Page 14 University Daily Kansan Friday, Nov. 7, 1958
WHERE ARE THEY?—Fred Siegel, Dorchester,
Mass., graduate student, navigates the deep off
the Florida Keys in search of coral to be studied for a master's thesis.
Ocean Was Student's Lab For Master's Thesis Study
The warm waters off the coast of southern Florida are generally considered to be an ideal place to relax. But one KU student found the area was a perfect laboratory to work on a graduate project.
Frederic R. Siegel, Dorchester, Mass., graduate student, who did a part of his master's thesis research in an aqua lung, has brought national recognition to the University and the geology department.
His paper, which tells the results of a study he made of the coral reef off the Florida Keys, has been accepted for presentation before the national meeting of the Geological Society of America this weekend in St. Louis, Mo.
Diving in a 50-mile area off the Florida Keys during the summer of 1957, Siegel collected around 100 specimens of coral. His study is significant to geologists because it gives more information on the origin of limestone.
Coral is a low order animal. Its skeleton is composed of calcium carbonate. It is a colorful animal, for its skin ranges from brilliant gold, to deep green and orange.
Corals Do Not Move
Corals, since they do not move have tentacles which pull in food carried by ocean currents. Siegel said that the size of corals he has seen ranged from five feet in diameter to as small as one-eighth inch in diameter.
Siegel said there are dangers connected with collecting coral.
"The danger is that you get so enthusiastic about the work and water, you do not realize you are getting tired.
"It's a new world," he explained.
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"There are the brilliantly colored corals. All is quiet. The fish are not afraid, and some actually eye you with curiosity.
"Some of the fish come right up and look through your face mask."
Siegel once had a brush with barracuda, he said, but it did not bother him at all.
Swimming Frantically
"I looked up and saw my diving partner swimming frantically to the boat," he said. "When I looked around, I saw these silvery fish, but I didn't know what they were. I went right ahead and got my samples."
The vision of a barracuda is poor, but it will attack anything that shines. Divers are warned not to wear rings or bracelets. Barracuda teeth are about three-quarters of an inch long.
Did Siegel enjoy the experience?
"It was an interesting study," he said. "Anytime people want to send me to dive again. I'll pack my toothbrush and be ready in two minutes."
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ADVENTURER—Fred Siegel holds pieces of coral he picked up at the bottom of the sea while on a trip to get material for his master's thesis.
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