Marine Biology Commons^™

Nantucket Eelgrass Management Plan, Kimberly Starbuck, Kristin Uiterwyk, Shannon Hogan

Urban Harbors Institute Publications

Eelgrass is a critical component of our coastal ecosystem, supporting marine biodiversity, improving water quality, and helping to stabilize the shoreline. This planning effort aims to support the long-term health and sustainability of eelgrass habitats in our local waters.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) is a subtidal seagrass found on both the east and west coasts of North America. Over the last 40 years, eelgrass has declined worldwide as a result of increased turbidity, algal blooms, physical disturbances, disease, and a host of other stressors. Specifically, in Massachusetts, the eelgrass population has declined approximately 50% in the last 30 …

Life Beneath The Tides: Seagrass Meadows In Surigao Del Sur, Philippines, Giselle B. Ramos, Roxan E. Caray

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Seagrasses are a valuable component of global blue carbon ecosystems yet are also endangered due to natural and man-made pressures. This study assessed the seagrass resources regarding species community structure and diversity using a transect-quadrat design along the intertidal coastlines of selected towns of Surigao del Sur. Of the 19 recorded species in the Philippines, seven common species were observed: Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule pinifolia, Halodule uninervis, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Halophila ovalis. Across study sites, the most evident species are T. hemprichii, C. rotundata, and S. isoetifolium; the existence …

Steric Sea Level Variability Over The Red Sea, Turki Alraddadi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The current paper analyzes the steric sea level (SSL) variability over the Red Sea (RS) and linked it with climate modes namely, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and East Atlantic West Russian (EAWR) patterns using a reanalysis dataset. Long-term (1993--2015) profile temperature and salinity data acquired from Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) was used to compute the SSL. The results show that the SSL is out of phase comparing to the total sea level, which may reduce fluctuations of water level within the sea. Furthermore, it accounts for only 10% of the total sea level variations. The first and second Empirical …

Machine Learning Applications For Berth Allocation Optimization In Major Red Sea Ports: A Multi-Port Analysis, Mohammed H. Alshareef

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Efficient berth allocation remains a critical challenge in Red Sea port operations, particularly given the diverse operational capabilities across the region's ports. The research utilized historical operational data from 147,892 berth allocation instances across these ports spanning 2019--2023. A deep learning model was developed using four dense layers with ReLU activation functions, incorporating vessel characteristics, weather patterns, and operational constraints. The model's performance was validated through comparison with traditional allocation methods using real-time port operation data. Port selection criteria included geographical distribution along the Red Sea, varying levels of technological adoption, and willingness to share operational data for research purposes. …

Assessment Of Dominant Shark And Ray Species And Their Size At Brondong And Muncar Ports, East Java, Indonesia, Tri Djoko Lelono, Gatut Bintoro, Arief Setyanto, M. Arief Rahman, Desy Setyoningrum, Naufal Hilda Bahtiar, Hanifa Ramadhani, Tawang Firmansyah, Hasan Syaiful Rizal

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Shark and ray species are both limited in number and distribution and require time to mature and reproduce, making these species extremely vulnerable to mass exploitation as a resource. Based on the identification results, Muncar Port Banyuwangi had 26 species from 490 ray samples, and Brondong Port Lamongan had 28 species from 1830 ray samples. Fifteen species of rays were found only in Brondong, 17 species of rays were found only in Muncar, and as many as 13 were found in the two sample sites. As for sharks in Muncar, 38 out of 679 species were Brondong samples and 22 …

Innovations In Shipbuilding: A Comprehensive Review Of Material Selection, Corrosion Management, And Environmental Considerations, Oumaima Bouanani, Sara Sandabad, Moulay El Houssine Ech-Chhibat

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The shipbuilding industry, a cornerstone of global maritime operations, oversees vessel lifecycles from design through commissioning. This article delves into the industry's complex role in facilitating global trade, driving technological advancements, and prioritizing sustainability and safety. The harsh marine environment-marked by salinity, temperature extremes, and mechanical stresses-necessitates resilient and durable vessel structures. Consequently, the careful selection of materials is crucial for ensuring vessel longevity and performance under stringent safety and environmental standards. Recent breakthroughs in shipbuilding materials, including high-strength steel, composites, and lightweight alloys, have transformed the industry. Innovative solutions, such as shape memory alloys and eco-friendly composites, are designed …

Identifying And Analysing Coastal Landforms In Ar Rāyis, Saudi Arabia: Insights From Sentinel Data And Field Studies, Omar A. Alharbi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This study examines the coastal geomorphology of the Ar Rāyis coastal zone on the eastern Red Sea coastal plain, along with the processes underpinning this geomorphology. Coastal areas feature various landforms, including beaches, intertidal flats, khawrs (lagoons), sand spits, sand dunes, sabkhas (salt marshes), coral reefs, wadis, raised coral reef terraces, and alluvial terraces. These landform features suggest rapid alterations in coastal conditions. Furthermore, the analysis of Sentinel-2B data via digital processing reveals a range of natural land covers, with field investigations confirming the results. The supervised classification methods assisted in distinguishing between regions of deep and shallow water, while …

Antibiofilm Activity Of Amylases Isolated From The Bacteria Associated With The Soft Coral Sarcophyton Trocheliophorum, Asmaa Marshoud Al Harbi, Mamdoh T Jamal, Sathianeson Satheesh

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Amylases are one of the important enzymes with tremendous biotechnological applications. In this study, the amylase enzyme producing bacterial strains associated with the soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum was isolated and identified. The amylases were produced in a specific growth medium and the stability was tested under different pH and temperature conditions. The crude amylases were tested for the antibiofilm activity against two biofilm-forming bacterial strains. The amylase enzyme extracted from two bacterial strains (KAU-AS1 and KAU-AS3) showed good activity in the antibiofilm activity assays. The amylases reduced the growth and attachment of the biofilm bacteria. Also, the amylase enzymes degraded …

Morphological Observations Of Ophioderma Hybridum (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) From Western Of Libya, Najla Mohamed Abushaala, Edris Mansour, Ignazio Sparacio, Abdulfattah Elfituri

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The distribution of the species of Ophioderma in the Mediterranean is still incompletely known. In this paper, Ophioderma hybridum (Ophiuroidea, Ophiodermatidae) is reported for the first time from the coast of Tajura, in the southern Mediterranean Sea, Libya. This recently described species was until now known only from the coast of Tunisia. Description of external appearance and taxonomic characteristics: Specimens had a dark reddish brown body colour on disc and arms, the radial shields not covered by granules. As a result of these morphological observations, O. hybridum is added to the Ophiuroidea fauna of the Libyan coast, southern Mediterranean Sea, …

Isolation And Importance Of Endophytic Actinomycetes Of Some Red Sea Algae And Their Biological Activities, Najla Ali Alburae

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Endophytic Actinomycetes attract scientist's attention and in particular, endophytes from marine algae were documented and showed many biological activities that maintain ecological balance in various habitats that solve many health problems. This research aimed at the development of antimicrobial and antioxidant agent from endophytic Actinomycetes. Three seaweed algal samples were collected from the Red Sea Umluj corniche, nestled in northwestern of Saudi Arabia and identified as Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta), Dictyota dichotoma (Phyaephyta) and Gelidium sp. (Rhodophyta). The collected algal samples were washed, surface sterilized, cut into small squares for Endophytic Actinomycete isolation on Starch nitrate medium containing 10% NaCl. Twelve …

Accumulation And Distribution Of Microplastic Particles In Recent Coastal Sediments From Specific Areas Of The Syrian Coast And Determination Of Medium Energy, Samer Ghadeer, Yousef Rslan

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Despite the numerous benefits plastics have brought to our daily lives, they have also introduced many unexpected and serious environmental challenges, particularly for marine environments, their ecosystems, and sediments. This research holds significant importance as it addresses microplastic pollution, a pressing contemporary issue that demands solutions. It marks the first study of its kind on the Syrian coast, utilizing sediments to identify and quantify microplastics, as well as to determine their sizes and the primary human activities contributing to their spread. A comprehensive study was conducted on sediment samples from specific areas along the Syrian coast-Wadi Qandel, Banias, and Al-Mantar-to …

Impact Of Oceanographic Gradients And Marine Heatwaves On The Picophytoplankton Community In The Northern California Current System, Kristin E. Forgrave, Carey P. Sweeney, Melissa Steinman, Anvita U. Kerkar, Timothy M. Pettit, Anne W. Thompson

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Northern California Current (NCC) system is a productive coastal ecosystem with a mosaic of temporal and spatial features. The phytoplankton community plays a crucial role in supporting the rich ecosystem and economically important fisheries of the NCC. Our study integrates data across two years (2022-2023) and multiple transects to investigate the community composition of two major phytoplankton groups in the NCC: picocyanobacteria and photosynthetic picoeukaryotes (PPE). The abundances and cell sizes of the phytoplankton were measured using flow cytometry. We found PPE present at similar concentrations in both summer and winter, while picocyanobacteria were much more abundant in the …

Updated Take Estimates Of Marine Turtles In The Guajira Peninsula, Venezuela, Royner Carrasquero-Labarca, Matthew Ware, Jordano Palmar, Daniela Rojas-Cañizales, Héctor Barrios-Garrido

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The Guajira Peninsula is one of the most important foraging grounds areas for marine turtles in Venezuela. There, five species converging: the green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, and olive ridley. The Wayuú indigenous people are inhabits of the Guajira Peninsula. They have a close relationship with these animals, and for generations, they have used these species as subsistence resources. Marine turtle take has always occurred in this area and has historically been high; it is still happening now, but the current extent is unknown. For that reason, we aimed to assess and update the estimate for marine turtles take in …

Design And Evaluation Of An Innovative Biomimetic Coral Transport Container, John-Christopher L. Calulo, Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, Leah D. Madrazo, Dana Isabelle P. Villano, Angel Nicole B. Villanueva

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Coral reefs are vulnerable to disruptive human activities such as pollution, overfishing, and coastal development—degrading water quality and reef structures. Active reef restoration entails temporarily relocating several corals to aquaculture facilities to achieve successful rehabilitation; however, current coral transport methods pose certain risks, such as stress-induced mortality, which can result from physical damage during transportation. Existing studies on coral transport have explored various techniques for collecting, shipping, and maintaining live coral specimens. The design consists of petal-shaped areas where the waves gather, akin to a coral reef’s grooves, separated by wedges—the spurs—that cause waves to divide. The different design modifications …

Understanding The Habitat Associations Of Nearshore Rockfishes Inside And Outside Of Marine Protected Areas Using Hook-And-Line Data, Kaila Raeanne Fritch

Master's Theses

Habitat is an important driver in shaping the distribution of a range of species. For demersal fish species, benthic habitat characteristics can drive distribution and community structure. Understanding the relationship between habitat and species distribution in important, especially for exploited species such as rockfishes (Sebastes spp.). Increased data on the relationship between rockfish and benthic habitat characteristics could enhance marine protected areas (MPAs) and management practices which are used to protect rockfishes along the U.S. West Coast. To address this, we used hook-and-line, catch-and-release data that were collected inside two MPAs on the central coast of California, and …

Capfish Project Report : Summer Academy For The Pacific Islands, Kathleen Auld, Francis Neat, Raphaël Baumler

Reports

The CAPFISH Project was created in response to an identified need for capacity-building to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and related matters - a complex problem affecting aquatic ecosystems, coastal communities, fishers and fish workers, and economic and national security. Over the last four years, the CAPFISH Project has provided training and educational materials on IUU fishing to developing country administrations around the world, most recently with a two-week regional Summer Academy for the Pacific Islands. This Academy ran for two weeks and included delegates from fisheries, labour, safety, maritime, foreign affairs, and enforcement administrations in the Pacific …

United Seas For Resilient Reefs: A Blueprint For Coral Conservation Through International Cooperation, John J. Bohorquez, Maoz Fine, Dana I. Grieco, David A. Gill, Ali Al-Swalimih, Jacqueline Padilla-Gamino, Isaiah W. Bolden, Margaux Hein, Callum Backstrom, Melanie Mcfield, Raphael Martinez, Benjamin Midberry, Fahd Al-Guthmy, Ellen K. Pikitch, Natalia Benejam, Chen Azulay, Britt Ronen, Oren Levy, Anne Mcelroy, Karine Kleinhaus

School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

Coral reefs are one of Earth’s most vital and threatened ecosystems. They protect coastlines, generate billions of dollars of tourism revenue, support valuable fisheries, and contribute to the development of vital medicines. Yet half of the world's coral reefs have been lost in the last 50 years, and 90% of remaining reefs are projected to die off by the middle of this century, mainly due to warming seas from climate change.

Despite these challenges there is reason for hope. Some coral reefs – such as in the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba – have demonstrated remarkable resilience to …

Insights Into Prey Handling And Feeding Strategies By Ghost Crabs On Sea Turtle Eggs And Hatchlings, Casper Avenant

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The feeding behaviour on sea turtle eggs and hatchlings by the golden ghost crab Ocypode convexa, a species endemic to the west coast of Australia, was observed in field and laboratory settings using infrared videography. On beaches where ghost crab densities are high, multiple crabs can feed on nests over several nights, often resulting in destruction of clutches. Crabs appear to anticipate the emergence of hatchlings, often congregating near nests in the moments prior to emergence. When feeding on eggs crabs rupture eggshells using the sharp tips of their claws, with tissue subsequently moved to the mouthparts for ingestion using …

Exposure To Metoprolol And Propranolol Mixtures On Biochemical, Immunohistochemical, And Molecular Alterations In The American Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica, Andrew Salinas, Md Saydur Rahman

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Pharmaceutical drugs, particularly beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol, etc.), are extensively used to treat human cardiovascular conditions, yet pose significant risks to non-target aquatic organisms when introduced into coastal and marine environments via wastewater effluent. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exposure (one week) to environmentally relevant concentrations of metoprolol and propranolol (MP) mixtures (low-dose: 50 ng/L propranolol and 250 ng/L metoprolol, and high-dose: 250 ng/L propranolol and 650 ng/L metoprolol) in the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica, a commercially and ecologically important marine bivalve mollusk) under controlled laboratory conditions. Histopathological assessments revealed structural damage to gills, …

Ecospiritual Entanglement, Ali Vedad Yüner

Masters Theses

Land breeds culture. It gives us the resources to thrive, and in that process we establish a relationship with its constituents. With a multitude of beings inhabiting the land, a complex web of relationships develop. Biology describes these relationships as food webs; the mass entanglement of organisms in a manner that each organism nourishes the other. These webs are not just mere scientific structures but rather an interpretation of existential connections that every organism in the world, humans included, are indebted to. Food webs are the first stepping stone in the formation of culture, as they account for the engagement …