The Lazarette Gazette NEWS FROM The University of Texas at Austin MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE Port Aransas, Texas 78373-1267 (512-749-6760 -fax 512-749-6777) (internet: thompson@utmsi.zo.utexas.edu) In this issue of Lazarette Gazette Clark Hubbs: Crab Attack .. ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cover Recent Ph.D. recipients invited speakers at Dissertation Symposium . . . . . . . . 4 Lee Fuiman: 5,047 hits on MSI web site in March .... .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Regular sections: MSI on the WWW -p. 3, seminars -p. 3, attaboys -p. 4, letters to the editor -p. 5,.trip reports & travel -p. 5, safety -p. 5, MSl's 50.-.year anniversary -p. 6, tony's tidings -·p. 6, personnel -p.-6, cruise reports & travel -p. 7, facilities & equipment -p. 7, editor's note -p. 7 Clark-Hubbs remembers "THE CRAB ATTACK'' . This series ofevents occurred during an RIVLONGHORNcruise though the Laguna Madre. The participants were students in three classes and their professors: me, marine ichthyology; Patrick Parker, marine chemistry; and Calvin McMillan, marine botany. · . From my report to Robert S. Jones, 4 August 1987, the following: On Friday, 31 July 1987, the RIV LONGHORN research group samp!~d off Port Mansfield. We began to sample after lunch (ca 1330 hrs). The initial sample site was the barrier island at the NE corner of the Intracoastal Canal/Mansfield Ship Channel intersection. One sampling group, including Susan Froelich, was on the ship·channel side. At about 1430. hours Susan reported being stung by a jelly fish. At ca i500 hours the group split, with most of the personnel accompanying Drs. McMillan and Parker. Five individuals (Mark Westerman, Scott Starling, rifty 'Year 5'lnni.versary: 1946 -1996 Susan Froelich, William Bitner, and I) took the smaller boat for beach seining ca 1.5 km north of Port Mansfield. At ca 1700 hours we had completed our sampling (at that time in a shallow isolate coastal pool). As we were walking to the small boat Susan reported an injury to William Bitner. It was a substantial cut thru his shoe. In Harlingen that cut required 4 stitches to close. The other three returned to the beach to assist. Scott and Susan aided Bill into the boat and Mark and I carried the sampling equipment to the boat. I was in the rear of the group in ca 15 cm water ca 4 meters from the boat when I felt a strong pinch on the mesial posterior of my right calf ca 8 cm from my foot. I believe I stated that I had been pinchedby a crab; the other words were expletives. When I got to the boat my calfwas bleeding from two puncture wounds 2.0 -4.2 cm apart (minimal and maximal measures) and an 8.4 cm superficial wound. Subsequently, it was ascertained that the puncture wounds connected in the muscle mass and that the superficial wound went to the subdermal adipose layer. The obvious cause was a pinch by the primary claw of a blue crab-the 2 puncture wounds from the claw closure and a hung claw caused the superficial wound as I shook my leg. All the gear Mark and I were carrying was in the boat, thus I did not drop any of the items. Mark placed a field bandage on my wound and Bill's bleeding had been substantially reduced. Mark then hastened to get back to the RIV LONGHORN-sufficiently to be told twice to slow down in the Port Mansfield harbor. After discussions in the RIV LONGHORN it was decided to take Bill and me to the Baptist Hospital in Harlingen (ca 50 miles away) as it was the closest that was open that late on Friday. At the Baptist Hospital our wounds were cleaned and we were treated. The care was good and Bill got 4 stitches. My superficial wound had 24 stitches but the two puncture wounds were left open to drain and to reduce the possibility of infection. We then returned to Port Mansfield and some ofthe field party went to Port Aransas by vehicle (as planned). We obtained the prescription Saturday morning and followed instructions. Saturday I felt feverish and got a strong headache. By Sunday my leg began to look inflamed and pus was noted in one puncture wound. Monday I followed your recommendation and went to the Coastal Bend Hospital in Aransas Pass. The treatment was prompt and an infection was confirmed. Additional medication and even more foot elevation was recommended. I appreciate the efforts Mark and you have done to handle my class while I have been incapacitated. Both hospitals were professional and my difficulty can be interpreted as just bad luck. The infection has now been ascertained to have been caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. I am still under physicians (13 August) orders not to go in the water and to stay off my feet as much as possible.Luckily for my finances I was teaching my students so Workman's Compensation has (and will) pay for all of the hospital visits (= ca 1 k) (4 physicians, 5 visits+ more next week). Mark Westerman was my T.A. and subsequently completed his degree. Scott Starling was a graduatestudent who was killed by a lightning strike while recreationally fishing a couple ofyears later. I have little subsequent information about Susan Froelich and William Bitner except that their recovery was rather quick--hours for Susan, a couple ofdays for Bitner. The infection was by Vibrio cholerae. My wounds have more or less healed, except for a six-centimeter old scar from the superficial wound and tissue degradationbetween the two puncture wounds so that they are nearly joined. My mobility is rational for a person ofmy age. Too bad it was not a shark attack as two had occurred previously that year--! would have been interviewed by Dan Rgther or someone qf'that ilk. Physicians ordered me not to get my leg wet in lakes and streams for six months. I had quite a spectacular bandage that could go into a rubber boot. Can you imagine the consternation of the persons that processed the workman's compensationdocuments-what equipment were you using when the accident occurred? -Clark Hubbs Editor's note: Dr. Clark Hubbs' (Clark Hubbs Regents Professor Emeritus in Zoology) association with MS/ reaches back over at least the last forty years. He has been major professor for several students who did their work at MS/. He taught a summer course at MS/ as early as the late fifties and again as recently as 1987, the date of the above unfortunate episode. Dr. Hubbs is a member of the MS/Advisory Council. · And the Beat Goes On -Utilization of the MSI web site just keeps on rising. In March, the number ofdifferent people accessing our page increased to 5,047 from the 979 hits we had in February. We averaged 163 hits per day in March (35 in February). Scott and Lee made only a few minor changes to the web site this month. We now have a "clickable map" to help the user navigate the site and a link that allows anyone to view the course schedules for the upcoming semesters. These · schedules include all courses at The University of Texas at Austin, including those taught in Port Aransas through the Video Classroom. Soon, the web site will have a page devoted to the activities planned for the 50-Year Anniversary Celebration. -Lee Fuiman Number of Computers Accessing UTMSI Web Site January-March 1996 300 >-250 ca i:s ' 8. 200 en Cl) en en e 150 i:s i:s ca Cl) 100 ::s .sr c: :J 50 0 1.Jan 31-Jan 1-Mar 31-Mar • Dr. John C. Wingfield, University ofWashington, The biology ofemergency life history states, March 26. • Dr. Richard Hill, Michigan State University, Marine viruses and globaJ climate: the dimethysulfide connection, March 29. .. • Dennis Higgs, Department ofMarine Science, UT-Austin, Interrelations between sensory development and habitat change in clupeoid larvae, April 5. • Dr. Farooq Azam, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Biogeochemical consequences ofbacteria-organic matter interactions: a unifying view, April 12. • Rainer Amon and Steve Opsahl, two recent Ph.D. recipients in the Department of Marine Science, were recently chosen as invited speakers to the Dissertation Symposium on Chemical Oceanography (DISCO)sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Office ofNaval Research. The meeting will be held May 5-10 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The selection of speakers was made by a joint NSF-ONR screening committee principally on the basis ofthe scientific content ofthe dissertation. Congratulations to both Rainer and Steve, and thanks for bringing this recognition to our graduate program in Marine Science. Enjoy the luau but avoid the poi! (from Ron Benner) 4-J-qc-, ; • On behalfofthe American Chemical Society South Texas local section, I would like to thank you and The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute once again for co-spon!;oring the ACS local section meeting on March 22, 1996. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but heard it was a success despite the small turnout. Again, we thank you for your support and the use ofthe auditorium and look forward to your continued support in the future. (To Terry Whitledge from Ludy Avila) 4 • Thank you for the subscription to Laz-Gaz. Although I have not yet visited MSI, I want to. I got my own start as an academic because I went on an NSF high school summer scholarship to a marine biology program at the Gulf Coast Research Lab. . • (From Teresa A. Sullivan, Vice President and Graduate Dean, The University of Texas at Austin) Travel ending between March 23 and April 12 +Ken Dunton, February 20-April 6, Palmer Station, Antarctic, participate in National Science Foundation sponsored research on low temperature tolerance in polar brown algae. +Ron Benner, March 14-23, Tokyo, Japan, review research programs at the Ocean Research Institute of Tokyo University and establish collaborative research program on carbon cycling. +Paul Montagna, March 25-28, Texas A & M, College Station, participate in Environmental monitoring ofimpacts from research and operations in the Antarctic. +Scott Holt, Cameron Pratt, April 9-10, Port Mansfield, sample collection, research on effect ofbrown tide on larval fish. +Andi Wickham, November 11-March 29, Eleph~nt Island, Antarctic, cruise aboard the Research Vessel YUZHMORGEOLOGIYA as par-t of the Antarctic Living Resources Program. +Chuck Rowe, February 14-March 29, Elephant Island, Antarctic, cruise aboard the Research Vessel YUZHMORGEOLOGIYA as part of the Antarctic Living Resources Program. Eyewash fountains and flammables cabinets -A budget is being prepared of safety related needs at the ]Marine Science Institute. Several investigators have been notified by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety's Hazardous Materials Division that their personnel should have better access to eyewash facilities and of the need for safer storage for their flammables. Ifyou have not already done so, please send these notifications, along with your comments, agreement, exceptions, etc. to John Thompson. Ifyou have other safety needs which will cost money, send them along also. Hazardous communication training -William Fordyce of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety visited MSI April 8 and conducted safety training for supporting staffpersonnel. Thirty six persons received training from the Maintenance, Custodial, Grounds, Boats, Cafeteria, and Stores departments. riftg ?'"ear .91nniversarg: 1946 -1996 Call for photos/slides/negatives -Do you have a photographic record from your time at theMarine Science Institute? With the help ofthe new and highly versatile color copier, displays, and perhapsa photo album will be produced of MSI historical photos. The copy machine can reproduce and enlargedirectly from photographs, slides, and negatives. As an extra encouragement, not only will your treasuresbe returned to you without delay, they will be accompanied by enlarged color copies for you. The recordneeds to include MSI's recent history as well as the earliest years. Just about any photos will be desirable,but especially photos showing people. Mail them to: John Thompson, The University of Texas, MarineScience Institute, 750 Channelview Drive, Port Aransas, Texas 78373. Weather Report for March 18 -April 7 -Tony Amos Russ VanSchuyver -A new Police Guard began regular duty last weekend at MSI. Russ had previously worked on a temporary basis for two weekends but has now been.appointed on a regular basis,replacing Dennis Hendricks, who retired. Russ was initiated quickly into his weekend duties with anAdvisory Council Meeting and arrangements for oil spill personnel on the same Saturday. While Russ hasexperience as a night watchman, he is a jet aircraft mechanic and has trained in marine engine mechanics.Russ had the misfortune to transfer to this area with American Airlines just before they discontinuedjet service to Corpus Christi. Russ and family returned to Oklahoma after that, but the call ofPort Aransaswas too great. They were determined to return to Port Aransas and did. Russ and his wife, Holly, havethree young sons that they wanted to attend the Port Aransas Independent School System. 6 Cruise #96-661A&B -The RIV LONGHORN carried out work for UT's Applied Research Laboratory and the U. S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAW AR) over the period beginning March 24 and continuing, with weather days and port calls, through April 9. Known as MINEX III, the project was led by Chief Scientist Karl C. Focke of the Applied Research Laboratory. Other ARL personnel were Dave Smith, Lewis Thompson, Tom Wise, Paul Eisman, and Sergio Ramirez. TRW scientists participating were Charles Dabney and Beth Levy. U. S. Navy personnel participating were Zaradell Williams and James East. The project required coordination with participating U.S. Navy ships and aircraft. In addition to the recovery and deployment of undersea devices the work involved SCUBA operations by ARL personnel, with Lewis Thompson as Dive Team Supervisor. RIVLONGHORN departed Port Aransas on March 24 for Port Mansfield with a full deck load of 20 tons, including ARL's portable laboratory. A break in the weather was awaited at Port Mansfield, but did not materialize, and the ship returned home on March 27. RIV LONGHORN departed again on April 1, successfully conducting operations off Port Mansfield, and returning home early the morning of April 9. Roofing ofLibrary/Visitor Center -A contract has been made with the San Antonio Roofing and Construction Company, Inc. for re-roofing the LibraryNisitor Center Building of the Marine Science Institute at a cost of $75,245. A notice to proceed is expected to be issued to the contractor soon, with completion to be expected within 60 days thereafter. This is the final re-roofing project in a series which has provided new roofs for all major structures at MSI over the last several years. Thanks to Dr. Hubbs for sharing his crab attack (his words are incident and series of events-but after I titled the article I looked up the workmen's compensation record and found the doctor used my same words, crab attack). Recently, Clark made two offers-the first to find and send the crab incident Iattack; the second to kill anyone who does not like the Lazarette Gazette (guess he kinda wants it to continue). Given his promptness with the first, it is a good thing I declined the second. Thanks also to John Holmgreen for recent kind words about the LazGaz, which are truly appreciated, although recent limping may be due to having my leg slightly pulled rather than back problems. One section in the Lazarette Gazette which has become all too limited is Trip Reports & Travel. When ex-Director Bob Jones was twisting my arm to become editor of a lab newsletter he said we should have as a regular feature exciting articles from MSI folks returning from their global journeys and adventures. And he promised to help obtain such if everyone did not just beg and plead for the privilege of contributing. Bob is gone and unless Dr. Hubbs is appointed as the Director and kills any who fail to contribute I can only ask for your help. Just zap me something each time by e-mail, please! In this issue we have requested old photos, slides, and negatives. Your anecdote~, stories, reminiscences, would also be especially appreciated during our 50-year anmversary. -John Thompson