The Phase II biology team consisted of Fathi Karouia, Nancy Woods, and myself Vuong Nguyen. Our objectives were to collect samples and analyze them using protocols written by Shannon Rupert. The goal was to collect data pertaining to the soil's composition, such as pH, temperature, salinity, minerals, and microbial concentration (by measuring the carbon dioxide uptake in soda lime). Although it's possible for each biologist to go out on EVAs and collect samples, to process all the samples in the amount of lab space and with the equipment available takes an enormous amount of time, not to mention the responsibility of other duties around the Hab. However, Phase II has proven successful in the amount of data collected. I would like to personally thank Fathi for taking the time out from his other duties to assist me in analyzing all the samples collected. He has a great understanding that sacrifice must be made for the greater good of the mission as a whole over the needs for personal gain.

Due to snow and rain in the days of Phase II we had to cancelled most EVAs for the concern of safety to vehicles and most importantly the crews. Sol 11 to Sol 13 EVAs were scrubbed. With the time free we managed to concentrate on our crew morale by spending time with one other and getting to know each other personally or catching up with lab work downstairs. It's wonderful to see that people from all walks of life can coexist together with the amount of time and space provided to them.

Morale of the crew was lower during the crew change at the beginning of Phase II but manage to increase in a couple of days. I sensed from the crew that they managed to get to know and feel comfortable with the strangers in their life, and then were replaced by a new set of strangers. But due to the versatility of the crew of ExONE they embraced the new crew and became great friends.

EVA 25

Rocky and I went to Lith Canyon to scout for sites. I have made notes and GPS location of sites that could be use in the collecting of samples for future water mapping.

EVA 26

Melissa and Nancy went to Kent Reservoir for scouting for diversity purposes. Nancy collected standing water to make minimal media. Organisms that are indigenous to this area will find ways to survive through the minerals and nutrients that are collected via rills and gullies that eventually becomes a pool of standing water.

EVA 28 and EVA 30

Fathi and Jon (geology) went on an overnight EVA using the Ares rover. They scouted the area around Factory Butte and spent the night at Salt Wash Canyon. In the morning Fathi collected two sets of 10 samples from Coal Mine Wash. Fathi believes that these samples will be of great importance due the low pH of the soil. I concur with his observation due to the fact that all samples so far have a basic composition between pH 8 to pH 9 while the samples he collected have several samples registered between pH 5.6 to pH 4.2. I have used 0.5 gram from all these samples and incubated them in 1.0 ml of LB broth. ALL samples have growth in them, even the acidic samples. Unfortunately I have no time to further analyze what organisms grew in them.

EVA 31 and EVA 32

EVA 31 and EVA 32 were combined into one EVA composed of Rocky, Melissa, Nancy, Fathi and I. Rocky and Melissa performed their usually geology work, while Nancy collected samples for her diversity project. Fathi and I collected 10 dry and 10 wet samples for water mapping. This EVA, located at White Rock Canyon, yielded lots of data for everyone.

EVA 43 and EVA 45

EVA 43 and EVA 45 was an overnight EVA. Melissa, Chad, and I, with the chase crew of Amuary and Steve, scouted Capitol Reef and camped overnight nearby. In the morning we went to an area 2 miles west of Cow Dung Road where the 111 mile marker was located. I collected 5 samples but had no time to analyze them. I will ask another biology crew member to take over this task -- most likely Fathi will again take up this burden.