Comments on: Diamond Hunters Stole Our Helicopter!

By: Ned Brinkley

Ned Brinkley — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:01:19 +0000

Marvelous reading! Damn shame about the transport. I am wondering if you encountered any biologists studying birds while you were there? I am working on a summer/fall summary of interesting bird reports for 2008 in Greenland and desperately seeking more good contacts! Many thanks, Ned Brinkley, editor, North American Birds journal

By: Aaron M

Aaron M — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:27:29 +0000

your adventures in paleoclimatology never cease to amaze…
let me know if you ever need a field medic on one of your surveys ;)

By: Billy D'Andrea

Billy D'Andrea — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:03:02 +0000

Hi Arpine,

The algae don’t live on the lake bottom. They actually float in the water, where they can use the sun’s energy for photosynthesis. So they float around in the lake water, presumably all the way down to the bottom of the photic zone (the depth to which there is enough sunlight for photosynthesis). When they die they sink to the lake bottom where they get preserved in the sediment. I have found the alkenones in mud from every spot on the lake bottom I have looked, but I haven’t done extensive surveys to determine if there are more alkenones in certain spots on the lake bottom.

Since you are an oceanography student, you might be familiar with another alkenone producer from the ocean called Emiliania huxleyi. There are some great websites dedicated to this amazing alga.

Thanks for your question!
Billy

By: Arpine Bandaryan

Arpine Bandaryan — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:02:06 +0000

Hi Billy,
I am an oceanography student at Los Angeles Valley College in CA. I am very interested in your project and find it to be very fascinating. To help me better my understanding about your project, I was wondering if you could help answer my question. I understand that the alkenones are found in lake sediment cores but I wondered if the algae is spread out or is usually found in certain areas of the lake bottom?

Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing from you!

Best of luck,
Arpine

By: Barb Hanson

Barb Hanson — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:08:30 +0000

Great little clip! Very funny when you looked back at the situation, I’m sure. Loved the humor. You have a good attitude! Live long and prosper. You have found the true “diamond in the rough”– as you live out your heart’s desire in beautiful places like that.

By: Robby D'Andrea

Robby D'Andrea — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:09:34 +0000

They know your true intentions…. discovering diamond plumes in Greenlandic lakes.

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:34:30 +0000

This is great. Tell it like it is.

By: bob breen

bob breen — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:13:22 +0000

billy

it”s all about getting up in the morning, going to work, weaving your way through the obstacles, and solving problems. have fun with your research and make a difference.

By: denise reynolds

denise reynolds — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:21:22 +0000

those diabolical diamond bastards and their twisty mustaches! they’re evil, pure evil.

but i’m glad the forces of good prevailed.

have fun digging stuff up!