Exhausted

I download the pictures that I have taken for the past 3 days and send them my 2 other friends who went to TMSI as part of the workshadowing programme.
Catching up on my sleep today as I am sleeping for less than 6 hours for the past few days. But I still feel tired.
I have to edit the post on my student reflection journal, organise some photos and fill up my student reflection journal.

TMSI Day 3

Brief Timeline

Time	Events
8.30am-8.45am	Reach NUS Computer Centre
8.45am-9.15am	Walk To TMSI Branch In NUS (Marine Biodiversity Laboratory)
9.15am-9.25am	Travel To Singapore Yacht Club
9.25am-10.30am	View Mr Lim’s Experiment On Anti-fouling
10.30am-11.15am	Clean up The Seawater In The Raft
11.15am-11.30am	Packing Up At The Singapore Yacht Club
11.30am-11.45am	Going Back From The Singapore Yacht Club To TMSI Branch In NUS
11.45am-12.35pm	Reach The TMSI Branch In NUS And Taking A Break
12.35pm-12.50pm	Walk To The Raffles Museum
12.50pm-1.40pm	View The Exhibits In The Raffles Museum
1.40pm	Home

Walk To TMSI Branch In NUS (Marine Biodiversity Laboratory)

We walk from the NUS Computer Centre to the TMSI Branch in NUS. The road that we are walking is quite steep. Mr Lim told us that the TMSI Branch is situated in some old British colonial buildings. Mr Lim showed us a high-tech well situated in TMSI which is used by the Acoustic Research Department for some experiments. I was quite surprised when I saw the well as it has a lot of We also saw a buoy near the high-tech Well. There are dried-out barnacles, green mussels stuck onto the anti-fouling paint of the buoy. Upon exerting a light-force on the dried barnacles, it is easily removed from the paint. On the other hand, the anti-fouling paint is very adhesive hence the paint will not be peeled when the barnacle is removed.

We went into the Marine Biodiversity Laboratory where we packed up to go to Singapore Yacht Club.

Travel To Singapore Yacht Club

We traveled on a van to the Singapore Yacht Club driven by another researcher named Razali. It was a short journey.

View Mr Lim’s Experiment On Anti-fouling

When we reached the Singapore Yacht Club, firstly we went into TMSI room where Mr Lim and Razali packed some of the equipments required for their experiment. They show us equipment which can be used to measure the surface tension of water. A drop of water is placed on the measuring instrument. The instrument will measure the angle. A larger angle will mean that the surface tension is more hydrophobic.

After that we sit on a buggy which fetches us to a make-shift “raft” that contains Mr Lim’s experiment. I helped to pull the rope to pull the raft nearer to the shore. Razali and Mr Lim then took the metals that are suspended on a metal holder in the middle of the raft and coated with anti-fouling paint out of the seawater while we inspect at some barnacles at some nearby metal poles. I noticed that a type of organism that is stuck to the metal pole is squirting water out. Upon asking Razali, I understand that this type of organism squirt water when it is taken out of the water. I learnt that barnacles can survive both in water and out of the water. Barnacles can survive when it is taken out of water up for a period of 6 hours at a time. Besides barnacles, small oysters, different types of sponges, algae attach itself to the metal holder.

After which, Mr Lim explained that the US army collaborate with them to test on the effectiveness of new types of anti-fouling paint in Singapore water and new types of cleaning material and the amount of force that is required to be exerted to clean away the different type of organisms that are attached to the paint. The US army collaborates with TMSI as they are coming up with a machine to clean the ship hull. Depending on the time of the year and the time period which the metal are immersed in the seawater, different types of organisms can be seen attached to the metal plates. There are 4 variables tested in this experiment and one of the variable is the frequency of cleaning the metal plate.

Razali explained that Mr Lim took pictures of the front and back view of each metal plates before and after cleaning. As Mr Lim took the pictures, Razali set up the cleaning device consisting of a force-cage that measures the force required to remove the slime and a type of cleaning sponge. The force-cage will give the same reading either a pulling or pushing action is applied. Razali clean each side of metal plates twice, which each time he took down the readings. Razali allow us to try out the cleaning device.

As Razali took the readings, he told us some interesting facts such as about Greenpeace which is an environment conservation group, most sharks are quite gentle except when they are provoked and only 3 types of sharks are aggressive.

Clean up The Seawater In The Raft

We helped the researchers clean up the waste in the seawater in the raft. As we used the net to scoop the waste which mostly consisting of twigs and dead leaves. But there are empty drink cans, drink packets, plastic bags that inconsiderate people have thrown into the sea. Razali reminded us to protect the environment and not throw our waste into the sea as these wastes pose as a health hazard to marine animals. For example, some turtles may mistaken plastic bags for jellyfish hence it may try to consume the plastic bags which cause them to choke to death. After this we pack up and get ready to go back to the TMSI Branch in NUS.

Reach The TMSI Branch In NUS And Taking A Break

When we reach the TMSi Branch in NUS Razil pointed to us a chameleon which has camouflage itself under a bush near our van. After which we are given a break while Mr Lim did some work. We use the time to write our messages on the cards that we are giving to Mr Lim and Jani together with chocolates as a thank-you gift.

Walk To The Raffles Museum

We take a fifteen minutes walk from TMSI Branch in NUS to the Raffles Museum which is situated in the Faculty of Science. On the way, we passed by the Marine Aquarium where some of the coral experiments are carried out. Besides, we passed by the Department Of Biological Sciences Administration where Mr Lim tell us about some of the science courses that are offered in NUS. This gives me a clearer picture of the courses offered which has help me to narrow down the courses that I will consider taking after the A Levels. Besides, we passed by a stretch where there are different mini man-made habitats such as a pond which contains Native Freshwater Swamp Forest Species and another which contains Exotic Freshwater Species.

There is a phylogenic garden with different species of plants with their scientific names. Mr Lim told us that student who took botany as one of the module will have to memorize all the names of the plants in the garden.

View The Exhibits In The Raffles Museum

We went into the Raffles Museum where we need to sign in. Upon stepping into the Museum, the atmosphere is different. All around the museum, there are animals being preserved in jars and other replicas of the original animals. We talked in whispers as if we are in the library. Most of the exhibits shown are animals and plants that are found in Singapore and the small islands around Singapore such as Pulau Ubin, Sentosa, etc. There are land as well as sea animals and plants. I like the exhibits on seashells and Surprising Singapore while I find the exhibits of animals being preserved by chemicals in bottles disgusting. I was amazed by the diversity of animals found in Singapore, many of the animals which we have not expect them to exist in Singapore. For example, Phyllium Bioculation (Order: Odonata) which is found at Nee Soon Swarmp-forest on May 1992 and also the Brain Coral.

Tropical Marine Science Institute Day 2

Hiya, this is the 2nd Day of my workshadowing programme.

Brief Timeline

Time	Events
9.10am-9.30am	Reach The Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal
9.30am -10.00am	Take The Ferry From Singapore To St John Island
10.00am-10.15am	Walk From Ferry Terminal To TMSI
10.15am-11.00am	Biotech Lab
11.00am-12.15pm	Culture Facility
12.15pm-1.30pm	Lunch At The Canteen
1.30pm-2.35pm	Biotech Lab
2.35pm-4.40pm	Mini-Library
4.40pm-5.15pm	Biotech Lab (Help to clean up)
5.20pm	Take The Ferry From St John Island To Singapore

1st Day At Tropical Marine Science Institute

Brief Timeline

Time	Events
9.10am-9.30am	Reach The Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal
9.30am -10.00am	Take The Ferry From Singapore To St John Island
10.00am-10.20am	Walk From Ferry Terminal To TMSI
10.20am-10.45am	Go To Biotech Lab
10.45am-11.35am	Go To Seminar Room To Watch An Introductory Video And Self-introduction
11.35am-12.40am	Lunch At The Canteen And Went To The Mini Library To Browse Through Some Marine Books
12.40am-4.40am	Help the Researchers With Their Research Work At Marine Bio Aquarium B
4.40am-5.00am	Go Back To The Biotech Lab Mr Lim Explained To Us Part Of His Research Work And Showed Us Some Pictures Of Marine Organisms.
5.00am-5.15am	Mr Lim Brought Us Back To The Marine Bio Aquarium B To Take A Look At Mr Lim’s Project On Anti-filing
5.15am-5.20am	Go Back To The Biotech Lab To Get Our Things
5.20am	Home

Walk From Ferry Terminal To TMSI

It is quite a long walk from the ferry terminal to TMSI about 200m. It is a rainy day today and the pathway is quite muddy and slippery. But on the other hand, St John’s island really feel like a resort with its fresh air and tranquility. On the way, we chat with our work guide Mr Lim and his colleague to get to know about their research work and also a bit about the history of St John Island.

Go To Biotech Lab

We were introduced to the working conditions of a research lab. When I went in, it looks very different from the lab that I expected it to be. There are rows of empty shelves, a computer and some equipments. Mr Lim introduced us to the project that he is currently working on which is on anti-filing. The term anti-filing is a new term to me. From the explanation that he has given us, I understand that anti-filing is a term used to described a type of coating used to coat underwater structures, the hulls of boats so that barnacles, seaweed or by slime-creating bacteria are unable to thrive and grow on it. This is to prevent these marine organisms to add on to the weight of the boat so as to prevent fouling of hulls which creates turbulence as a ship moves through the water. This is to minimize increasing the extra fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent due to the growth of these marine organisms. In the past, a tin-based coating is used on the hulls. Although it is highly effective to prevent fouling of hulls but these paints are highly toxic and can leach into the water, killing marine life. Nowadays a non-toxic paint is used to prevent fouling, whether by bacteria or barnacles. The paints act not only by minimizing adhesion by organisms but also by enabling hulls to become self-cleaning: As a ship moves through the water at 10 to 15 knots, the turbulence created removes the clinging barnacle or seaweed. Mr Lim also let us have a look at some of the samples that he had collected on anti-filing which he will be testing it for results soon.

Go To Seminar Room To Watch An Introductory Video And Self-introduction

We were shown a short introductory video of TMSI. From there we get to have a brief idea of the various departments in TMSI. Although the video shows researchers working on fishes, seahorses and dolphins, but from the researchers I understand that current projects does not involved much marine animals. I was a bit disappointed when I heard that I will not get to see marine animals.

After that we had a brief introduction of ourselves and our two researchers which will be following us in the next few days. From this session I get to know more about ther researchers work. I understand that the researchers must firstly come up with a hypothesis. Secondly, they have to work on a proposal, after which they have to collaborate with various similar organizations on their work before obtaining fundings from sponsors. After which they have to carry out the experiment over a period of time. Contrary to popular beliefs, researchers do not spend all their time in the lab doing testings and experiments. In actual fact, marine researchers have to go out to the natural habitats to collect specimens and to do testings. They can dive into the sea to collect corals, sea cucumbers etc. They spend a lot of time collecting specimens and doing the statistics. Hence maths is an important subject. From here I also understand that researchers have to be objective instead of subjective and there is no such thing as a failed experiment. A failed experiment only occurs if the researcher is bias or the statistics are made up. Hence having integrity is important as a researcher. Researchers also have to write papers and publish their papers in books and journals.

Lunch At The Canteen And Went To The Mini Library To Browse Through Some Marine Books

We have our lunch at the kitchen which is an open-space room. It has a long table and microwave ovens and stoves. The microwave ovens are for the researchers to warm up their packed food while I saw two researchers cooking up their lunches in the kitchen. As it is an open-space, occasionally there are some insects flying in while we are eating our lunch and we saw a huge bug at the ceiling lights.

The library we went to is really small. It has 5 shelves half-filled with videos and books mostly about marine animals. I glanced through a few books and get to know about some gems in South-east asia and also about the marine organisms in South-east asia. Although the library is small but it is cosy and comfortable.

Help the Researchers With Their Research Work At Marine Bio Aquarium B

We understand from the researcher that we are working with that corals a type of animal and they are able to reproduce by both sexual and asexual reproduction.

Firstly, we were taught how to mount corals on ceramic tiles using superglue. We were to use the clippers to cut pieces of coral(about 0.5cm to 1cm) from a small piece of coral that is broken off from a larger piece of coral. After which we are supposed to stick the small pieces of coral on the ceramic tile using superglue. The corals are supposed to be stuck on the protruding lines on the tiles at about 3cm away from each other to allow the corals to grow. Each tile can mount up to 15 pieces of coral. As corals are able to reproduce by asexual reproduction, mounting them on tiles and putting them back into sea water will allow them to grow. These corals can be used for further research purposes or to be put back into the sea. But as these corals are grown in a relatively controlled environment, when the corals are placed back into the sea, it may not survive thus most of these lab grown corals are used for experiments. While I am mounting the corals, I noticed that the corals secreting a transparent mucus-like secretion from itself. Upon clarification with the researcher Jani, I learnt that corals secrete mucus when they are taken out of water as a form of defense mechanism and also to keep “themselves” moist.

Secondly, we help Jani to transfer coral larvae from a container into small Petri dishes. We have to use a pipette to suck up the coral larvae from the container containing coral larvae and filtered sea water and placed 10 coral larvae into each Petri dishes. This experiment is carried out to find out the rate of coral settlement and try to come up with a method to ensure the corals survive after 3 days in a laboratory. We have to ensure that the sea water level is the same in each Petri dish to ensure that the experiment is accurate.

Coral larvae reproduced by sexual reproduction. This is to ensure that there is a variety of coral.

Go Back To The Biotech Lab

Mr Lim explained to us part of his research work on Anti-fouling and showed us some pictures of marine organisms that they have taken such as barnacles, sponges, algae, seahorse, starfish etc. We even get to see and touch a dead barnacle specimen.

Mr Lim Brought Us Back To The Marine Bio Aquarium B

Mr Lim showed us some adult barnacles that some of the other researchers have grown in the tank for some experiment. I have learnt the life-cycle of barnacles. The first stage of the larval development is called Nauplius stage which closely resembles the larvae of a Copepod. The next stage is called the Cypris larva because it resembles a member of another group of crustaceans, Cypris. At this stage, it does not eat but it is able to survive up to 13 days.During this period, it must find a place to attach itself, if it is unable to attach itself, it will die. Within twelve hours after attachment it builds a shell which the adult barnacle will spend its life inside.

Besides, Mr Lim showed us his project on anti-filing which is several pieces of different metals suspended in a tank containing seawater and barnacles. It is left for a certain period of time after which Mr Lim will inspect the metal and do a count. The metal with the least number of barnacles attach to it will be the most effective material used for anti-fouling.