NEWSLINE - OCTOBER 2011
MarineLab joins the Phytoplankton Monitoring NetworkMarine Resources Development Foundation’s MarineLab instructors recently went through the required training to become volunteers for NOAA’s Center for Coastal Health and Biomolecular Research (CCHBR) Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN). The PMN monitors coastal sites in 17 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, using volunteers who take samples of seawater and look for phytoplankton that are responsible for harmful algal blooms (HAB) and other toxic events. Matt Brim of the PMN expressed excitement that MRDF staff instructors are joining the program, as they just started expanding into the Keys about six months ago. He said that the Keys are unique, in that the phytoplankton found here are not found anywhere else north of Miami. MRDF instructors will be taking samples at least biweekly and examining the samples under a microscope. The phytoplankton that we will be searching for are diatoms and dinoflagellates, and are responsible for a wide variety of toxins with environmental, human health, and economic impacts. Some samples will be preserved and sent to the CCHBR, located in Charleston, SC, but most data will be submitted online. Information and discussion about phytoplankton’s role in the ecosystem, including human impacts, will be added to our plankton tow activity. In addition, advanced students at MarineLab will be able to participate in the actual sampling and examination activities. MarineLab students and instructors are now participating in several research networks and providing data that is being used by scientists to make discoveries and recommend policies in many areas of marine science. We are part of GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) water quality network, the Southeast Ecological Research Center’s Water Quality Monitoring Network, Mote Marine Laboratory’s BleachWatch (coral bleaching events), and Seagrass Watch. |
MarineLab is Hiring!Seasonal and permanent instructor positions are available starting in January 2012. Check out the jobs page for details! DISCOVER MarineLab even if you only have a small group! |
