Performing an experiment like this, so far from the oceans, has been a real challenge, since keeping the animals happy and fed, all in appropriate water quality conditions, takes considerable monitoring effort. Chaunte, Eva, Jacob and Mitch have been working behind-the-scenes to make sure we have accurate and regular data on all chemical parameters. All the team has also been involved in making new Instant Ocean on an almost daily basis, as well as performing routine water changes on the tanks. It’s through the enthusiasm and dedication of the team that these experiments are possible!

After a very busy experimental set-up day, Elliot and Ian performed the T=24 sampling of the inoculated and control sea stars. All stars still look fine, although Ian noted that all (including the control stars) appear to have a more ‘knobby’ appearance, and all seem to have lost a bit of weight in the first…