Special Science Report

February 28, 2008

Heather Allaway


Project:
Protection by the Regolith


Personnel:
Heather Allaway


Operations Data Collected:
Chris and Aravind accompanied me on the final EVA to collect samples to be shipped out for Shannon's ongoing halophile project along Copernicus Highway and at Muddy Creek.

CH001-12 S 0516986 4256175
CH002-12 S 0517353 4256395
CH003-12 S 0518010 4256787
CH004-12 S 0518398 4257515
CH005-12 S 0518398 4257577
CH006-12 S 0518387 4257633
CH007-12 S 0518350 4257769
CH008-12 S 0518312 4257864

Samples collected earlier for my project were plated last night on different 2 salt formulations of agar.


Technical/Equipment Issues:
We were unable to go to Salt Wash due to the vehicle rented is not a robust 4WD vehicle.

One formulation of agar and salt is more stable than the other. There appears to be not enough agar in the second batch of agar NaCl as it is dripping into the lid as it sits in the incubator.


Discussion:
Allow samples to grow in the Petri dishes as they are and inspect for growth on Saturday. If I return to MDRS to do another halophile project I would need to work out the problems with the LB increased salt concentration agar that causes it not to set up properly once poured into Petri dishes.


Questions for CSO:
None at this time.

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