Ocean Engineering Commons^™

Deep Ocean Vehicle Applications And Modifications, Nichole "Nikki" T. Arm

Master's Theses

This project had two primary goals: (1) to explore opportunities to further a deep-ocean vehicle’s reach using alternative pressure spheres, and (2) to implement an existing deep-ocean vehicle (lander) in active scientific research.

I gained a greater understanding of the limitations and design choices made for existing pressure spheres using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). My simplified FEA model predicted sphere failure for the existing 30% Fiber Glass 70% Nylon injection molded spheres at an external pressure of 3,954psi or 2,690m ocean-depth (only a 7.38% error compared to the tested minimum failure depth), so I determined it a valid model. I …

Developing A Miniature Smart Boat For Marine Research, Michael Isaac Eirinberg

Computer Engineering

This project examines the development of a smart boat which could serve as a possible marine research apparatus. The smart boat consists of a miniature vessel containing a low-cost microcontroller to live stream a camera feed, GPS telemetry, and compass data through its own WiFi access point. The smart boat also has the potential for autonomous navigation. My project captivated the interest of several members of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s (Cal Poly SLO) Marine Science Department faculty, who proposed a variety of fascinating and valuable smart boat applications.

Marine Gastrobot Final Design Report, Wesley B. Williams, Eric Kane Dreischerf, Tommy Nicholas Yath

Mechanical Engineering

The Marine Gastrobot sponsored by Dr. Christopher Kitts of the Cal Poly Center for Applications in Biotechnology was a research and development effort intended to explore the use of microbial fuel cell technology as a power source for underwater robots. Our team Ocean Locomotion succeeded in developing a first iteration of an underwater robotic platform suitable for microbial fuel cell integration. The primary feature of the design is its sinusoidal fin propulsion intended for benthic exploration with limited risk of entanglement. During the course of development, Ocean Locomotion explored the use of low power actuation methods and determined their limited …

Behavioral Responses Of Sub-Adult Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Oxyrinchus) To Electromagnetic And Magnetic Fields Under Laboratory Conditions, Andrew Mcintyre Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by high voltage (HV), submarine transmission cables leading from offshore wind energy generation facilities could affect foraging or migratory behaviors of electro-receptive fishes, including endangered Atlantic Sturgeon. However, no published studies have quantitatively evaluated the possible behavioral effects of EMF exposure on sturgeon during residence in coastal waters. This study evaluated behavioral responses by sub-adult Atlantic Sturgeon to electromagnetic and magnetic fields under controlled laboratory conditions. Fabricated EMF generators were used to emulate a range of field EMF conditions that migratory fishes could encounter in proximity to submarine HV sources. Sensor arrays and digital video recorders …

Effects Of Emf Emissions From Undersea Electric Cables On Coral Reef Fishes, Robert F. Jermain

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this project was to determine if the electromagnetic field (EMF) emissions from undersea power cables impacted the local and transient marine life, with an emphasis on reef fishes. The work was done at South Florida Ocean Measurement Facility of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Broward County, Florida. This facility functions as the hub for a range of active undersea detection and data transmission cables. It has multiple active submarine power cables that extend several miles offshore and which can deliver power and enable data transmission to and from a range of acoustic and EMF sensors. The …

The Development Of A Fluorescence-Based Reverse Flow Injection Analysis (Rfia) Method For Quantifying Ammonium At Nanomolar Concentrations In Oligotrophic Seawater, William Abbott

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this thesis was to adopt a reverse flow injection analysis (rFIA) technique to the fluorometric analysis of the reaction o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) with ammonium, allowing accurate measurements of ammonium concentrations lower than the detection limit of the widely used indophenol blue (IPB) colorimetric method while accounting for the background fluorescence of seawater. Ammonium is considered an essential nutrient for primary productivity, especially in the nutrient depleted surface ocean where as the most reduced form of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, it is readily assimilated via metabolic pathways. Challenges in the quantification of ammonium require more sensitive analytical techniques for …

Evaluating Restored Oyster Reefs In Chesapeake Bay: How Habitat Structure Influences Ecological Function, Janet A. Nestlerode

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

A shortage of shell resources for restoring reefs of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, has led to widespread use of substitute materials. The effectiveness of such alternative substrates as habitat for reef-associated fauna other than oysters is largely unresolved. I investigated the habitat value of oyster shell, surf clam (Spisula solidissima) shell, and pelletized coal ash reefs for benthic and nektonic communities. Oyster recruitment, survival, and growth were monitored on reefs of oyster and surf clam shell near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay and York River, USA. Oyster shell supported greater oyster growth and survival and offered the highest degree …

Ecosystem Analysis Of Water Column Processes In The York River Estuary, Virginia: Historical Records, Field Studies And Modeling Analysis, Yongsik Sin

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Analyses of EPA long-term datasets (1985--1994) combined with field studies and ecosystem model development were used to investigate phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics in the York River estuary. Analysis of the EPA dataset showed that algal blooms occurred during winter-spring followed by smaller summer blooms. Peak phytoplankton biomass during the winter-spring blooms occurred in the mid reach of the mesohaline zone whereas during the summer bloom it occurred in the tidal fresh-mesolialine transition zone. River discharge appears to be the major factor controlling the location and timing of the winter-spring blooms and the relative degree of potential nitrogen (N) and phosphorus …

Impact Of Artificial Reef Associates On Macrobenthic Community Structure In Florida Bay, Heinz Michael Proft

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Crassostrea Virginica On Constructed Intertidal Oyster Reefs: The Effects Of Tidal Height And Substrate Level On Settlement, Growth, And Mortality, Ian K. Bartol

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Dynamics Of Fish Assemblages Associated With An Offshore Artificial Reef In The Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight, Aaron J. Adams

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Anti-Tumor Immunity In Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus Tau), And The Effects Of 7,12 -Dimethylbenz(A)Anthracene On This Immune Response, Kenneth R. Seeley

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Cell-mediated lysis of cultured tumor target cells by nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) was examined in the oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), an estuarine teleost. NCC activity was evaluated in cells taken from the head kidney, peripheral blood, spleen and peritoneal cavity. NCC activity was a property of plastic nonadherent cells which lacked phagocytic activity, indicating that in terms of their functional capacity, the cells which mediate nonspecific cytoxic immune responses in oyster toadfish do not appear to be monocytes or macrophages. However, light and electron microscopic examination of these cells revealed that morphologically, they resemble monocytes and macrophages. A new technique …

Interspecific And Intraspecific Variability In Placoid Scale Morphology In Relation To Body Form Variability In Squaliformes, Christopher R. Tabit

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

An ontogenetic series of nine species; Centrophorus granulosus, Centroscymnus coelolepis, Dalatias licha, Deania calcea, Echinorhinus cookei, Isistius brasiliensis, Oxynotus centrina and Squalus acanthias were studied to determine swimming capabilities, boundary-layer flow conditions and placoid scale functional morphologies. Body morphometric variables included the girth and the distance from snout to the orbitals, origin of the median and paired fins, and the caudal peduncle, body and fin surface area, fin aspect ratios and caudal fin angles. Placoid scales were sampled from sixteen regions across the body. Morphometric variables included the number of scales per area of integument, scale crown width, length and …

The Effects Of Shading By Open-Pile Structures On The Density Of Spartina Alterniflora, Heather L. Mcguire

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.