By: Lauren McCarthy, Science Communications intern
June 21st, 2016 marks the date of the third annual Ocean Sampling Day (OSD). This is a global initiative led by the European consortium Microbial Biodiversity Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, more commonly known as Micro B3. OSD is a day of international seawater sampling that occurs on the June solstice. Nearly 200 different sampling sites spanning all seven continents have contributed data to this project since it began in 2014.
The aim of OSD is to use the collaborative work of oceanographic research institutions and citizen scientists to compile a comprehensive data set for future research projects. The OSD prioritizes the standardization of time, space, and environmental parameters for seawater samples to maintain consistency between global data points.
Research scientists and interns at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences participated in the 2016 Ocean Sampling Day. Water samples are collected from Bigelow’s dock on the Damariscotta River and from West Boothbay Harbor using Niskin bottles. Following collection, each sample is filtered, labelled and bagged before it is stored in liquid nitrogen or a -80°C freezer. Samplers from around the world follow a similar procedure, and all samples are shipped to Germany for analysis. Since relatively little is known about marine microbes, comprehensive DNA sequencing is required to learn more about these organisms. Samples collected during OSD will allow researchers to link existing marine molecular data with global environmental data collected in the field through location, time, and depth parameters.
Since this project began at Micro B3, DNA-sequencing data at both the genomic and metagenomic scales has confirmed the immense diversity of marine microbes and established a need for further research in this area. By exploring diversity, Micro B3’s research also increases the possibility of discovery of enzymes for biotechnological uses. Ocean Sampling Day will help to expand scientific knowledge of marine microbial biodiversity and their function within ocean ecosystems.
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