• Kelsey Kappler

    Kelsey Kappler
    Eckerd College
    Investigated the effects that formalin preservation had on krill, as well as the size-selectivity of euphausiids by pollock and Methot nets.

    My project started off with lots and lots of measuring. First, before I could even begin my main investigation, I measured euphausiids with both calipers and an ocular micrometer and compared the lengths to determine which measuring instrument would be best to use.

    The next part of my project was to determine whether or not an organism’s length was affected from being preserved in formalin. To do this, I measured a set of euphausiids that had been preserved in formalin for about a year. I then compared them to measurements of the same individuals, but that measurement was taken immediately following their capture. I concluded that formalin had no significant effect on the length of a euphausiid.

    The third step in my research project was to compare the size-selectivity of euphausiids found in pollock stomachs with those sampled using a Methot net. Over 1,500 semi-digested euphausiids were collected from pollock stomachs and identified to species when possible. I measured each stomach-caught individual, while the net-caught euphausiids were measured by a sorting center in Poland. Using the measurements, I made histograms to compare the length-frequencies of stomach-collected and net-caught euphausiids. I found that the two sets of euphausiids were similar in size; however, the net-caught euphausiids were slightly larger.

  • Euphausiids under a microscope.


    Analyzing data.



    I spent the rest of my internship analyzing the data, preparing an oral presentation and then putting together a written report. I found this portion to be the most valuable. I gained experience interpreting my results and providing reason for what I found. I learned new ways of manipulating the same set of data to reveal different findings.



  • Not only did I gain useful knowledge through completing my research project, but the internship program also allowed me to explore other departments in NOAA. The other interns and I went on weekly field trips around the NOAA campus to learn about the different programs at work here, this exposure to the different fields of study opened my eyes to new career options. We even got to visit the Shannon Point Marine Science in Anacortes, where we went on a boat tour, saw seals, visited labs, and looked for critters on the shore.

    Overall, I had an awesome experience! I was able to use the skills that I learned in school, as well as develop some new ones; I saw new and interesting organisms; and I now have a better understanding of my future career options.