7 Spotlight on International Research OSU researchers study the Benguela Upwelling System By Jessica Cofrancesco (MS Student) Jessica Cofrancesco worked aboard the Research Vessel MIRABILIS out of the port of Walvis Bay, Namibia, sampling water and sediments from the Benguela Upwelling System. In the summer of 2015, Jessica Cofrancesco, a second year graduate student at Oklahoma State University-Boone Pickens School of Geology, was selected to take part in the 2nd African Research Discovery Camp of the Regional Graduate Network in Oceanography (RGNO) program. This is an international program held at the University of Namibia in which graduate students from around the world come together for a multidisciplinary collaboration project. It was an incredible experience! Our group consisted of thirteen young scientists (geologists, microbiologists, and geobiologists) from Namibia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Estonia, UK, Chile, and USA. From left to right is Katharina Siedenberg, Lorenzo Lagostina, Jessica Cofrancesco and Felipe Salas de Freitas at the University of Namibia in Henties Baai. While in Namibia, we attended classes for a few weeks to learn about microbial and geochemical oceanography, in particular about ways in which microbes participate in geochemical cycles in upwelling ecosystems and how chemical, physical and atmospheric processes in turn influence microbial physiology. The class, led by Dr. Kurt Hanselmann and Dr. Timothy Eglinton of the University of Zurich gave us many of the tools that we would need for the six day cruises on which we were about to embark. Together with scientists from the National Marine Information and Research Center (Nat MIRC), we performed in situ measurements in the Benguela Upwelling System, and collected samples to help with their studies, as well as for our own research projects. I was able to collect four surface sediment cores from the shelf and upper slope in order to study sediment trace metal geochemistry and its relation to the organic matter that is preserved in the sediments of the most productive upwelling region in the ocean. The reconstruction of paleo-redox conditions and paleo-depositional environments has become a key step in petroleum exploration. This study aims to shed light on some of the “paleo-proxy” contradictions found in some of the black shales from the Western Interior Seaways, through the application of geochemical proxies in a modern analogue of a black shale formation. It was a very unique experience studying and working abroad. I got to see exactly what it takes to work and live in another country. Travelling internationally to Namibia with all of my personal gear and sampling supplies was a learning experience in and of itself. Additionally, I learned to live in a research environment by staying in dormitories with the other students. I experienced the local culture through their food, and occasionally, shopping in their markets. By obtaining my own samples onboard a research vessel, instead of simply reading about doing it in a journal article, I was able to see where the samples came from. Knowing this gave me a better understanding of the overall geological setting, which helped with future lab experiments. Being there also gave me an appreciation of the work involved in retrieving the samples, as well as the care it takes to make sure they are stored in the proper environment for analysis. I shipped my samples back to my own lab in the U.S. This involved preparing the samples with correct packaging as to not be spilled or spoiled while in transit. The rules and regulations of international customs had to be met as well. Finally, the cost and payment of shipping was an issue that I had to manage as well. From left to right, Felipe Salas de Freites and Jessica Cofrancesco sieving seafloor sediments on board the RV MIRABILIS. This experience was valuable for my career in geology. I encourage other students to take part in international studies like this one at every opportunity available. I made many new friends while working in close cooperation with the other scientists.
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