Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Marine Biology Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Estuary

Discipline
Institution
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 1 - 30 of 60

Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology

Novel Microbiological Medium Developed For The Isolation Of Bacteria Associated With Estuarine Anemones, Parker K. Lund, Catalina Cuellar-Gempeler Mar 2024

Novel Microbiological Medium Developed For The Isolation Of Bacteria Associated With Estuarine Anemones, Parker K. Lund, Catalina Cuellar-Gempeler

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Out of the nearly one trillion species of microbiota estimated to inhabit Earth only ten thousand have been cultured in the laboratory. Culturing continues to play a vital role in determining the physiology and ecologic function of individual bacteria in microbial communities and for microbes associated with host organisms one of the major challenges is developing microbiological media that mimics the bacteria’s natural environment enough to promote growth. Here, we target bacteria associated with the estuary anemones Diadumene lineata and Metridium senile by developing a novel medium that uses anemone tissue as the sole source of nutrients. We further measured …


Using Podcasts To Bring National Estuarine Research Reserves Into The Classroom For Grades 6-12, Kaitlyn M. Dirr Apr 2023

Using Podcasts To Bring National Estuarine Research Reserves Into The Classroom For Grades 6-12, Kaitlyn M. Dirr

Senior Theses

In a typical classroom setting, there are significant challenges to exposing students to concepts related to earth sciences and the environment. These challenges are exacerbated when conveying lessons about geographic areas with limited access, such as oceans and coastlines (Louv, 2010). It is now more important than ever for environmental education to improve and adapt to our changing world. Educators may have the opportunity to bring these subjects to life by using media content such as podcasts to introduce students to new places and the scientists, managers and educators that work in those spaces. In the United States, there exists …


Multi-Year Environmental Trends Of Shrimp Black Gill (Hyalophysa Lynni) Prevalence In Texas Gulf Coast Shrimp Populations, Jillian L. Swinford, Joel Anderson Jan 2023

Multi-Year Environmental Trends Of Shrimp Black Gill (Hyalophysa Lynni) Prevalence In Texas Gulf Coast Shrimp Populations, Jillian L. Swinford, Joel Anderson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Shrimp Black Gill, caused by the apostome ciliate Hyalophysa lynni, is an emerging disease impacting penaeid shrimp populations along the southeast Atlantic Coast and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Changing annual environmental conditions may drive infection levels of this parasitic ciliate in these populations, which comprise one of the largest fisheries in the United States. Hyalophysa lynni is established on the Texas Gulf Coast, and prevalence of this parasite has a strong seasonal and spatial trend, likely linked with high temperature and a wide range of estuarine salinities. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department monitored shrimp black gill in 2 …


Field Assessment Of The Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat: Enhancement Of Intertidal Habitat For The Eastern Oyster And Associated Nekton In Northeast Florida, Hunter Mathews Jan 2023

Field Assessment Of The Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat: Enhancement Of Intertidal Habitat For The Eastern Oyster And Associated Nekton In Northeast Florida, Hunter Mathews

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A dramatic global decline in oyster reef habitat has led to widespread deployment of oyster restoration projects. Efforts are underway to move away from polluting methods like plastic mesh bags in oyster deployments. Additionally, increasing pressure on our estuaries from recreational boat wakes and intensified storms requires more robust structures for shoreline protection. The “Pervious Oyster Shell Habitat” (POSH) is a novel artificial reef structure composed of oyster shell bound by a thin layer of Portland cement, into the shape of a dome. The structure’s makeup greatly reduces its environmental impact, while providing quality substrate for provision of oyster reef …


Effects Of Shoreline Development And Freshwater Discharge On Nekton Assemblage And Trophic Structure In A Northern Gulf Of Mexico Estuary, Glenn Schumacher Aug 2022

Effects Of Shoreline Development And Freshwater Discharge On Nekton Assemblage And Trophic Structure In A Northern Gulf Of Mexico Estuary, Glenn Schumacher

Master's Theses

Coastal salt marshes support a diversity of nekton and facilitate critical ecosystem functions but are threatened by shoreline development and climate change. Therefore, coastal ecosystem managers have begun incentivizing the use of living shorelines (LS), erosion control structures incorporating native plantings, to mitigate ecological consequences of marsh loss. However, post-restoration climate changes may shift habitat templates and negate positive effects of ecosystem restoration. I evaluated the ecology nekton along LS, natural marshes, hardened shorelines and greyed shorelines within Biloxi Bay, Mississippi, during a high freshwater discharge (HFD) period by comparing nekton assemblage (using species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity, and relative abundance), …


Distribution Patterns Of The Invasive Mussel Arcuatula Senhousia In Mission Bay, San Diego, California: Effects Of Sediment Grain Size And Byssus Thread Production On Predation, Samantha Ahlman May 2022

Distribution Patterns Of The Invasive Mussel Arcuatula Senhousia In Mission Bay, San Diego, California: Effects Of Sediment Grain Size And Byssus Thread Production On Predation, Samantha Ahlman

Theses

The ability of bivalves to avoid predation by using defensive behaviors such as burrowing and byssus production may vary depending on the sediment characteristics of a given habitat. The varying sediment characteristics that change with water velocity within estuaries may influence the distribution of bivalves and limit them to areas that optimize their ability to defend against predators. We examined the distribution patterns of the invasive Asian date mussel Arcuatula senhousia relative to the sediment grain size distribution in Mission Bay, an urban estuary located in San Diego, California, USA. Mussels and sediment were collected using an Ekman grab at …


Nutrient Improvements In Chesapeake Bay: Direct Effect Of Load Reductions And Implications For Coastal Management, Rebecca R. Murphy, Jennifer Keisman, Jon Harcum, Renee R. Karrh, Mike Lane, Elgin S. Perry, Qian Zhang Jan 2022

Nutrient Improvements In Chesapeake Bay: Direct Effect Of Load Reductions And Implications For Coastal Management, Rebecca R. Murphy, Jennifer Keisman, Jon Harcum, Renee R. Karrh, Mike Lane, Elgin S. Perry, Qian Zhang

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In Chesapeake Bay in the United States, decades of management efforts have resulted in modest reductions of nutrient loads from the watershed, but the corresponding improvements in estuarine water quality have not consistently followed. Generalized additive models were used to directly link river flows and nutrient loads from the watershed to nutrient trends in the estuary on a station-by-station basis, which allowed for identification of exactly when and where responses are happening. Results show that Chesapeake Bay’s total nitrogen and total phosphorus conditions are mostly improving after accounting for variation in freshwater flow. Almost all of these improving nutrient concentrations …


Effects Of Salinity On Eastern Oysters: Locating Lower-Salinity Tolerant Populations And Defining Resource Zones Suitable To Restoration, Fisheries, And Aquaculture., Lauren Swam Jul 2021

Effects Of Salinity On Eastern Oysters: Locating Lower-Salinity Tolerant Populations And Defining Resource Zones Suitable To Restoration, Fisheries, And Aquaculture., Lauren Swam

LSU Master's Theses

Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) provide valuable ecosystem services and support a productive commercial industry in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Declining abundance from water quality changes and other factors drives development of management and restoration strategies focused on a comprehensive, metapopulation approach. Identifying oyster resource zones based on water quality combined with selective breeding of oysters adapted to specific conditions provides strategies to support aquaculture development and ensure resilient oyster populations and high production. Using 2015-2019 satellite-derived continuous salinity and temperature data for coastal Louisiana, this work created maps defining oyster resource zones supportive of (1) broodstock sanctuary …


Vignette 01: The Salish Sea Estuary System, Bert Webber May 2021

Vignette 01: The Salish Sea Estuary System, Bert Webber

Institute Publications

The Salish Sea is an estuarine ecosystem. Freshwater from land drainages mixes with the waters of the Pacific Ocean and results in water with a measurable, although sometimes small amount of freshwater. The Salish Sea is among the preeminent estuaries of North America. Estuarine circulation and flow are central to the high biological productivity in the Salish Sea.


Vignette 03: Birds Of The Salish Sea, Rob Butler May 2021

Vignette 03: Birds Of The Salish Sea, Rob Butler

Institute Publications

The significance of the Salish Sea comes into focus when we look at the diversity and abundance of its birds and mammals, some of which are globally, continentally, and nationally important. Of particular importance is the diversity and abundance of species on the Fraser River Delta. There are more species of birds on the delta than any comparable area in Canada, and nearly half of all 550 species of birds reported for British Columbia have been seen on the delta. Despite all that has been learned about marine birds and mammals, large areas of the Salish Sea in Canada have …


Vignette 12: The Blob, Nicholas Bond May 2021

Vignette 12: The Blob, Nicholas Bond

Institute Publications

A marine heat wave of unprecedented severity, areal extent and duration occurred in the Northeast Pacific Ocean during 2014-2016. This event, known as the “Blob,” had a wide variety of far- ranging effects on physical, chemical, and biological ocean properties. Because the Blob was such a massive perturbation, it represents an attractively large signal for inquiry in the Salish Sea. It represents a dress rehearsal for typical conditions in future decades due to global climate change.


Vignette 07: Stormwater Effluent Exerts A Key Pressure On The Salish Sea, Emily Howe May 2021

Vignette 07: Stormwater Effluent Exerts A Key Pressure On The Salish Sea, Emily Howe

Institute Publications

One of the primary terrestrial pressures on the Salish Sea estuarine and marine environment is urban stormwater runoff. When rainfall runs across hard, impervious surfaces, rather than soaking into the soil, it picks up and delivers toxic contaminants directly to nearby streams, rivers, and eventually the Salish Sea. In fact, for most toxic substances, surface runoff is the largest contributing source of loading to Puget Sound. Unfortunately, the Salish Sea’s relationship with stormwater effluent is no outlier; stormwater is the fastest growing cause of surface water impairment in the United States as urbanization transitions forested and other natural landscapes to …


State Of The Salish Sea: Executive Summary, Kathryn L. Sobocinski May 2021

State Of The Salish Sea: Executive Summary, Kathryn L. Sobocinski

Institute Publications

This report synthesizes information on past, current, and emerging stressors within the Salish Sea estuarine ecosystem. The Salish Sea is a complex waterbody shared by Coast Salish Tribes and First Nations, Canada, and the United States. It is defined by multiple freshwater inputs and marine water from the Pacific Ocean that mix in two primary basins, Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. Human impacts are multifaceted and extensive within the Salish Sea, with a regional population of almost 9 million people. Population growth has driven urbanization and development, which in turn has triggered structural changes to the landscape and …


Vignette 20: Fraser River Estuary In Need Of Urgent Intensive Care, Laura Kehoe, Tara G. Martin May 2021

Vignette 20: Fraser River Estuary In Need Of Urgent Intensive Care, Laura Kehoe, Tara G. Martin

Institute Publications

The Fraser River is the lifeline of the Salish Sea, influencing its stratification, circulation, and primary productivity. If we do not take strong action to conserve the Fraser River estuary, two-thirds of the species at risk in this region are predicted to have a less than 50% chance of survival. Many of the region's most iconic species could disappear. Conservation action combined with environmental governance is a pathway for a brighter future for the Fraser River and other highly contested regions.


Vignette 18: Bellingham Bay, Legacy Contamination Under Repair, Olivia Klein May 2021

Vignette 18: Bellingham Bay, Legacy Contamination Under Repair, Olivia Klein

Institute Publications

Bellingham Bay, home to twelve designated hazardous waste cleanup sites, illustrates the harm of past practices as well as the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. Since 2000, the Bellingham Bay cleanup has focused on the removal of contaminated sediment and soils introduced from a wide variety of sources, including construction and other industrial and municipal activities. Bellingham Bay cleanup is managed by the Washington State Department of Ecology (under the authority of Washington State’s Model Toxic Control Act) in coordination with a multi- agency Bellingham Bay Action Team.


Section 1: Introduction, Kathryn L. Sobocinski May 2021

Section 1: Introduction, Kathryn L. Sobocinski

Institute Publications

Section 1 is an introduction to the report and the Salish Sea as a whole. The introduction provides an overview of the Salish Sea, the concept of "ecosystem health," and a roadmap to the rest of the report.


Vignette 17: Salish Sea Jellyfish, Correigh Greene May 2021

Vignette 17: Salish Sea Jellyfish, Correigh Greene

Institute Publications

The Salish Sea is home to a diverse community of gelatinous zooplankton (or "jellies"). In their adult forms, jellies comprise a relatively large proportion of biomass in the Salish Sea. Questions regarding jellyfish abundance and climate variation in the Salish Sea have been difficult to address, in part because of a lack of consistent monitoring. Research presented in this vignette suggests that jellyfish are sensitive to climate signals like marine water temperatures, but do not appear to be systematically increasing in abundance over time. Due to advances in modeling, we may gain a better perspective on the roles jellies play …


Section 2: Context, Kathryn L. Sobocinski May 2021

Section 2: Context, Kathryn L. Sobocinski

Institute Publications

Section 2 sets a foundation for understanding the Salish Sea ecosystem by describing its fundamental biophysical processes and structure, including estuarine circulation, ecological productivity, and an overview of several important biogenic habitats.


The State Of The Salish Sea, Kathryn L. Sobocinski May 2021

The State Of The Salish Sea, Kathryn L. Sobocinski

Institute Publications

This report synthesizes information on past, current, and emerging stressors within the Salish Sea estuarine ecosystem. The Salish Sea is a complex waterbody shared by Coast Salish Tribes and First Nations, Canada, and the United States. It is defined by multiple freshwater inputs and marine water from the Pacific Ocean that mix in two primary basins, Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. Human impacts are multifaceted and extensive within the Salish Sea, with a regional population of almost 9 million people. Population growth has driven urbanization and development, which in turn has triggered structural changes to the landscape and …


Estimating The Denitrification Rate In Hood Canal Using Water Circulation, Spencer Johnson Apr 2021

Estimating The Denitrification Rate In Hood Canal Using Water Circulation, Spencer Johnson

WWU Honors College Senior Projects

Hood Canal is a long, fjordal estuarine inlet. Because of a sill near its mouth, Hood Canal experiences regular low oxygen in its bottom water; recently, dissolved oxygen has been even lower than usual, leading to fish kills and other ecosystem damage. Anthropogenic nutrients, particularly nitrogen, may be the cause, so it is important to quantify the components of the nitrogen cycle, like denitrification. To my knowledge, there is only one estimate of denitrification from Hood Canal in the literature. This study sought to supplement that data with an independent estimate of denitrification using water circulation along with N2 concentrations …


Seaweed Community Structure Along Environmental Gradients In An Ocean-Dominated Estuary, Saskia A. Raether Jan 2019

Seaweed Community Structure Along Environmental Gradients In An Ocean-Dominated Estuary, Saskia A. Raether

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Macrophyte community structure in estuaries that have been modified by the addition of hard substrata are poorly documented, especially in relation to the physical and environmental gradients that shape them. Therefore, this study describes the summer macrophyte flora that occurs on hard and soft substrata throughout Humboldt Bay, CA and tests how the macrophyte communities correlate to measures of horizontal and vertical environmental gradients. The percent cover of macroalgae, vascular plants, cyanobacteria, lichens, diatom film, sessile invertebrates, and substratum types were quantified during the summers of 2017 and 2018 at eleven intertidal locations in the bay and outer coast. Horizontal …


Detrital Protein Contributes To Oyster Nutrition And Growth In The Damariscotta Estuary, Maine, Usa, Cheyenne M. Adams May 2018

Detrital Protein Contributes To Oyster Nutrition And Growth In The Damariscotta Estuary, Maine, Usa, Cheyenne M. Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oyster aquaculture is an expanding industry that relies on identifying and utilizing natural estuarine conditions for the economically viable production of a filter-feeding crop. The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is the principal species currently cultured in Maine. In addition to preferentially consumed phytoplankton, various detrital complexes (non-algal and/or non-living organic matter) may provide some nutrition to C. virginica between times of phytoplankton abundance. Here I investigated the importance of detrital proteins in supporting the growth of oysters cultured in the upper Damariscotta Estuary. Oyster aquaculture in this area is highly successful and previous reports indicate that labile detrital protein …


Fish Passage At Intertidal Obstructions: Approaches In Washington State, Padraic Smith Apr 2018

Fish Passage At Intertidal Obstructions: Approaches In Washington State, Padraic Smith

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

Washington State has an active fish passage barrier correction program, with millions of dollars spent annually on fish passage barrier remediation. Tidal water crossing structures, including culverts, bridges, tidegates and control structures pose a unique problem for assessment and design for fish passage and estuarine habitat connectivity. Current fish passage criteria was developed primarily to allow adult salmon access to upstream spawning habitat and is based on adult fish swimming capabilities during the flow range expected during the period of migration. The hydrology of freshwater systems includes flooding periods that are infrequent and unpredictable. Tidal hydrology, on the other hand, …


Harbour Seals Consume More Juvenile And Adult Salmon In Estuaries Than Elsewhere In The Strait Of Georgia, Sheena Majewski, Chad Nordstrom, Austen C. Thomas, Andrew W. Trites Apr 2018

Harbour Seals Consume More Juvenile And Adult Salmon In Estuaries Than Elsewhere In The Strait Of Georgia, Sheena Majewski, Chad Nordstrom, Austen C. Thomas, Andrew W. Trites

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

Recent studies of harbour seal diets (2012-2014) have been used to estimate the amounts of salmon consumed by seals in the Strait of Georgia. However, these diet data have primarily come from estuary habitats, and may not be representative of all seals. We analysed 1,317 scat samples collected at an estuary (Cowichan Bay) and 7 non-estuary sites from Apr–Nov 2016 and Apr–May 2017 to compare salmon consumption inside and outside of estuaries. Using high-throughput DNA techniques, we determined seals consumed a wide range of prey (n = 238 species)—with gadids (primarily hake) and forage fish (primarily herring) dominating diets in …


Evaluating Common Trends In Chinook Density And The Influence Of Temperature And Salinity Patterns Among Distributary Channels In A Large River Estuary To Aid Evaluation, Planning, And Prioritization Of Restoration Activities, Joshua Chamberlin, Jason E. Hall, Todd Zackey, Frank Leonetti, Michael Rustay Apr 2018

Evaluating Common Trends In Chinook Density And The Influence Of Temperature And Salinity Patterns Among Distributary Channels In A Large River Estuary To Aid Evaluation, Planning, And Prioritization Of Restoration Activities, Joshua Chamberlin, Jason E. Hall, Todd Zackey, Frank Leonetti, Michael Rustay

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

Landscape context is critical in estuary restoration planning and assessment due to the complexity and size of estuaries, and the unique attributes and cumulative effects of individual restoration projects. In addition, the diversity and mobility of estuarine species, in particular juvenile salmon, highlights the importance of landscape position given certain locations in the delta are less accessible to salmon. The Snohomish River delta has been the focus of major estuary restoration efforts in recent years and efforts could result in the largest cumulative estuary restoration action in Puget Sound. While several large projects have been initiated/competed in recent years, information …


Density-Dependent And Landscape Effects Upon Estuary Rearing In Chinook Salmon: Insights From Long-Term Monitoring In Four Puget Sound Estuaries, Correigh M. Greene, Eric M. Beamer, Rich Henderson, Joshua Chamberlin, Jason Hall, Joseph H. Anderson, Matthew Pouley, Melanie Davis, Sayre Hodgson, Christopher Ellings Apr 2018

Density-Dependent And Landscape Effects Upon Estuary Rearing In Chinook Salmon: Insights From Long-Term Monitoring In Four Puget Sound Estuaries, Correigh M. Greene, Eric M. Beamer, Rich Henderson, Joshua Chamberlin, Jason Hall, Joseph H. Anderson, Matthew Pouley, Melanie Davis, Sayre Hodgson, Christopher Ellings

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

Juvenile Chinook salmon are well known for utilizing estuarine habitats within the tidal delta for rearing during outmigration. Several studies have linked population responses to availability of estuary habitat, and support the hypothesis that estuarine habitats are vital rearing areas for juvenile Chinook salmon. However, these coarse-scale studies provide little insight on how specific estuarine habitats contribute to rearing potential for salmon. We integrate long-term monitoring data from four estuaries of Puget Sound (Nooksack, Skagit, Snohomish, and Nisqually) to examine whether 1) Chinook populations in these rivers are limited by restricted estuary habitat, 2) hatchery releases can influence density dependent …


A Restoration And Climate Change Resiliency Monitoring Program For Coastal Bc Estuaries, Connie L. Miller Retzer, Thomas G. Reid, Peter K. Dekoning Apr 2018

A Restoration And Climate Change Resiliency Monitoring Program For Coastal Bc Estuaries, Connie L. Miller Retzer, Thomas G. Reid, Peter K. Dekoning

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

The Englishman River estuary and associated habitats, on the south east coast of Vancouver Island, has long been recognized as an important and productive ecosystem, supporting more than 250 bird species, all seven species of Pacific salmon, forage fish, at-risk plant communities and many other fish and wildlife species. The estuary is located within the Parksville/Qualicum Wildlife Management Area and is managed through the collaborative efforts of several ENGOs and government agencies. Last year, 2017, marked the first-year of a five-year restoration and monitoring program which aims to re-establish natural estuarine circulation patterns and restore intertidal and upland marsh habitat. …


Plant Community And Nutrient Development Within Four Estuary Restoration Sites In Kitsap County, Washington, Shannon Call, Jenise M. Bauman Apr 2018

Plant Community And Nutrient Development Within Four Estuary Restoration Sites In Kitsap County, Washington, Shannon Call, Jenise M. Bauman

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

Estuaries affected by physical barriers, such as culverts, experience reduced hydrological inputs and reduced connectivity resulting in the loss of ecological processes. To address reduction in ecological connectedness, culverts at three sites were removed and replaced with bridges. An observational field study was conducted in Kitsap County, Washington of three sites where culverts were replaced with bridges three, eight, and 13 years ago. Data was collected at a reference site where the estuary contains a culvert. It is hypothesized that estuary restoration will recover plant species, carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling homogeneity above and below the restoration site. However, the …


An Investigation Of Benthic Recovery And Climate Change Resilience In The Englishman River Estuary, Connie L. Miller Retzer, Thomas G. Reid, Peter K. Dekoning Apr 2018

An Investigation Of Benthic Recovery And Climate Change Resilience In The Englishman River Estuary, Connie L. Miller Retzer, Thomas G. Reid, Peter K. Dekoning

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

SNAPSHOT: A benthic monitoring program will be added in 2018 to the ongoing Englishman River Estuary recovery study, situated on the east coast of Vancouver Island. This will complement investigations which have been ongoing, prior to and following the removal of a berm during 2017. Changes in salinity patterns, flow regimes, channel morphology, elevation, sediment size, and vegetation distribution are being assessed and these variables will be used to map distinctive areas of the estuary. Benthic samples will be collected from representative areas and monitored over the long term. Relative and total abundance, species diversity, biomass, and various derivatives of …


Juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha) Residency And Early Growth In The Lower Fraser River Estuary, Lia Chalifour, David Scott, Misty Macduffee, John Dower, Julia Baum Apr 2018

Juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha) Residency And Early Growth In The Lower Fraser River Estuary, Lia Chalifour, David Scott, Misty Macduffee, John Dower, Julia Baum

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference

The Fraser River has historically supported the most abundant salmon runs in North America, which have been declining for decades. Despite its importance and ongoing threats of climate change and habitat degradation, the Fraser River estuary is particularly understudied, with the latest comprehensive fish survey occurring in the early 1980s. We were particularly interested in the role of estuarine habitat in supporting juvenile salmon during the critical outmigration period. As part of a two-year study, which surveyed 20 sites in the lower estuary across three habitat types, we sampled over 3,000 juvenile Chinook salmon. We caught the majority of all …