Why Details Matter

I didn't have anything new or spectacular happen with my samples this week, which is honestly a good thing, but I did come to a realization today while going through my sample processing protocol: details matter in my work. Whether it's the wearing of 100% cotton clothing to prevent sample contamination or checking to make sure that the container is labeled appropriately, the smallest things can make a big difference in my research. The picture below is a great example. The first step in sample processing is sieving the sediments twice--the first, shown below, with a larger sieve and the second with a finer sieve, which should catch the nematodes and other meiofauna. But why does it matter that I sieve twice? The shells and large sediment grains that you can see in the image can make later parts of my work more difficult. Specifically when I need to go through the sediment that I have separated and count all of the nematodes present, I want the clearest view possible and to eliminate any particles that could obstruct my view through the microscope. 

The details also save me time overall. I have always seen the benefit of working harder upfront and having more free time later on, and that is especially true when it comes to research. After I had the issue I discussed last week with my microplastics extraction solution not working I could have put a pause on all of my sample processing until I got new chemicals in. However, I had already planned on going in to the lab a few more times before the Thanksgiving break, and by conducted the sediment processing I am using my time efficiently; once the salts arrive I can focus on the microplastics extraction and I will likely be finished with the rest of the sample processing.

The other reason that details matter to me is that the field of microplastics is still relatively new and unlike other fields of research, there are not yet set ways in which to analyze and process microplastics or substrate that may contain plastic particles. Therefore, I spend time at the lab writing down everything that I do with the samples: the solutions I apply, the densities, the wet weight of the samples, even any thoughts I have while working with the samples. The more information I can provide in my notes, the more successful I will be when I need to tell people about what I have done and how exactly I processed and analyzed the samples. Perhaps while I am working through all of my sediments the field of microplastics science will decide how certain data should be presented, and I will have my notes--albeit a little muddy--with all of the information I need to be successful.

So put in the work now while you have the time, and then do something fun with the time you saved because you were efficient!

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