The SMAST acoustic-optic test tank today welcomed the New Bedford Police Underwater Recovery Unit for the first of an anticipated series of training sessions.
“It is critical to train members of this unit in many different situations and environments,” said Sergeant Jason Gomes, CO of the Port Security Unit and a supervisor on the Underwater Recovery Unit. Continue reading
The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees approved a resolution Wednesday paving the way for the expansion of the UMass Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology in New Bedford. The resolution allows UMass Dartmouth to accept 3 acres of property from the United States government, where the university plans to construct 55,000 square feet of new marine science education and research space. “We very much appreciate the support of the Board of Trustees for this important step in the expansion of SMAST,” said SMAST Dean Steven Lohrenz. “This new facility and the renovation of the current SMAST building in the South End of New Bedford will greatly enhance the capabilities of our program.” Read more.
SMAST scientist Dan MacDonald was vacationing on the shores of Lake Sunapee in western New Hampshire, where he grew up, when he read that the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) was launching a study of the algal blooms that occasionally plague parts of the lake. Dan noted that the physical circulation of the lake–which can play a major role in the location and size of blooms–was not included in the study, and he just happened to have the necessary instruments back at the lab. The upshot: on a balmy day in late June, Dan and SMAST engineer Chris Jakubiak boarded a pontoon boat along with LSPA members and divers, and deployed a current profiler on one of the shallow sills that separate Lake Sunapee’s deep basins. The researchers plan to collect the profiler and accompanying temperature chains in late September for a first glimpse of the lake’s summer circulation regime.
A new state-of-the-art Computational Teaching Laboratory (CTL) officially opened yesterday with a reception at the SMAST Fairhaven facility. The CTL houses student workstations and a large central server for both teaching and research. Analytical and teaching software enable use of the CTL for instruction through small, lab-based courses and lectures. In attendance at the laboratory’s opening were: UMass Dartmouth Provost Anthony Garro, SMAST Dean John Farrington, and Robert Gamache, Dean of the UMass School of Marine Sciences, whose offices, along with both SMAST departments (DEOS and DFO), provided funding for the lab. Professor James Bisagni, CTL administrator, hosted yesterday’s reception.
SMAST’s built-in seawater system draws in water from Clark’s Cove, making possible laboratory research on living marine organisms. But warm summer water from the cove can severely stress and even threaten the lives of creatures accustomed to life on Georges Bank and other colder-water environments, in turn threatening the research of those who study them. This spring, three graduate students conducting research in the Seawater Lab set about to build a better seawater system. Designed by SMAST Prof. Brad Stevens, the new system recirculates the seawater through chillers which lower the water temperature a few degrees with every pass, a biofilter to remove waste products, and a UV sterilizer system. Crista Bank (monkfish), Adam Barkley (flounder), and Fiona Hogan (skates) provided their labor, and the final pipe was put in place last week.
Working since August, RDA Construction of Boston is on track to complete a $700,000 renovation of the SMAST pier by mid-January. The bulk of the work involves reinforcing/replacing steel braces, mostly under water, that have suffered progressive corrosion and punishment from Clark’s Cove waves and tides. RDA is also replacing the aging pumps which keep fresh seawater circulating in the tanks of the living marine specimens used in research. Other scheduled improvements include upgrading the lighting, and fitting the pier with bumper-boards to allow convenient access by boats.