Marine Biology Commons^™

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 …

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 …

Population Genomics Data For The Temperate Seagrass Posidonia Sinuosa, John Whale, Elizabeth Sinclair, Chanelle Webster, Nicole Said, Ankje Frouws, David Field, Kathryn Mcmahon

Research Datasets

Seagrasses are flowering plants commonly found along coastal waters, globally, where they provide important ecosystem services such as habitat provision, sequestering carbon, and sediment stabilization. They can reproduce both clonally and sexually where sexual reproduction can result in new, potentially adaptive, variants and the existence of both reproductive methods means that meadows can be highly variable in clonal diversity. The temperate seagrass, Posidonia sinuosa, occurs across a latitudinal gradient along the Western Australian coastline. Some meadows have experienced significant decline as a result of industrialisation and urbanisation of coastal areas. We investigated spatial genetic diversity, structure, and local adaptation using …

Example Imagery Survey Data And Project Files To Test Wisdam Software, Amanda Hodgson, Christophe Cleguer

Research Datasets

This example dataset is designed to support our WISDAM (Wildlife Image Survey Detection and Mapping) software—a free, open‑source application (available at www.WISDAMapp.org) created for researchers conducting wildlife imagery surveys. WISDAM enables users to generate data suitable for abundance estimation and spatial modelling from aerial photographic surveys of marine and terrestrial megafauna.

Limited Site-Specific Blue Carbon Recovery Following Tropical Seagrass Restoration In Thailand, Ratchanee Kaewsrikhaw, Milica Stankovic, Pere Masqué, Mathew A. Vanderklift, Tipamat Upanoi, Anchana Prathep

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seagrass restoration is gaining popularity as a nature-based method for climate change mitigation, owing to its effectiveness in capturing and storing organic carbon (Corg). However, demonstrating blue carbon additionality — defined as a measurable increase in carbon stocks directly attributable to restoration activities — remains challenging. This research assessed sedimentary Corg stocks and carbon accumulation rates in restored tropical seagrass meadows throughout Thailand. Despite successful restoration at multiple sites, sediment analysis showed little Corg accumulation, low Corg and organic matter content, with non-significant differences among restored seagrass areas, patchy natural meadows, and nearby bare sand areas. Limited sediment accumulation was …

Investigating The Impact Of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms On Freshwater Bivalves, Destiny Devlin

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) threaten freshwater ecosystems by producing toxins that disrupt aquatic organism functions and pose risks to human health. This study investigated how exposure to toxin-producing cyanobacteria affects the behavior and toxin accumulation of Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) under controlled laboratory conditions. Asian clams were collected from a freshwater site in New Jersey, maintained in greenhouse bins, and fed either Microcystis novacekii (non-toxin-forming, control N=3) or Microcystis aeruginosa (toxin-forming, experimental N=3) at 100,000 cells/mL for 28 days. Weekly behavioral assays were conducted to track shell opening, burying, clustering, valve closure, foot extension, and time to first opening. Toxin …

Development Of The Core Lit Apparatus For Seaweed Hatcheries (Clash) Bioreactor Using A Germplasm Approach, Phillip O. Tahimic

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In comparison to the Asian aquaculture industry, the United States has minimal seaweed production. There are several drivers of the limited industry in the US, such as regulatory constraints and limited market demand, but the ability to scale is a considerable barrier to commercialization. One possible solution is the development of land-based systems that integrate bioreactors, which utilize fewer resources and do not wholly rely on an oceanic flow-through system. This study assessed the application of a modular bioreactor, known as Core Lit Apparatus for Seaweed Hatcheries (CLASH), as a nursery system and open-source project designed to expand land-based seaweed …

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 …

Change In Community Composition And Structure On Subtidal Rock Walls In The Gulf Of Maine Over Four Decades Of Warming, Breck A. Mccollum

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The Gulf of Maine (GOM) has faced many changes over the last 47 years from overfishing of its iconic cod fish stocks to the introduction on non-native species, but no change has been as dramatic as the warming ocean temperatures that began to increase rapidly in the 2010s. This thermal shift is due largely to the northward movement of the Gulf Stream current mixing with Arctic meltwater before entering the GOM. Average summer temperatures jumped by 3.35°C between the periods of 1980-1985 and 2015-2020. This warming trend, combined with an increasing frequency of marine heat wave events, has led to …

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 …

Latent And Sensible Heat Flux In The Red Sea And Gulf Of Aden Using The Nemo Ocean Model Simulation, Moaath Ghanem, Yassir Albouraee, Mohammed A. Alsaafani, Alaa Albarakati

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The new configuration of NEMO (Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean) model in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden was presented for analyzing latent heat flux (LHF) and sensible heat flux (SHF) patterns in the region. The model was setup with 1/20° horizontal resolution and 30 vertical layers, using ERA5 atmospheric data for surface forcing. The model output for LHF, and SHF was compared with KAUST-Buoy observations and many reanalysis products (the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) surface turbulence fluxes, Japanese Ocean Flux Data Sets with Use of Remote Sensing Observations (J-OFURO3), Objectively Analyzed …