We are a group of freshwater ecologists from the Biology Department at St. Catherine University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Our research takes us to Iceland and other arctic regions where we are working to understand how temperature influences nitrogen fixation rates and metabolism in cyanobacterial assemblages. Nitrogen fixation is extremely sensitive to temperature and therefore nitrogen gas from the atmosphere may become more accessible to freshwater ecosystems as the climate warms. We are working to understand the potential ecological and environmental implications of changes in cyanobacteria species composition and nitrogen fixation rates in arctic lakes and streams.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Ocean Walk

While we were in Reykjavik we experienced one of sunniest days of the summer!

The weather here is normally cloudy and with periods of rain. Therefore, it was refreshing to see the sun and some bright blue sky. Since it was a wonderfully, glorious, bright, sunny day we finished work early and went out to explore the city and enjoy the sun.

I was able to take a long walk down a pathway by the ocean in Reykjavik. The ocean, a deep blue beauty, remains such a mystery to me no matter how much I learn about it. Along the path, there are a few spots where you can reach the water - one rocky and the other sandy. 



Listening to the sound of the water rolling over the shore and feeling the warmth of the bright sun beaming down, I couldn’t resist dipping my feet in the frigid cold water. 


This large rock on the beach had two distinct communities of organisms:









The limpet invasion 







and the slippery seaweed.
Be careful or they'll get you.....


Finally, at the end of the pathway, you reach a tiny yellow lighthouse, telling you that you've reached the outermost stretch of the peninsula that dips out into the sea.  And nice that it is easy to spot from all directions -  it is the color of rain boots. 

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