Fieldwork Foibles

Sometimes scientists work in a laboratory. Sometimes they work on computers. Often, however, scientists must go out into the environment they study. This is called fieldwork.

Kirsten Hintze studies cyanobacteria that live in Saguaro Lake. She must collect samples of the bacteria to study in her lab. To make her collections, Hintze takes a boat out on the lake and scoops water from several areas.

Unlike a carefully controlled lab experiment, fieldwork is full of surprises and unexpected situations.

“Field researchers have to be creative in coming up with ways to answer questions,” says Hintze. “Sometimes they have to be creative in dealing with unforeseen problems out in the field. The weather, the wildlife, and even the machines that researchers use do not always cooperate.”

A plant biologist who works in the field probably knows a lot more than biology. She might be skilled at fixing cars, because when her SUV breaks down in the wilderness, no one is around to help. She probably knows what to do when she encounters a rattlesnake or bear, or how to treat a case of poison ivy, and how to set up a tent. She should also be handy at making things.

“Sometimes you have to make your own tools. You have to devise ways to measure things that haven’t been measured before,” Hintze explains.

For example, researchers studying canal water in Phoenix needed to measure how much algae grew on the canal walls. They needed a tool to scrape off the algae. But they needed a way to get the same amount each time without it being washed away by the water current. They also needed a tool that could reach down into the canal to collect the sample. It’s dangerous for people to climb into the canal itself.

The ASU scientists found a solution. They got some pool cleaning poles and attached a wire brush to the end. This let them reach into the canal and scrape off the algae.

But there was still a problem to solve. How could they collect what they scraped off?

They made a box out of Plexiglas with a fine mesh net on one side. When they scraped the algae, they scraped it right into the box.

The solution wasn’t an expensive, high-tech piece of equipment, but it got the job done.

Besides poles and brushes, some of the most important field tools are courage, friendliness, and a good sense of humor.

“One time we were out on the far end of the lake,” Hintze recalls. “We were way past all the warning signs that say, ‘Danger! Do not go any further!’ Of course, that is where the motor of our boat decided to stop.

“The oars we had were pretty useless. They were like toothpicks with plastic spoons on the end,” she says. “Somehow, we managed to get to shore, in case we had to hike out of there. About a half hour later another boat—as reckless as we were—came near. After minimal begging and pleading they agreed to tow us out.”

When the group got to shore, Hintze and her companion asked how they could repay their rescuers.

“Just give a tow to the next people out there who need help,” was the reply. —Diane Boudreau