Boats and Equipment
Students participating in STAR use state-of-the-art research methods and equipment. SERC's research vessel the R/V Saxatilis and Arlington Echo's Lady Echo are both available for students' sampling trips on the Rhode River, Severn River, and Chesapeake Bay.
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Hydrolab mini sonde
This state-of-the art mini sonde can be lowered into the water to measure water quality parameters at different depths. The hydrolab measures depth, temperature, conductivity, pH, salinity, chlorophyll, turbidity, oxidation reduction potential, and dissolved oxygen.
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Plankton Tow
The plankton net is a funnel-shaped, fine-meshed net that is towed through the water.The net is towed using a key ring and three strands of string which are tied onto a wire hoop. The hoop itself holds open a cylinder of fine mesh netting, shaped like a wind sock. The bottom of the plankton net is bound to a plastic bottle with a string. After the net is pulled through seawater, the particles which do not pass through the net will be concentrated and trapped.
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Bottom Grab Sampler
This sampler is designed to collect an accurate representative sample of the sediment bottom. The bite of the sampler should be deep enough so all depths are sampled equally. The closing mechanism is required to completely close and hold the sample as well as prevent wash-out during retrieval. Likewise, during descent the sampler should be designed to minimize disturbance of the topmost sediment by the pressure wave as it is lowered to the bottom.
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Horizontal Bottom Sampler
Intended for shallow or deep waters, these bottles are called “horizontal” because they descend, parallel to the bottom. They are pulled sideways just before closing by the operator. This ensures a representative water sample for that specific depth. They are ideal for sampling at the thermocline, at other stratification levels, or just above the bottom sediments.
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