Ocean Surveyor just offshore the investigating area. The old cellulose factory is visible in the background. Anna gives instructions to the crew on deck on how to proceed with today’s coring activities.

8.00. Today, we have a special assignment in addition to the everyday routine work. We will recover sediment samples from an area just offshore an old cellulose factory. From previous investigations, we know that the sediments in this area contain a high amount of toxins, like mercury and arsenic. Our task is to recover long sediment cores from 8 individual sites. These will be analysed and the results used to estimate the volume and distribution of toxic sediments in the area.

11.00 At our first coring site, when the vibro corer is going down through the water column, bubbles suddenly appear at the surface. Often when the sediments contain high amounts of organic substances, like cellulose, gas is produced in the sediments. The bubbles indicate that we have hit the right spot. We probably have the toxic sediments right below us!

Gas bubbles (probably methane) appear at the surface.

14.00. Our work with the coring is going without any problems. We have recovered meters of toxic fibrous sediments so far. However, we have to be careful when we handle the cores so we don´t get any toxins on our hands. Glows are recommended.

With my colleagues and the deck crew, we will continue to collect sediment samples in this area during the rest of the day (and evening). It will be a long day with heavy coring. Nevertheless, the mood on the ship is good. Anna has promised film and popcorn later... it is Friday!

A photo of toxic sediments. Fibres are also visible in the picture