Methods & the Equipment
For this experiment the materials used for the panel was highly considered as they impacted on whether the panels would withstand the sea and weather conditions throughout the period of emersion. Unlike the previous experiments done in past years on either non-native or native sessile species on panels; following the method by the Marine Biological Association (n.d) using only polypropylene panels (15 by 15 cm), the panels set for this experiment was constructed for the purposes of withstanding severe impacts to avoid losing the panels. Therefore different approaches were undertaken to construct a better set of panels.
Materials
The materials used for the experiment included: (10 by 10 cm) polypropylene black panels (x6), (10 by 10 cm) bare aluminium panels (x3), (10 by 10 cm) marine plywood panels(x3), CMS wholesaler American snaps # 4, cardoc nylon covered stainless steel wire (7.5m) breaking strain 25 kilos, plastic ties, 6oz fishing weights,(3x) 110 cm rod, polypropylene braided cord, portable cooler box, Olympus SP-350 (8.0 megapixel) camera, microscope, tray, ID guide books, bicycle inner tube (x5), refuse bag and GPS.
The panel materials (substratum; marine plywood, polypropylene and aluminium) were purchased by the university (Falmouth Marine School) as per requested. The other materials were purchased at the Tackle Box shop; it is a fishing equipment shop in close proximity to the establishment.
Construction method
The panel materials were sized (10 by 10 cm), this was to prevent the chances of it breaking off in case of excess weight from the marine organisms. It was also reduced in size to prevent time consumption as a larger area would need more time for analysis; the time frame of the experiment was limited (from 17th Jan- 16th of May) due to unforeseen circumstances and therefore the need for a smaller area was seen applicable. However the reduction in panel size did not affect the results, as they were all the same dimensions and thickness for all the three panel materials (marine plywood, polypropylene and aluminium).
At each corner of the panels a hole was drilled, having a total of four holes on the square dimension panels (Appendix 5). The marine plywood panels also needed to be reduced in size on sides in order to have the same dimension as the others, so a (mouse sander) was used to even the area (Appendix 5). The surface area of the panels were roughened by using sand paper in order to have better chances of recruitment and settlement.
Then two end corners where the holes were drilled were attached with 6 oz. oval shaped weighs, so that once the panels were immersed under water they remained vertical, as the currents and sea state could change the angle of the panels. There were three sets of each material for each pole for each subject area (A, B &C); this was done to have a better set of valid of results. Therefore each material was tied onto a cylindrical pole covered with a bicycle inner tube, this was to reduce the likelihood of the panels sliding off once attached with plastic ties onto the pole (figure 4 below).
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Materials
The materials used for the experiment included: (10 by 10 cm) polypropylene black panels (x6), (10 by 10 cm) bare aluminium panels (x3), (10 by 10 cm) marine plywood panels(x3), CMS wholesaler American snaps # 4, cardoc nylon covered stainless steel wire (7.5m) breaking strain 25 kilos, plastic ties, 6oz fishing weights,(3x) 110 cm rod, polypropylene braided cord, portable cooler box, Olympus SP-350 (8.0 megapixel) camera, microscope, tray, ID guide books, bicycle inner tube (x5), refuse bag and GPS.
The panel materials (substratum; marine plywood, polypropylene and aluminium) were purchased by the university (Falmouth Marine School) as per requested. The other materials were purchased at the Tackle Box shop; it is a fishing equipment shop in close proximity to the establishment.
Construction method
The panel materials were sized (10 by 10 cm), this was to prevent the chances of it breaking off in case of excess weight from the marine organisms. It was also reduced in size to prevent time consumption as a larger area would need more time for analysis; the time frame of the experiment was limited (from 17th Jan- 16th of May) due to unforeseen circumstances and therefore the need for a smaller area was seen applicable. However the reduction in panel size did not affect the results, as they were all the same dimensions and thickness for all the three panel materials (marine plywood, polypropylene and aluminium).
At each corner of the panels a hole was drilled, having a total of four holes on the square dimension panels (Appendix 5). The marine plywood panels also needed to be reduced in size on sides in order to have the same dimension as the others, so a (mouse sander) was used to even the area (Appendix 5). The surface area of the panels were roughened by using sand paper in order to have better chances of recruitment and settlement.
Then two end corners where the holes were drilled were attached with 6 oz. oval shaped weighs, so that once the panels were immersed under water they remained vertical, as the currents and sea state could change the angle of the panels. There were three sets of each material for each pole for each subject area (A, B &C); this was done to have a better set of valid of results. Therefore each material was tied onto a cylindrical pole covered with a bicycle inner tube, this was to reduce the likelihood of the panels sliding off once attached with plastic ties onto the pole (figure 4 below).
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