burning styrofoam and the noises of drills and saws. For some reason, Kraken kept spinning in circles, heading helplessly towards the right. I was dreading the inevitable - having to completely redo that motor. Jordan took a look at the problem and immediately advised me to simply re-epoxy the propellor to the propellor shaft. It turns out that the propellor had only come loose; there was no need to worry about completely re-waxing another motor!

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