Context: Biology EVA #1 with on foot to South Hab site. The approximate GPS coordinates of the final destination were 0518124 4250555.

Summary of Field Work: Amy, Ryan, Daniel, Dennis, and Jason followed directions as outlined by RST and traveled about 0.4 miles south of the Hab to a small valley at the base of the Lower Blue Hills ridge. The crew took the two required photos in the correct directions and a panorama of the sampling location. We then collected 15 samples (8 dry, 7 wet) at various sites around the basketball-court-sized area and noted the time, soil temperature, UV exposure, GPS coordinates, surrounding geology and wet/dry status. This data was sent to RST in an Excel data sheet. We also took a photo of each specimen being collected facing south, in order to prevent confusion over our naming of the surrounding geology. In the future, these pictures will not be taken.

Sampling Location Physical Description: The sampling was done in a small inlet between hills. It included many small watercourses, some intermittent and some not, and flat areas between the waterways. The area was also very rocky, which often made sampling difficult.

Photos Taken: (Click Image for Detailed View)
First checkpoint taken due West	Sampling location, after arrival, to the SE
Panoramic view from the same location

CO₂ Experimentation Status: Samples were prepared for the RST with 10 grams from each site. The remainder of each sample was left in the sampling container original sampling container to be tested in the Hab for microbial richness. The mass of the samples was recorded at this point. Then two mL of water was added to each sample and stirred in with a clean toothpick. Vials of soda lime (approximately 4 grams each - the exact mass was noted) were prepared and placed, uncapped, into the sampling containers. The mass measurements were included in the Excel data table set to RST. The sampling containers were then resealed and placed in an incubator at 25 degrees Celsius. In 6 days, the samples will be removed and the sample mass and soda lime mass will be re-measured.

Difficulties Encountered and Lessons Learned:

• In this EVA, we classified samples at wet or dry based on the moisture content of the soil. If the sample was damp enough to stick together somewhat, it was called wet. Otherwise, it was called dry. In the future, samples will be classified as wet if they are taken from a place where water will pool and sit after a rainfall (puddles, flat watercourses). Dry sampling sites are those where water will not sit, regardless of whether water may run through briefly during rainfall (higher ground, sloped watercourses).
  
  
• In rocky or hard areas, the soil corer could not be driven deep enough to get a full core sample. When possible, the site was moved a few inches from where the temperature reading was taken, and a good sample was collected there. In case where this was not possible, undersized samples were taken. In the future, new sampling sites will be chosen instead.
  
  
• Five people are not necessary for a biology EVA. At least three would be ideal, and there is enough work for four, but not for five.