Attempt at coring in the South Shore

Went out with Profs Christensen and Farmer and others as they attempted to get a 10 foot long vibracore sample of the sediments at a south shore estuary. I was worried there would be good weather, but fortunately there was a downpour the entire time that we were there.

A vibracore is run by a small engine, in this case a cement mixer engine, it looks like a typical lawnmower gas engine, it even starts by pulling a cord. Or at least, thats how it is supposed to start. This one, which had apparently been purchased a few years ago, but was never started up before, wouldn't start up now. One of the other people, who had brought it for the coring, tried their best to get the thing working, even running out to get starter fluid to spray onto the machine. All to no avail. The sky poured out cold rain on us all day while we stood around the engine in parking lot for a few hours without it started. Low tide was starting at 1230, we had needed to have trugged out to the coring site, assemble to support for the corer, and get it running into the ground and then pull out the core before high tide came in. So by that time, even if the engine were to start, we probably wouldn't be able to core anyway.

We went back to the Christenen's office and decided to keep most of the coring materials there, everyone else is going to try to figure out what's wrong with the engine and they plan on re-attempting the 28th. I think that I will meet them out there for that also, I have nothing to do with the project, but I can help with the actual coring, and that will allow me to see how its done. I'll make sure to get some waterproof boots and pants before then too, being soaked in the rain in jeans isn't too pleasant.

After putting everything back, Dr.s Christen, Farmer, a grad student, and I went to get lunch at a local indian restaurant that we've been to a few times before. Lunch at least was hot and good and the Kingfisher hit the spot. After that, Dr. Farmer had planned on coming back to the lab so that we could go over our 1085B project. Unfortunately she had to run back to Hofstra first to enter in grades for the semester, and got caught up there and couldn't make it over. Christensen and I got some work done and made some progress on the work.