11 August 2022

August 2022 Field Day Sampling - Backreef Acropora and Pocillopora

Danielle and Janya returned to the Mahana site (17°29’12.5”S 149°53’16.1”W) for monthly sampling. Following the Field Sampling Protocol, we collected 40 ~5 inch Acropora pulchra fragments from the five patches located on the site. Additionally, 10 4-5 inch fragments of Pocillopora were collected and brought back to Gump Station as well for same day processing. For all sampling locations, a close up photo with the tag was taken. Additionally, a bleaching score photo was taken at each sampling location. If a tag was not found, we sampled from the same colony that the tag should have been located on.

Same Day Processing

After collecting the samples, Danielle and Janya followed the Same Day Sample Processing Protocol to prepare samples for histological analysis, molecular and physiological downstream processing.

Bleaching score photos

All bleaching score photos were downloaded off of the Putnam Lab Canon G7X camera number 2 and uploaded to Pocillopora_Sampling_Colony_Photos and Acropora_Sampling_Colony_Photos for the August 2022 timepoint.

Data tracking

All timepoint and tracking data sheets for the July 2022 timepoint for both Pocillopora and Acropora were updated.

Histological processing

Following the histological processing protocol Danielle checked the histological samples and saw that many had completely been decalcified within 48 hours. She checked that the samples were still acidic and left them longer.