In the last few weeks, the PhD students have been busy sampling the cores taken in Dogger Bank, Oyster Ground and the Southern Bight for further analysis.
The first set of samples we took were for malacological analysis (study of molluscs). Half of the working halves of our cores were sampled. These sampled were dried, washed, sieved and dried again. The resulting shell samples will be brought to Leiden, where we will study them with Prof. Dr. Frank Wesselingh.
Drying of the samples.Soaking the samples in warm water.Sieving the samples.Example of the resulting shell samples.
The other set of samples were taken for microfossil analysis, more specifically diatoms and pollen. These samples will be analyzed by dr. Tom Hill (PERCS) and dr. Michael Grant (University of Southampton), respectively.
Sampling of the sediment for diatom/pollen analysis.
Since our survey got cancelled, we decided to use this ‘free’ time to our advantage and go on a writing retreat in the week of 12-16 August. For five days we searched out the quiet, somewhere deep in West-Flanders, in a village called ‘Zonnebeke’. And on those five days we started to write. For the WALDO PhD students this meant coming up with paper ideas and trying to figure out the outline of our thesis. We used the pomodoro technique; writing in periods of 25 minutes. Looking back, we can say that it proved itself very useful! And hopefully, in a few months time, everyone will be able to see some first published results…
On Tuesday 2/05, we started with the XRF scanning of the cores at the NIOZ institute (Texel). With 1h30 for roughly one section (~1 m) at 10 mm resolution, we were able to scan five cores already!
Avaatech XRF core scanner “DEX”
However, we still have a few to go. After the weekend, we will try to finish all the cores. In the meantime, we will enjoy everything the island of Texel is offering!
From the 2nd to the 8th of May, we will be scanning our cores with the Avaatech XRF core scanner in the NIOZ institute, Texel (NL). We will be posting updates on our Instagram page throughout the week. Stay tuned!
In the weekend of 9-10/03, a total of 24 cores were scanned with the CT-scanner of the UZ Ghent hospital. Here are some pictures of the PhD students at work and an example of the incoming CT data.
Positioning of the core into the CT-scanner.CT-scanner of UZ Gent, while scanning the core.The two PhD students at work in the CT control room. Incoming data (CT-slice) of a core from the North Axial Channel, showing granules in a clay matrix.
It’s is going to be a busy week for the WALDO project PhD students. Tomorrow (5/03) they will attend the BELQUA 2024 Annual Scientific workshop. On Wednesday (6/03) they will attend the 2024 VLIZ Marine Science Day and they will each present a poster presentation. One poster presentation is focused on the North Axial Channel, where new seismic and vibrocore data was gathered on the last survey (October 2023). This data shows a complex incisional and depositional system and tries to entangle the palaeogeographical evolution of the North (inner) Axial Channel. The other poster will present preliminary results from the areas south of Dogger Bank and Oyster Ground, by the gathered data of the November 2022 and October 2023 survey. This data shows stratigraphic and geomorphic indicators that point to a complex and dynamic environment during the last glacial cycle.
The weekend of 9-10 March is going to be core-scanning weekend at UZ Ghent. A great number of cores will be CT-scanned at the hospital, so stay tuned for some sneak peaks of this on our Instagram/Facebook page!
My name is Jasper Desmet. I am a geology student from the University of Gent, currently in the last year of my master’s degree. I was given the opportunity by VLIZ and UGent to join this expedition for the WALDO project on the RV Belgica as a volunteer, and gladly took it. As of writing this, we are wrapping up the final measurements and heading back to port, which makes this the perfect time to reflect on the past ten days at sea.
The majority of the work conducted during this expedition was the collection of seismic data. The TOPAS (and multibeam) was always recording whenever the ship was moving, and it rarely isn’t. Furthermore, data was also collected using the multi-channel sparker system, although high waves limited the time interval in which it could be used. While the equipment operates smoothly, it must be manned 24/24h to deal with unexpected circumstances if they were to arise. For me, this meant waking up around 5:30 AM every day to aid during the morning shift from 6 to 12 AM, together with Morgan Vervoort, a PhD student from UGent as well. The start of the shift was usually spent in relative solitude until about 7:30 AM; when other scientists slowly joined us in the lab, to attend to their various duties.
Collecting TOPAS dataBelgian windfarm
The other type of data collected were seafloor samples taken with the VLIZ vibrocorer. The locations of these cores were carefully selected by the researchers in charge of the project, based on data from previous expeditions. My task was to aid in splitting the cores in 1 m sections and correctly labelling the cores on deck. The next step is then to split these cores into halves. One half is immediately photographed and described, the other is stored and kept as archives for later analysis in the lab. We managed to split a great number, but not all, of the cores while still on board during a day of calm seas. The rest will be handled at VLIZ/UGent.
Retrieving the sediment core from the VLIZ vibrocorerSplitting the cores in sections of 1 mMe, happily holding a core section!
Outside of working hours there was not a whole lot to do. With no phone connection and limited internet, I spend my free time working on school assignments or simply resting in my cabin. The occasional visit to the ship’s gym allowed for some necessary exercise.
In conclusion; it was a fun experience and great learning opportunity, that I would recommend to anyone getting the chance to join during their studies!
Next wednesday (4th of October) a team composed of VLIZ and UGhent researchers and students will board the RV Belgica for the second official WALDO survey. The planning? Coring and seismics! For a full 10 days we will cross the southern North Sea. Below, you can find a map of all the locations we will visit.
If you want some more info on the planning, and follow our adventures on the RV Belgica, make sure to visit their official website, and the Instagram (@waldonorthsea) or Facebook page of the WALDO project.
While one PhD student of the WALDO-project went to Italy for a foraminifera summer school, the other joined a survey with RV Simon Stevin (VLIZ) in the southern North Sea. As part of the Deep History project, seismic data (PES and single-channel sparker) and core data (vibrocore) were being gathered the 10-15th of June. And while people in Belgium were ‘suffering’ from the heatwave, the North Sea gave us the most lovely, sunny – and not as hot – weather for the survey.
WALDO’s PhD researcher participated in the International School on Foraminifera in Urbino (Italy). The course was held between 5-24 of June 2023 and it was mainly intended for early career researchers and industrial personnel working with Foraminifera, Micropalaeontology, Paleoceanography, Paleoecology, and Climate History. The training consisted of the following modules: (1) Introduction to the Foraminifera, (2) smaller benthic foraminifera, (3) larger benthic foraminifera, and (4) planktonic foraminifera. The course was taught by internationally recognised lectures, with approx. 60 hours of lectures, 60 hours of practical and an one-day field trip focusing on the classic micropaleontological localities near Gubbio!
