Research Slate Reef Data at Riverside Sunset

Salt spray dots the dark grey surface of a rectangular research slate, resting on a wooden table near the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. Handwritten transect numbers in white chalk mark specific reef zones, standing out against the wet stone. The last light of sunset spills across the scene, casting long, sharp shadows from the converging lines of the riverside promenade that stretch toward a distant vanishing point. The sky above is a perfectly clear gradient of deep orange fading into violet. Seasonal changes are visible in the sparse, dry leaves caught in the corners of the slate. The water on the stone reflects the warm glow of the sky, while the chalk lines remain crisp and legible against the damp texture.