The Science/Research Vessel

The goal of this research project is to better understand how the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers mix with the water in the Gulf of Mexico.  Freshwater, which comes from the two rivers is very rich in an element called Radium.  Saltwater, like the Gulf of Mexico retains, has very small amounts of radium.  So, we can tell how freshwater is mixing with saltwater by testing for concentrations of Radium.  Other scientists on board will be tracking how freshwater moves into the Gulf of Mexico by tracking nutrients and metals, because they are also found in freshwater.  We will be using different specialized machines to count Radium in the water samples we collect.  For more detailed information on the science behind our research, and on the are the trip will cover, visit our website:    http://www.stpt.usf.edu/coas/espg/magmix/home.asp

The research vessel we will be traveling on to the sites at which we will take sample is the RV Pelican.  The RV Pelican is a 116 ft.  vessel owned and operated by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.  Its port of call is the Marine Center in Cocodrie, Louisiana.  For more information on on the RV Pelican and for pictures, visit it website: http://www.lumcon.edu/pelican/