Caura River Expedition Day 10

Luzmila Sanchez uses a Sechhi Disk in the field.

Secchi disk

This limnology tool is used to measure the water's transparency. The disk is lowered into the water until it cannot be seen any more.

The attached string is marked off in half-meter segments for easy depth measurements. Some rivers are very clear, almost transparent to the bottom like the río Tawado. Others like the Nichare only have a visibility of half a meter.

This creates a spectacular contrast when the two rivers flow together.

The secchi disk gives a rough idea of the sediment load and can also be used to measure how far sunlight penetrates into the water which effects where certain microorganisms can live.

— Reported by Jensen Montambault

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