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Overhead view of Amy Apprill working on drone-collected whale vapor samples.

Overhead view of Amy Apprill working on drone-collected whale vapor samples.
Overhead view of Amy Apprill working on drone-collected whale vapor samples.
Overhead view of Amy Apprill working on drone-collected whale vapor samples.
Overhead view of Amy Apprill working on drone-collected whale vapor samples.
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Casado, Daniel
Overhead view of Amy Apprill working on drone-collected whale vapor samples.
Still Image
03/31/2017
graphics/Patagonia/Dani Casado E4_017.jpg
2018 Wall Calendar image:
WHALE CHECKUP.
WHOI microbiologist Amy Apprill traveled to Chile with a multi-institutional team to study blue whales off the coast of Patagonia. The team used a remote-controlled hexacopter (on the table to Apprill's right) to fly above the whales and collect samples of their blow for genetic analysis. Apprill and WHOI's Michael Moore and Carolyn Miller and using these techniques to better understand the diversity of microbes that live on and in whales, and how the microbes affect their health.
Image Of the Day caption:
WHOI microbiologist Amy Apprill traveled to Chile with a multi-institutional team recently to study blue whales that gather off the coast of Patagonia each year. Among the equipment they took to the field was a six-rotor, remote-controlled hexacopter on the table to Apprill's right that they used to collect samples from the whale spout. The collection plate she is working with was attached to the top of the drone while a pilot maneuvered it into an exhaled cloud of vapor. Apprill and WHOI's Michael Moore and Carolyn Miller are using this technique and others to better understand the diversity of microbes that live on and in whales and how they may contribute to their health.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Casado, DC Photo
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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