Is The Detection Of Accelerated Sea Level Rise Imminent?,
2016
Old Dominion University
Is The Detection Of Accelerated Sea Level Rise Imminent?, J. T. Fasullo, R. S. Nerem, B. Hamlington
CCPO Publications
Global mean sea level rise estimated from satellite altimetry provides a strong constraint on climate variability and change and is expected to accelerate as the rates of both ocean warming and cryospheric mass loss increase over time. In stark contrast to this expectation however, current altimeter products show the rate of sea level rise to have decreased from the first to second decades of the altimeter era. Here, a combined analysis of altimeter data and specially designed climate model simulations shows the 1991 eruption of Mt Pinatubo to likely have masked the acceleration that would have otherwise occurred. This masking …
Determining The Viability Of Recent Storms As Modern Analogues For North-Central Gulf Of Mexico Paleotempestology Through Sedimentary Analysis And Storm Surge Reconstruction,
2016
University of Southern Mississippi
Determining The Viability Of Recent Storms As Modern Analogues For North-Central Gulf Of Mexico Paleotempestology Through Sedimentary Analysis And Storm Surge Reconstruction, Joshua Caleb Bregy
Master's Theses
The northern Gulf of Mexico has been devastated by recent intense storms. Camille (1969) and Katrina (2005) are two notable hurricanes that made landfall in virtually the same location in Mississippi. However, fully understanding the risks and processes associated with hurricane impacts is impeded by a short and fragmented instrumental record. Paleotempestology could potentially use modern analogues from intense storms in this region to extend the hurricane record back to pre-observational time. Existing empirically based models can back-calculate surge heights over coastal systems as a function of transport distance, particle settling velocity, and gravitational acceleration. We collected cores in a …
A Tribute To Thomas M. Church: Exploring Chemical Oceanography In The Coastal Zone-The History And Future,
2016
Old Dominion University
A Tribute To Thomas M. Church: Exploring Chemical Oceanography In The Coastal Zone-The History And Future, Gregory A. Cutter, David J. Burdige
OES Faculty Publications
(First paragraph) One can find different historical perspectives on the development of studying the chemistry of oceans as well as names for this study—marine chemistry, chemistry of the sea, marine aquatic chemistry, marine biogeochemistry, or chemical oceanography. It could be argued that chemical oceanography is the most inclusive for an earth science since oceanography itself is an integrated discipline that links the biology, chemistry, geology, and physics together. Regardless of the name, perhaps the first intensive, modern/post-nineteenth century study of the ocean’s chemistry was the GEOSECS Program from ca. 1970–1978. The significance of GEOSECS was that it examined the chemistry …
Sunlight Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence In The Near-Infrared Spectral Region In Natural Waters: Interpretations Of The Narrow Reflectance Peak Around 761nm,
2016
Nanjing University
Sunlight Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence In The Near-Infrared Spectral Region In Natural Waters: Interpretations Of The Narrow Reflectance Peak Around 761nm, Yingcheng Lu, Linhai Li, Minwei Zhang, Shaojie Sun, Chunguang Lv
Marine Science Faculty Publications
Sunlight induced chlorophyll a fluorescence (SICF) can be used as a probe to estimate chlorophyll a concentrations (Chl) and infer phytoplankton physiology. SICF at ∼685 nm has been widely applied to studies of natural waters. SICF around 740 nm has been demonstrated to cause a narrow reflectance peak at ∼761 nm in the reflectance spectra of terrestrial vegetation. This narrow peak has also been observed in the reflectance spectra of natural waters, but its mechanism and applications have not yet been investigated and it has often been treated as measurement artifacts. In this study, we aimed to interpret …
Simulating Bottom Reflectance Retrievals Using An Analytical Solution For The Two-Flow Irradiance Models,
2016
Florida Institute of Technology
Simulating Bottom Reflectance Retrievals Using An Analytical Solution For The Two-Flow Irradiance Models, Tyler A. Rotkiske
Theses and Dissertations
Existing analytical solutions to the two-flow irradiance equations are used to obtain new relations for simulating hyperspectral bottom reflectance signatures. Synthetic bottom reflectance signatures are compared to measured bottom reflectance signatures in order to test the model equation limitations of the formulations. Measured hyperspectral bottom reflectance signatures for a dead reef, Elkhorn coral, seagrass and sand, sand, and turtle grass are used. Estimated collimated and diffuse irradiances are inputs needed to run model formulations. Also, specific absorption, specific backscattering coefficients, and water depth for ocean, coastal, and estuarine waters are used as inputs to simulate bottom reflectance retrievals. The specific …
A Compilation Of Global Bio-Optical In Situ Data For Ocean-Colour Satellite Applications,
2016
University of Lisbon, Portugal
A Compilation Of Global Bio-Optical In Situ Data For Ocean-Colour Satellite Applications, André Valente, Shubba Sathyendranath, Vanda Brotas, Steve Groom, Michael Grant, Malcolm Taberner, David Antoine, Robert A. Arnone Prof, William M. Balch, Kathryn Baker, Ray Barlow, Simon Bélanger, Jean-François Berthon, Sükrü Beşiktepe, Vittorio Brando, Elisabetta Canuti, Francisco Chavez, Hervé Claustre, Richard Crout, Robert Frounin, Carlos García-Soto, Stuart W. Gibb, Richard Gould, Stanford Hooker, Mati Kahru, Holger Klein, Susanne Kratzer, Hubert Loisel, David Mckee, Brian G. Mitchell, Tiffany Moisan, Frank Muller-Karger, Leonie O'Dowd, Michael Ondrusek, Alex J. Poulton, Michel Repecaud, Timothy Smythe, Heidi M. Sosik, Michael Twardowski, Kenneth Voss, Jeremy Werdell, Marcel Wernand, Giuseppe Zibordi
Faculty Publications
A compiled set of in situ data is important to evaluate the quality of ocean-colour satellite-data records. Here we describe the data compiled for the validation of the ocean-colour products from the ESA Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative (OC-CCI). The data were acquired from several sources (MOBY, BOUSSOLE, AERONET-OC, SeaBASS, NOMAD, MERMAID, AMT, ICES, HOT, GeP&CO), span between 1997 and 2012, and have a global distribution. Observations of the following variables were compiled: spectral remote-sensing reflectances, concentrations of chlorophyll a, spectral inherent optical properties and spectral diffuse attenuation coefficients. The data were from multi-project archives acquired via the open internet …
Coastal Ocean And Shelf-Sea Biogeochemical Cycling Of Trace Elements And Isotopes: Lessons Learned From Geotraces,
2016
Old Dominion University
Coastal Ocean And Shelf-Sea Biogeochemical Cycling Of Trace Elements And Isotopes: Lessons Learned From Geotraces, Matthew A. Charette, Phoebe J. Lam, Maeve C. Lohan, Eun Young Kwon, Vanessa Hatje, Catherine Jeandel, Alan M. Shiller, Gregory A. Cutter, Alex Thomas, Philip W. Boyd
OES Faculty Publications
Continental shelves and shelf seas play a central role in the global carbon cycle. However, their importance with respect to trace element and isotope (TEI) inputs to ocean basins is less well understood. Here, we present major findings on shelf TEI biogeochemistry from the GEOTRACES programme as well as a proof of concept for a new method to estimate shelf TEI fluxes. The case studies focus on advances in our understanding of TEI cycling in the Arctic, transformations within a major river estuary (Amazon), shelf sediment micronutrient fluxes and basin-scale estimates of submarine groundwater discharge. The proposed shelf flux tracer …
Abundance And Diversity Of Deep-Sea Crustaceans Of Bear Seamount, New England Seamount Chain,
2016
Nova Southeastern University
Abundance And Diversity Of Deep-Sea Crustaceans Of Bear Seamount, New England Seamount Chain, Valerie Miranda
HCAS Graduate Science Research Symposium
Bear Seamount (39° 55’ N; 67° 30’ W) is the westernmost peak of extinct undersea volcanoes in the New England Seamount Chain (Moore et al., 2003). It is located on the continental slope off Georges Bank, and is governed by unique environmental factors and currents that may be unlike those of the other seamounts (Moore et al., 2003). Previous cruises to this seamount have been successful in capturing abundant fishes, cephalopods and invertebrates (Moore et al., 2003; Moore et al., 2004; Moore et al., 2008), but only the distribution patterns of the fishes and cephalopods have been examined, leaving a …
Vision And Bioluminescence In Deep-Sea Crustaceans,
2016
Nova Southeastern University
Vision And Bioluminescence In Deep-Sea Crustaceans, Tamara Frank
HCAS Graduate Science Research Symposium
Adaptations of the visual systems of deep-sea crustaceans to dim light environments are driven not only by environmental light, but also biologically produced light, or bioluminescence. In the pelagic zone, the relationship is driven, at least in part, by intrinsic bioluminescence. The unusual possession of UV sensitivity, in additional to the expected blue sensitivity, in several species of deep-sea crustaceans appears to be linked to their two modes of bioluminescence. In the benthic zone, the relationship is not so clear. On several NOAA-OER funded research expeditions, electrophysiological studies were conducted on a number of species of decapod crustaceans collected with …
Monitoring A Problem: Evaluating The Ecological Status Of The Invasive Nile Monitor In Florida And Forecasting Population Expansion Using Computational Gis,
2016
Nova Southeastern University
Monitoring A Problem: Evaluating The Ecological Status Of The Invasive Nile Monitor In Florida And Forecasting Population Expansion Using Computational Gis, Noah Cohen
HCAS Graduate Science Research Symposium
The state of Florida is an epicenter for the introduction of exotic terrestrial and marine species, often which are attributed to the pet industry. Identifying the threats posed by exotics that may become invasive is critical to manage and protect indigenous species and habitats. One such exotic that is now invasive in Florida is the Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus). The Nile monitor is a large, predatory lizard native to central and southern Africa that is thought to have been introduced to Florida via both intentional and unintentional releases associated with the exotic pet trade. Since their introduction, Nile monitors have …
Genomic Assembly Analyses Of Asian Teleost Species Seabass (Lates Calcarifer) And Arowana (Scleropages Formosus),
2016
Nova Southeastern University
Genomic Assembly Analyses Of Asian Teleost Species Seabass (Lates Calcarifer) And Arowana (Scleropages Formosus), Stephen O'Brien
HCAS Graduate Science Research Symposium
The genome assembly and annotation of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) , a marine teleost with aquaculture relevance will be described, an initiative of Genome 10K . Though > 500 eukaryotic genome sequences are available in public repositories, the majority are highly fragmented with incomplete assemblies, so considerable effort and resources are often spent to improve their quality. In the present study, PacBio long read sequencing , genetic and optical mapping, and syntenic inference were combined to build a chromosome-length assembly with a contig N50 size over 1 Mb and scaffold N50 size over 25 Mb that span ~90% of the genome …
If You Build It, Will They Come? Exploring Enhancements To Artificial Structure For Use In Restoration And Mitigation Applications In The Mexican Caribbean,
2016
Nova Southeastern University
If You Build It, Will They Come? Exploring Enhancements To Artificial Structure For Use In Restoration And Mitigation Applications In The Mexican Caribbean, Kirk Kilfoyle
HCAS Graduate Science Research Symposium
A study involving standardized artificial reef modules (ReefballsTM) was conducted in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. The purpose was to explore the use of artificial structure in restoration and mitigation projects in a Caribbean coral reef environment similar to South Florida by applying select experimental treatments hypothesized to accelerate their acquisition of a natural coral reef assemblage. Multiple hypotheses on the progression and interaction between artificial structure and the resulting fish, coral, algal, and non-coral invertebrate assemblages were examined. Each of 40 reefball modules received one of 4 treatments (10 modules/treatment): invertebrate substrate pads, coral transplants, settlement plates, or control. Following deployment, …
On The Variability Of Pacific Ocean Tides At Seasonal To Decadal Time Scales: Observed Vs Modelled,
2016
Portland State University
On The Variability Of Pacific Ocean Tides At Seasonal To Decadal Time Scales: Observed Vs Modelled, Adam Thomas Devlin
Dissertations and Theses
Ocean tides worldwide have exhibited secular changes in the past century, simultaneous with a global secular rise in mean sea level (MSL). The combination of these two factors contributes to higher water levels, and may increase threats to coastal regions and populations over the next century. Equally as important as these long-term changes are the short-term fluctuations in sea levels and tidal properties. These fluctuations may interact to yield locally extreme water level events, especially when combined with storm surge. This study, presented in three parts, examines the relationships between tidal anomalies and MSL anomalies on yearly and monthly timescales, …
Was 2015 The Summer Of The Shark? Evidence From The Coastal Carolina University Shark Project,
2016
Coastal Carolina University
Was 2015 The Summer Of The Shark? Evidence From The Coastal Carolina University Shark Project, Brooke Anderson
Honors Theses
Winyah Bay is a 65-km2 estuary in northeast South Carolina and is considered essential habitat and nursery ground for several shark species of the western North Atlantic. As a result of a number of shark bites/attacks during the summer of 2015, many concluded there was higher abundance of sharks than in previous years. The objective of this study was to test this hypothesis using surveys of shark populations from Winyah Bay in the summer of 2015, and comparing the diversity and abundance of sharks from this survey to those of previous years from the same survey. From July to August …
Abundance And Distribution Of Microplastic Particles In Winyah Bay, S.C. ,
2016
Coastal Carolina University
Abundance And Distribution Of Microplastic Particles In Winyah Bay, S.C. , Dillon King
Honors Theses
Plastics are incredibly durable synthetic polymers used in a wide variety of consumer products. Microplastics are generally defined as plastic debris ranging from 0.33 to 5 millimeters in size. Microplastic pollution in the environment is a global concern because of their propensity to serve as a vector for bioaccumlation and the spread of harmful bacteria. This study characterized the concentrations of floating microplastics in Winyah Bay, South Carolina, the surrounding freshwater river systems, and 10 miles offshore of Winyah Bay. Samples were collected according to NOAA standard techniques for microplastic collection in water using a 335 µm and 153 µm …
Development Of A [2]-Catenane Synthetic Method And A Student Beliefs Survey For A Hybrid Organometallics Course,
2016
Coastal Carolina University
Development Of A [2]-Catenane Synthetic Method And A Student Beliefs Survey For A Hybrid Organometallics Course, Jourdan E. Lakes
Honors Theses
In this study, the value-added of a new upper-level chemistry course, CHEM 372-Organometallics, was defined using a Student Beliefs Survey that was answered by students in CHEM 372 and by faculty who teach upper-level chemistry courses at Coastal Carolina University. The laboratory portion of CHEM 372 focused on the synthesis of a [2]-catenane, which is a molecularly interlocked molecule (MIM). The intention was to give the CHEM 372 students a goal to work toward over the course of the semester instead of different, unrelated, experiments each week. Using this style of lab teaching, the students were introduced to graduate school-level …
Biological Hot Spots And The Accumulation Of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter In A Highly Productive Ocean Margin,
2016
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Biological Hot Spots And The Accumulation Of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter In A Highly Productive Ocean Margin, Yuan Shen, Cédric G. Fichot, Sheng-Kang Liang, Ronald Benner
Faculty Publications
Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and major biochemicals (amino acids and carbohydrates) were measured during five cruises (2009–2010) to the Louisiana margin in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Concentrations of amino acids and carbohydrates were elevated at mid-salinities and were indicative of plankton production of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in surface waters. Hot spots of two compositionally distinct types of labile DOM were identified based on the relative abundances of amino acids and carbohydrates. Amino acid-rich hot spots occurred sporadically in regions of high phytoplankton biomass and were mostly observed between dusk and dawn, reflecting a grazing source. In …
The Marine Cyanate Cycle,
2016
Old Dominion University
The Marine Cyanate Cycle, Brittany Widner
OES Theses and Dissertations
Cyanate (OCN-) is a reduced nitrogen compound with the potential to serve as a nitrogen and carbon source for marine microbes. Evidence from genomes and culture studies indicated that several marine cyanobacterial groups, including representatives of the globally important genera Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus, might be capable of cyanate assimilation. However, prior to this study, the distribution, bioavailability, and production pathways of cyanate were unknown in natural systems due to the absence of a sensitive cyanate assay; and the ability of organisms to assimilate cyanate on relevant timescales was unknown because we lacked a suitable tracer for measuring uptake. I developed …
West Florida Shelf Connectivity: An Exploratory Study,
2016
University of South Florida
West Florida Shelf Connectivity: An Exploratory Study, Amanda Sue Reinert
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This Thesis explores the connectiveness of the West Florida Shelf’s various areas of economic and ecological importance by considering five case studies of varying dynamic forcing influences and time. The advection of water about the shelf moves nutrients and has a direct impact on the shelf’s ecology and the determination of whether or not the shelf will be oligotrophic at any given time or location. The case studies are analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively after quasi-isopycnal particle trajectory calculations are completed for each. The findings support a combination of local and deep-ocean forcing being ideal for the maximum advection and …
Influence Of The Mississippi River On Pseudo-Nitzschia Spp. Abundance And Toxicity In Louisiana Coastal Waters,
2016
Louisiana State University
Influence Of The Mississippi River On Pseudo-Nitzschia Spp. Abundance And Toxicity In Louisiana Coastal Waters, Sibel Bargu, Melissa M. Baustian, Nancy N. Rabalais, Ross Del Rio, Benjamin Von Korff, R. Eugene Turner
Faculty Publications
The presence of domoic acid (DA) toxin from multiple species of Pseudo-nitzschia is a concern in the highly productive food webs of the northern 1,* 2,3 2 1 1,4 1 1 2 3 4 Gulf of Mexico. We documented the Pseudo-nitzschia presence, abundance, blooms, and toxicity over 3 years along a transect ∼100 km west of the Mississippi River Delta on the continental shelf. Pseudo-nitzschia were present throughout the year and occurred in high abundances (>10 cells l ) in the early spring months during high Mississippi River (MSR) flow (∼20,000 m s ) but were most abundant ( …
