Marine Biology Commons^™

Evaluating Donor Site Recovery Following Halodule Wrightii Harvest For Restoration In Northwest Florida, Katie M. Konchar, Becca A. Hatchell, Colin P. Shea, Bradley T. Furman, Kent Smith

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Bare‑root harvesting of Halodule wrightii is widely used to supply donor material for seagrass restoration, yet the capacity of donor meadows to recover in near‑temperate systems remains poorly documented. We evaluated donor‑site recovery following bare‑root harvesting in St. Andrew Bay, northwest Florida—an estuary at the northern extent of Tropical Atlantic Bioregion 2 where H. wrightii exhibits strong seasonal senescence and a shortened growing season. Thirty harvest impact sites were monitored for 388 days to quantify changes in shoot density, percent frequency, and sediment elevation relative to nearby reference conditions. Shoot density and percent frequency at harvested sites converged with reference …

Indigenous Stewardship And Co-Management In Action: A Case Study On Blue Carbon From A Mangrove Ecosystem On The Great Barrier Reef, Micheli D.P. Costa, I. Noyan Yilmaz, Pawel Waryszak, Rory Crofts, Melissa Wartman, Pere Masqué, Brian Singleton, Gavin Singleton, Ashlyn Skeene, Lucy Friend, Peter I. Macreadie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Blue carbon ecosystems play a vital role in climate change mitigation and adaptation through their capacity to sequester and store organic carbon. Queensland, Australia, contains over 500,000 ha of mangroves, much of it under the stewardship of Traditional Custodians. The mangrove forests of the Bidakarra (Barron River) estuary provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate how Indigenous leadership, scientific research, and local industry partnerships can advance both ecological and cultural outcomes. We present a co-designed case study from Kukujum (Ellie Point), an area co-managed by Cairns Airport, Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation, and the Yirrganydji Land and Sea Ranger Program through Dawul …

High Coral Thermal Tolerance At A Potentially Climate-Resistant Reef, Kate M. Quigley, C. Siqueira, Kira Brereton, Andrew H. Baird

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Ecosystems globally are under increasing pressure from warming caused by climate change. However, some locations appear resistant to impacts. Although rare, these locations might be able to better resist damage from thermal stress. In marine environments, coral bleaching is widely viewed as one of the most pervasive stress responses threatening reef health, structure, and function. Yet we still have a poor understanding of the drivers of spatial and temporal variation in the scale and severity of coral bleaching. Here, we characterize a prolonged, intense, and widespread marine heatwave event and uncover a conspicuous lack of bleaching at the southernmost coral …

Increasing Body Size Unlocks Gelatinous Planktivory In A Key Coral Reef Fish Species, James Gahan, David R. Bellwood, Renato A. Morais, Leo Nankervis, Isabelle Ng, Alexandre C. Siqueira, Cecilia Villacorta-Rath, Sterling B. Tebbett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Coral reefs depend on the assimilation of off-reef nutrients, particularly from zooplankton, to fuel on-reef productivity. Planktivorous reef fishes thus play a critical role in sustaining a key ecosystem function as the major consumers of plankton. The importance of gelatinous zooplankton to the nutritional ecology of larger-bodied planktivorous fishes is becoming increasingly apparent. Yet, the extent to which feeding on gelatinous plankton within these taxa is a product of ontogeny has not yet been addressed. It has been hypothesised that Caesio cuning, a key planktivorous species that contributes substantially to reef fish biomass on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, undergoes an …

Missing Planktivore Functions Drive Global Variation In Reef Fish Productivity, James Gahan, Helen F. Yan, David R. Bellwood, Graham J. Edgar, Leo T. Nankervis, Alexandre C. Siqueira, Rick D. Stuart-Smith, Sterling B. Tebbett

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The functioning of high-diversity ecosystems, such as coral reefs, is intrinsically tied to the integrity and efficiency of the trophic pathways within these systems. Coral reef productivity depends, in part, on the input of external nutrients, primarily zooplankton, that is assimilated by extraordinarily diverse fish communities. The plankton–planktivore trophic pathway is thus crucial for sustaining the productivity that exemplifies coral reef ecosystems; however, it remains poorly understood at large spatial scales. Here we explore global patterns in reef fish community structure, revealing a major discrepancy between the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean in the productivity and fisheries potential of planktivorous reef fishes. …

The Influence Of Localized Water Quality On Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea Virginica) And Their Internal Microbiome Under Changing Environmental Conditions, Jessie Rivera Lafreniere

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Oysters are found ubiquitously in estuaries along the Georgia coast, where marsh morphology and large daily tidal fluctuations create dynamic and stressful conditions to which oysters may be locally adapted. Based on water quality data from the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, it is evident that changing climatic conditions are rapidly causing shifts in water quality that may be adversely affecting oyster health, especially as ocean acidification alters the carbonate buffering capacity, increasing the amplitude of daily pH variations. Importantly, the rate of change of conditions are not uniform within estuaries, varying on spatial and temporal scales. The symbiotic …

Insights Into Site Fidelity Of A Low-Density Dugong Population Using Small-Drone Imagery And Photo-Identification, Roxana Newman, Ashwag Asseri, William David Paterson, Deni Porej, Harry Clark, Mishari Alghrair, Winston Cowie, David Charles Wells, Amanda Jane Hodgson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The feasibility of using unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs, ‘drones’) to collect high-resolution still and video imagery of dugongs (Dugong dugon) for photo-identification (photo-ID) in the Sindalah Archipelago, NEOM (area ~ 84 km²), within the northeast Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, was evaluated during opportunistic marine megafauna searches. Drone searches were conducted whenever possible over one year (January 2024 to January 2025). A total of 48 dugong observations were made during 91 days of drone flights, covering a cumulative distance of 5,962 km of flying. Of these, 35 (72.9%) were repeat sightings (range = 2 to 8 resights) of nine …

Strengthening Ocean Literacy: Marine Science Education And Training To Ensure Australia's Blue Future, Prue Francis, Rachel Kelly, Louise Swanson, Tanveer M. Adyel, Benjamin Arthur, Kirsten Benkendorff, Melanie J. Bishop, Helen Bostock, Marnie L. Campbell, Emma Church, Corrine Condie, Vaibhavi Dwivedi, Michelle Dyer, Matthew England, Liam Fullbrook, Charlie Huveneers, Malcolm Johnson, Brianna Le Busque, Rebecca R. Mcintosh, Amelie Meyer, Benjamin Mos, Jana Mrazova, Allyson O'Brien, Gretta T. Pecl, Amandine Schaeffer, Rebecca J. Shellock, Grant A. Smith, Scott Smithers, Ana Vila-Concejo, Graham Wood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This white paper sets out a national vision for advancing ocean literacy in Australia and outlines the role of marine science in fostering an informed, engaged society capable of addressing the challenges and opportunities of our changing oceans. As environmental pressures intensify, and marine resource demands increase, Australians’ capacity to engage with ocean issues, understand risks and opportunities, and participate in marine decision-making has never been more urgent. Marine science will play a central role in building ocean literacy by delivering credible, actionable science, and strengthening education and training systems that enhance understanding of, and connection to, the ocean. Our …

Breaking Down Seagrass Fragmentation In A Marine Heatwave Impacted World Heritage Area, Michael D. Taylor, Simone Strydom, Matthew W. Fraser, Ana M.M. Sequeira, Gary A. Kendrick

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Marine heatwaves, and other extreme climatic events, are driving mass mortality of habitat-forming species and substantial ecological change worldwide. However, habitat fragmentation is rarely considered despite its role in structuring seascapes and potential to exacerbate the negative impacts of habitat loss. Here, we quantify fragmentation of globally significant seagrass meadows within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area before and after an unprecedented marine heatwave impacting the Western Australian coastline over the austral summer of 2010/11. We use a spatial pattern index to quantify seagrass fragmentation from satellite-derived habitat maps (2002, 2010, 2014 and 2016), assess potential predictors of fragmentation and …

Detecting Habitat Use Of Three Endemic Freshwater Fish Of Far Southwestern Australia, Paige Rhiannon Wilson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The wetland ecosystems of far southwestern Australia face multiple threats including land clearing, historical cattle grazing, changed hydrology, extensive groundwater extraction, and changed fire regimes. Each is exacerbated by a drying climate, and together they provide a significant challenge to the on-going survival of the freshwater fish in this region particularly fish that are endemic, range restricted, and therefore, more likely to be more vulnerable. This study focuses on three such species: Galaxiella munda, Galaxiella nigrostriata and Lepidogalaxias salamandroides, the latter two of which are known to aestivate.

In order to make conservation decisions regarding management of wetlands for …

Cesium-137 Accumulation In Marine Fish And Associated Dose Exposure: A Global Review, N.A.A. Kamarulzaman, M.S.M. Sanusi, H.N. Idris

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Establishing baseline data for natural radiation exposure and radioactivity levels is essential for radiological health and safety programs, particularly during the implementation and development of nuclear power initiatives. This review evaluates gamma radiation exposure and anthropogenic cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) levels in the world’s oceans and marine fish, analyzing their radioecological impact. Data from 30 peer-reviewed publications indicate that ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in seawater range from 0.07 Bq kg^–1 to 6.4 kBq kg^–1, with fish values between 0.01–3.50 kBq kg^–1. Regression models developed from these studies predict the correlation between ¹³⁷Cs levels in …

Lead Bioremoval By Halotolerant Bacteria Isolated From Mangrove Rhizosphere Soils Of Saudi Arabia, Reda H. Amasha, Rawan A. Alhazzani

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Bioremediation of hypersaline environments contaminated with heavy metals is challenging due to high salinity levels, particularly when using conventional microorganisms. This study aimed to isolate and identify halotolerant and halophilic bacteria from various mangrove rhizosphere soil samples in Saudi Arabia and to evaluate their ability to remove heavy metals under high-salinity conditions. Out of 27 isolated strains, LD57 and LR40 demonstrated the highest resistance to lead ions. Both isolates grew well at 37 °C in the presence of 3 M NaCl and recorded growth at varying concentrations of lead nitrate, ranging from 100 to 4500 ppm. The lead’s minimum inhibitory …

Molecular Docking And Antibacterial Activity Of Sesterterpenoids From Hyrtios Erectus, Hajer S. Alorfi, Nawal A. Albalawi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The search for new antibiotics remains urgent due to the continuous evolution of microbes and their resistance to currently available antibiotics. The organic extract of a specimen of the Red Sea sponge Hyrtios erectus collected off Jeddah coast was subjected to sequential chromatographic fractionation. Three sesterterpenoids (1–3) along with an indole alkaloid (4) were isolated from H. erectus. Structure elucidation of the isolated was accomplished using NMR, UV, and IR spectroscopy along with MS spectrometry. The antibacterial activity of the isolated sesterterpenoids (1–3) was assessed against a set of Gram-positive and negative …

A Systematic Literature Review Of Sustainable Ports Strategies And Initiatives In The Arabian Gulf Ports – Lessons For Saudi Arabia And Uae, Osayd Helal, Jane Haider, Jean-Paul Skeete, Sehwa Lim

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This systematic review provides a comprehensive evaluation of sustainability strategies in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on the interplay between technological advancements, green initiatives, and regulatory challenges. While Industry 4.0 technologies—such as automation, artificial intelligence, and electrification—have been integrated to enhance operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, the extent to which these innovations align with regional policy frameworks and geopolitical constraints remains insufficiently analysed.

To address this gap, this review synthesises insights from 25 peer-reviewed studies, employing a comparative framework to assess the adoption of sustainability practices in Arabian Gulf ports, focusing on their approaches toward sustainable port development. It is …

Assessment Of Microplastic Pollution In Economically Significant Fish Species From Libya’S Northeastern Mediterranean Coast, Mousa Kateesh, Tarek A. Temraz, Rafat Afifi Khattab

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems has become a pressing global environmental issue. However, there is limited information on the distribution of microplastics in Libyan territorial waters. This study investigates plastic waste pollution in five commercially important fish species from various marine habitats along the eastern Libyan coast (Ain El-Ghazala, Sousa, Ras Hilal, Alhaniyah, and Alhamama). A total of 75 fish specimens were collected, comprising 15 individuals from each species. The findings revealed that 38% of the sampled fish had ingested plastic debris, with microplastics being the predominant form. The Sousa region exhibited the highest contamination rate (54.46%), while Alhaniyah had …

Urbanization Impacts On Microplastic In Benthic Organisms And Sediment Of Small Islands, Andrio Wibowo, Suyud Warno Utomo

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Indonesia is an archipelago country comprising thousands of islands, including small islands. Currently, small islands have experienced urbanization in the forms of land use developments and conversions from pristine ecosystems to settlements and tourism facilities, leading to the contamination of microplastics. Despite growing numbers of research on microplastic in water, there is still limited information about microplastic in the sediment and benthic, in particular in developed small island environments. This study compared the types of land use on the island from reserved areas, tourism, and settlement. The microplastics were characterized based on the shapes. The results confirm that land use …

New Fish-Based Multimetric Index For Appraising Shatt Al-Arab Ecological Quality, Laith Faisal Lazem

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

In recent years, there has been a growing need to develop biometric indicators that accurately reflect an area’s environmental quality and biological integrity. Various indicators have been developed and analyzed, focusing on functional, ecological, and organism-based indicators, particularly fish-related ones. The purpose of the current paper is to create the first fish-based multimetric index designed to evaluate the quality of water in the Shatt Al-Arab River (SAAR), known as Shatt Al-Arab Fish Index (SFI), which can also be applied to the Qarmat Ali River and other water bodies similar to the SAAR ecology. Data was collected from three stations along …

Trajectory Prediction Of Oil Spills In Sharm Obhur, Red Sea Using Hydrodynamic Modeling, Mohammed A. Bahattab, Gar Al-Nabi Ibrahim, V.R. Shamji

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This research investigates the movement and impact of oil spills in Sharm Obhur, a coastal creek near Jeddah, in the Red Sea. Utilizing a high-resolution multi-beam echo sounder and the Delft3D-FLOW hydrodynamic simulation model, the study traces the oil spill trajectories, considering key factors such as meteorological conditions, spill volume, and oil properties. The model predicts the movement of the oil spill both within Sharm Obhur and its progression towards the Red Sea. Results from the model are intended to assist in the development of effective spill response strategies, improving navigation safety, protecting coral reefs, and preserving the local ecosystem. …

Preprocessing Improves The Edna Quality For 16s Rrna Metabarcoding Of Sediment Samples Of Solar Salterns, Jayanath Gopi, Bhavya Kachiprath, Solly Solomon, Sowmya P. Mohandas, Sajan C. Raju, Rosamma Philip

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The present study examines the efficacy of pre- processing of sediment samples prior to DNA isolation to obtain high-quality eDNA for metagenomic analyses from crystallizer saltern pond in Goa during the salt harvesting phase. The quality of the extracted eDNA were confirmed through spectrophotometric analysis and PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. The study showed that method 2 and 3 incorporating preprocessing of the sediment samples yielded better quality eDNA compared to the direct isolation protocol (method1). By adopting the best method i.e., preprocessing by sediment suspension- filtration, followed by DNA isolation, the eDNA was procured and subjected to …

Morphometric, Physiological, And Environmental Health Assessments Of Enhalus Acoroides From The Southeast Coast Of Bali, Indonesia, Made Pharmawati, Luh Putu Wrasiati, Ni Made Gari

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Seagrasses function as primary producers and as spawning grounds and shelter for marine biota. Regardless of their relevance, seagrasses are under threat due to anthropogenic impacts and an increasing frequency of extreme climate events. Enhalus acoroides is a species of seagrass that is spread in the east and southeast waters of Bali, from Sanur Beach to Nusa Dua Beach. This study aims to analyze the differences in morphometry and the chlorophyll, proline, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, a marker for oxidative stress in E. acoroides leaves at Pengastian Beach, Semawang Beach, and Samuh Beach, Bali. Samples were collected using line transect …