A Classroom in the Ocean

Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS– A scientific vessel called the Falkor (too) drifts across an endless expanse of waves with a cargo of international scientists, on a mission to explore the depths off the coast of Chile and the elusive sea creatures waiting far below.

Among the scientists aboard are UTRGV’s Dr. Erin Easton, assistant professor with the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences and scientist on the Schmidt Ocean Institute Research vessel, and two UTRGV students she is mentoring: Elyssia Gonzalez, a grad student pursuing a master’s degree in Ocean, Coast and Earth Sciences, and Megan Francis, a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology.

The research underway from two expeditions has already yielded more than 200 species living on seamounts – underwater mountains formed by volcanoes. Those species are either newly discovered or new to the area under study.

Identification of various types of deep-sea corals, glass sponges, sea urchins, amphipods and numerous other species was facilitated by Schmidt Ocean Institute, a private, nonprofit foundation established to advance oceanographic research, discovery and knowledge.

The researchers, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called SuBastian, are able to guide it along the 2,900-kilometer underwater mountain chains known as the Nazca and Salas y Gomez Ridge.

Easton said both UTRGV students were able to assist her with identifying species, working with software to help catalogue specimens, getting hands-on experience in a working marine lab, and conducting biological analysis with samples sent to the surface from SuBastian.

“I think this type of research opportunity is really priceless for students,” she said. “A lot of students aren’t able to go on their first cruise until they’re long into their postgraduate work, and having this experience now can be really foundational in helping them decide what they want to pursue in their careers.”

LEARNING AT SEA

Schmidt Ocean Institute hosted two exploratory expeditions, one from Jan. 8 to Feb. 11, and the other from Feb. 24 to April 4.

During the first expedition, scientists primarily investigated the Nazca and Juan Fernandez Ridge seamounts where 100 suspected new species were discovered. In the most recent expedition, which concluded this month exploring the Salas y Gomez Ridge to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), scientists observed 160 species that had not yet been known to live in the region; 50 of them are suspected to be new to science.

While aboard the Falkor (too), UTRGV students Francis and Gonzalez were able to work in laboratories alongside Schmidt Ocean Institute scientists to observe findings from SuBastian, which is capable of descending to depths up to 4,500 meters (about 14,564 feet, roughly equivalent to the height of the Matterhorn in the Alps).

Easton recalled being able to go on research cruises during her own time in college.

“I had a lot of support from my professors to have cruise opportunities, so I wanted to make sure to offer the same thing,” she said. “I opened the opportunity to any marine biology student at UTRGV, so these students applied and showed a lot of interest, and I brought them along.”

Francis, originally from Sharon, Massachusetts, was part of the ship’s second expedition, working in the lab to catalogue specimens and conducting tests along with fellow undergrad and graduate students from around the world.

She was trying to absorb as much as she could from what she knew was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I’ve never gone on any expedition, let alone a 40-day expedition, and it’s just so amazing,” Francis said. “It’s a little bit surreal. I’m working with grad students from Chile studying the different species we’ve encountered and cataloguing them. It’s surreal seeing these pictures of creatures I used to watch videos of and now actually seeing them in action.”

Francis, gazing occasionally at the open ocean outside her cabin window, said that while life aboard the ship could become hectic, being able to look outside and see the ocean surrounding her was grounding.

“I just don’t think I can stress enough how excited I am,” she said.

During her expedition, Francis was able to explore the intersections between her major and her other field of interest, medicine.

“I think one of the best parts of getting to be on a cruise like this is being able to understand what marine biology could be for me,” she said. “It’s really wonderful that I get to practice lab techniques that will become useful in the future, will allow for more opportunities. Also, just being able to work in a multicultural lab setting is amazing.”

Gonzalez, aboard the first expedition, said the impact of being able to conduct this type of research is pivotal for her future career within ocean, coast and earth sciences.

“Being able to jump into the world of the ocean and being able to have that hands-on experience, collaborate with the fellow students on board and shadow and learn from the research professionals, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, for sure,” she said.

Her role during the expedition included retrieving samples from SuBastian and working in the lab with scientists.

“I learned early on to establish a routine because the hours go fast,” she said. “I got to prepare sample tubes, label the containers that would be used to store and gather specimens, and process them in the lab.”

Gonzalez was able to process sea urchins, sea stars and mollusks, among many other deep-sea organisms.

“I love coral reefs,” she said. “I got to see this really cool spider crab. Just being able to learn how to process these samples for analysis and prepare them for biological analysis was really awesome,” she said.