{"id":1540,"date":"2022-06-12T17:27:02","date_gmt":"2022-06-12T17:27:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/pufins-at-sea\/?p=1540"},"modified":"2022-06-11T20:27:38","modified_gmt":"2022-06-11T20:27:38","slug":"water-sampling-with-mclane-pumps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/pufins-at-sea\/water-sampling-with-mclane-pumps\/","title":{"rendered":"Water Sampling with McLane Pumps"},"content":{"rendered":"

McLane Pump<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

If you’re like me you’re wondering how our research team samples the ocean at various depths? For this trip we have 2 techniques, the CTD, more information coming later, and the McLane Pump. The pumps are monitored and prepared for deployment by McLane pump specialist Julie Sengstacken.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Putting together the McLane Pumps at the start of the expedition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She takes great pride in maintaining technology that has been very particular about when it wants to work. I think other McLane pump specialists have close relationships with these pumps, which is why three of the pumps came to us with names already. Let me introduce you to: The Crown, Michael Jordan, Jabba the Hutt, and newly named on this expedition, Theon Greyjoy.\u00a0 On Theon\u2019s first trip into the ocean he failed to filter water, but Julie knew after further review and resetting on the next launch Theon would come through, just like in the series he earned his name after.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Four McLane pumps with out filter attachments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Filter paper compartment on the McLane pump.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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According to McLane Resource Laboratories the McLane Pump is a \u201cLarge Volume Water Transfer System (WTS-LV)”. A large volume single-event sampler that collects suspended and dissolved particulate samples in situ into a 142 mm membrane filter. The WTS-LV allows for a choice of pump size and filter porosity for a range of specimen collection. The collection targets include chlorophyll maximum, particulate trace metals, and phytoplankton. In the four hours a McLane pump is filtering water each pump can filter about 3000 gallons of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Image of 3000 gallon tank with a person as a scale reference. Image from rainharvestingsupplies.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That is a lot of water! There’s a lot more particulate than just the small sample a scientist can work with from the CTD, which is a water capturing system of bottles. The CTD’s close at programmed depths and then they are brought back to the surface with just a few gallons of water. The scientists looking at particles in the water find the McLane pump filters to be a valuable piece of equipment for collecting data.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch the short time lapse video of the McLane pump filter being placed into the chamber for the next deployment.<\/p>\n