Anna in the surveyor room selecting new coring sites in survey area K.

8.00. Last evening we continued our work in the area named K. During the survey, we concluded that we need additional sample sites (coring sites) to determine the spatial extent of polluted sediments in this area. So far, we had only identified a thin layer (c. 10 cm thick) of polluted sediments. By studying bathymetry maps and seismic profiles, which we have available in our survey room, 3 new coring sites were identified. We decided to go on with the coring in the morning.

11.00. At the second site today, we used the vibro corer to recover a long sediment sequence. As the core was retrieved, and subsequently cut into 1 m sections, a very bad smell started to spread on deck (I could hear someone say; oh my god, it smells like pooh!). After splitting the individual sections, we could see what was causing this very appalling smell. It was 4 m of polluted fibrous sediments. The sediments were black in colour - and so smelly that we had to do the sub-sampling on deck!

Lovisa sub-samples smelly sediments on deck.

14.00 After sub-sampling and sediment descriptions, the sediment cores were wrapped in plastic and put in the freezer for storage. We just about finished before Helen called out that lunch was ready. Today we got carrot soup...and apple pudding for desert (absolutely fantastic)!