Science & Research Environmental

Week 1 at Baruch Marine Field Laboratory

  • Anna Dewitt
  • 07 June 2025

  • Rundown of BaruchGrassy nature preserve area

  • On my first day, I was given an in-depth tour of Hobcaw Barony. Baruch Marine Field Laboratory is one of the two laboratories located on the Hobcaw Barony land that is 16,000 acres. There is a lot of history that has taken place here that I was able to learn about. The property was home to Bernard Baruch and his daughter Belle Baruch (who later owned the land) and a large number of enslaved persons. The homes of Bernard and Belle are still standing along with a few restored enslaved peoples’ villages that I was able to see. Before her death in 1964, the property was transferred to the Belle W. Baruch Foundation to be a nature and research preserve.

  • Marine GEO Box Deployment 

  • In my first week, I was able to be part of an oyster project for the Smithsonian. This project involves many researchers along the coast deploying bioboxes that will be removed after 2 months. To have a better understanding of the factors that influence oyster reef health, the Marine Global Earth Observatory is conducting this large-scale study that involves multiple sites and partners. This study focuses on looking into the causes of changes in oyster reefs along salinity, location, temperature, and tidal gradients. We went out to three different oyster reefs and buried the boxes to be flush with the ground. After 2 months, all of the fauna that lives in the box will be identified and the oysters will be measured. Oyster samples will also be sent for further analysis. While doing this, I was also able to practice driving the boat, and I also learned how to dock the boat. This was a great experience, and I am grateful to have learned so much from this field day.
  • Anna, wearing along-sleeved pink tee and jeans, crouches in a muddy bank area diggingShot farther back of Anna digging along the bank of a waterwayAnna driving a boat, a dark-beared man in a white tee and shorts to her right monitoring

  • Seine 

    • I was also able to help pull a seine. I had to be about waist deep in the marsh and mud to help measure the depths of where we were pulling the net. A seine is a long net with a pole on both ends. It is used to collect and sample nekton. The seine was pulled about 20 yards, and then we collected all the animals in the net to later identify and measure in the lab.
    • Clear plastic tote with lots of dirt and what appears to be shells or aquatic life specimensAnna wearing a light-blue long-sleeved tee and holding a fish to show the camera
    • Large metal tray with different aquatic specimen sorted in the four corners of the trayTeam measuring and sorting aquatic specimens in clear plastic tubs and metal trays on a wooden table

    • Grass Shrimp Project 

    • Researchers at Baruch have multiple ongoing research studies and usually don't identify grass shrimp to species because it is time-consuming. The purpose of this study is to determine the ratio of Palaemontes Pugio and Palaemontes Vulgaris in each of the long term studies. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this project. Every week another intern and I will collect grass shrimp samples. After they are collected, they will be identified and measured.
    • Anna poses with another intern while out doing field work. The other intern's arm can be seen in the shot, taking this selfieGrass shrimp in a wide petri-style dish

    • Free TimeView of musicians on a concert stage from the audience, standing a hundred feet back or so 

      • In my free time, other interns and I go to the beach every day after we are done working at the lab. Having the beach only 10 minutes away is such a great experience that is very relaxing to me. We have also gone to a concert in Charleston over the weekend, and that was very fun too!

      • Thoughts 

        • Overall, I have learned and grown so much this week as a person and a biologist. I have been able to adapt to a new environment and meet so many nice people. This week has also reassured me that I am in the right field, and I can’t wait to see where this internship takes me.