Coral reef scientist Randi Rotjan answers student questions from the remote Phoenix Islands

Note: Students from Souhegan High School in Amherst, New Hampshire posted some questions for Aquarium researcher Dr. Randi Rotjan in the comments section of this post. Due to Randi's busy dive schedule during the expedition and spotty satellite communications it took a couple days, but she has managed to respond here.
Here are the questions with Randi's answers in light blue:

Hi Randi-
My students have been checking the blog everyday--and they are really enjoying following your expedition! They had a couple of questions for you.

First of all, wow! It's amazing to be quite literally in the middle of nowhere, and to receive questions and comments from you. It's really nice to have mail, and it's an important reminder of why we're writing these blogs. THANK YOU so much for contributing and for reading! Now, on to your questions.


Randi Rotjan

We have talked a little about the North Pacific garbage patch and they want to know if you have seen any evidence of plastics/debris/fishing gear during your time at sea.

We haven't run into the North Pacific Garbage Patch (note: for more garbage patch research visit the Seaplex blog), but we have seen lots of evidence of human garbage, mostly in the form of shipwrecks. It's amazing actually--the Phoenix Islands are tiny specks on the map, yet, of the two islands we've seen so far, there have been wrecks on both. How ships manage to end up on these specks of land when they have a huge uninterrupted stretch of ocean is beyond me, but the impact on the islands and the reefs is undeniable. Both above water and below, we have observed wreck debris--one of the expedition members, Stuart Sandin, rescued a bronze fitting from the Norwich City wreck on Nikamororo, which he will use as a pencil holder.

A boat propeller remains after a shipwreck on Orona Island, photo R. Rotjan

We've also seen quite a lot of trash washed up on these islands--Kate Madin took an excellent
photo of flip-flops. So, even in the middle of nowhere, on the world's most remote coral reefs, evidence of human consumption abounds.

Is there one specific species that you are looking to investigate?

As for what species we are here to investigate, well, each of us is looking at something different. But in general, we're not looking at one particular species--we're looking at as many species as possible to understand how the community, population, and ecosystem have changed over time.

Randi Rotjan investigating a barrel sponge during a previous expedition to the Caribbean

Did you always want to be a marine biologist?

Have I always wanted to be a marine biologist? Nope! I fell into this career quite by accident. However, a quick survey of my colleagues on this expedition reveals that everyone is different. Les, Stuart and Kate were always destined for science careers, and discovered marine biology along the way. I wanted to be a writer, but fell in love with science in college, and marine biology soon after. So, it just goes to show that there is time to explore your interests and change your career, but keeping an open mind may lead to unexpected possibilities.

And one curious student wants to know: Have you ever gone diving in the Giant Ocean Tank at the aquarium?

Diving in the Giant Ocean Tank at the New England Aquarium is a wonderful experience--yes, I have done it. Every day, divers at the New England Aquarium go into the GOT to feed the animals and clean the tank and for other purposes. You can read all about it on the divers blog.

As a researcher, I dive the GOT to test my equipment, practice new techniques, or to study the exhibit fish. Come visit us at the Aquarium and check out the divers with your own eyes.

Thanks so much!
Julianne and her marine biologists at Souhegan High School

Again, thanks for the questions, and keep posting comments and questions! It may take me a few days to respond from the middle of nowhere, but no question will be left unanswered.

Randi explains more about her work in the "Color-Changing Corals" chapter of the Blue Impact video tour.