Understanding Impacts of Microplastics on Eastern Oysters Microplastics can cause direct damage to marine biota, absorb hazardous chemical contaminants, and bio-accumulate in benthic invertebrates and fish destined for human consumption. Preliminary research at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab has demonstrated that microplastics are prevalent in the nGoM but the potential impacts on key marine resources, due to transported hazardous chemicals, …
Impact Assessment of Derelict Crab Pots in Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay – 2007
Conduct ground-truthed sonar survey to estimate derelict trap abundance and conduct field experiment to estimate impact on a per trap basis. Project Abstract The 2007 project built on previous efforts that identified significant derelict trap densities in the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay (MDCB). This study implemented a side-scan sonar survey, using ground truthing by controlled detection testing and …
Assessment of Derelict Fishing Net Impacts on Coral Reef Habitats at Midway Atoll – 2008
Assessment and monitoring of coral reef sites around Midway Atoll that are potentially impacted by derelict fishing nets as well as removal efforts to reduce these nets. Project Abstract This initiative aimed to assess the impact of derelict nets and the potential impact of removal efforts of those nets to coral reef ecosystems of Midway Atoll by comparing the percent …
Investigating selective grazing by copepods on microplastic particles – 2013
Address fundamental questions about the ability of zooplankton to ingest microplastics Project Abstract Scientists at the Sea Education Association (SEA) and Helix Science, LLC are conducting experiments that address fundamental questions about the ability of zooplankton to ingest microplastic particles. Experiments will investigate selective grazing by a copepod species when phytoplankton (natural prey) and microplastics are present together, and will …
Deepwater Benthic Assessment for Derelict Fishing Gear off California – 2007
Examine previously collected video of deep benthic habitat off California to assess and quantify marine debris. Project Abstract NOAA NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) has partnered with scientists across multiple agencies to survey groundfish assemblages and habitats in deepwater off California using manned submersibles executing video transects. This project examined the resulting nearly 400 hours of footage to …