Baja hypersaline ponds
|
 The
primary field site of the Ames team is located at the worlds largest salt producing
company in Guerrero Negro, Baja California, Mexico. There, we are studying mats
in hypersaline ponds. Concentrating ponds covering hundreds of square kilometers
are managed by the salt company and are separated from each other with dikes.
This gives the Ames team the ability to study mats growing at many different constant
salinities at one field site. |
| |
Baja
intertidal mat |
 Microbial
mats occur on the shoreline of the lagoon Ojo de Liebre, next to the salt ponds
managed by the salt producing company. Here, Ames team members Tori Hoehler and
Chris Raleigh are making measurements of mats incubated under screens that either
transmit, or block natural solar ultraviolet radiation. |
| |
Ames Greenhouse
One, 1-1-99 |
 In
addition to studying the mats in their natural environment, mats are returned
to Ames Research Center where they are maintained under natural sunlight and flowing
water. The teams greenhouse (photo) is constructed using a special acrylic which
transmits most of the natural ultraviolet radiation present in sunlight. This
is important, as we know that some cyanobacteria use solar ultraviolet radiation
as a directional cue for their migrations. For a live view of the mats in the
greenhouse, click here. |
| |
Microsensor
Measurements on Modern Stromatolites |
 In
conjunction with a research
team led by Dr. Pamela Reid at the University of Miami, the Ames team is also
studying modern stromatolites located on Highborne Cay, in the Bahamas. Here,
team members Pieter Visscher (standing) and Brad Bebout make oxygen and pH microsensor
measurements within the stromatolites growing in the surf zone of the beach. |
| |
Microsensor
Measurements in Yellowstone National Park |
 The
Ames team is interested in the changes that occur in microbial mats as they become
lithified to form stromatolites. Here, Pieter Visscher makes oxygen microsensor
measurements in a microbial mat undergoing lithification at Angels Terrace, in
Yellowstone National Park. |
