Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,819,600 TO SUPPORT MOBILE BAY'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN AND STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, PROTECT THE NATURAL HABITAT AND LIVING RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES WITHIN THE MOBILE BAY ESTUARY. TO CATALYZE ACTIONS OF ESTUARY STAKEHOLDERS, BUILD COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY FOR SOUND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND LEVERAGE COMMITMENT AND INVESTMENT TO ENSURE THE ESTUARY'S SUSTAINABILITY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS FIVE-YEAR BIL STRATEGY IS TO ADVANCE THE WISE STEWARDSHIP OF WATER QUALITY AND LIVING RESOURCES OF ALABAMA'S ESTUARIES AND COAST TO WITHSTAND CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED IMPACTS. THIS AGREEMENT IS SUPPORTED BY FUNDING PROVIDED UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA) (PL 117-58).ACTIVITIES:MOBILE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM ARE TO ENGAGE ESTUARY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANS (CCMPS), EXPAND RESOURCES AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE CCMPS. ALSO PROMOTE HOW TO BEST PROTECT THIS NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL RESOURCE TO ENSURE ITS CONSERVATION FOR OUR LIFETIME AND BEYOND. TO MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVENESS IN PROMOTING ESTUARY HEALTH.SUBRECIPIENT:ARCOS-BAY MONITORING COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM -PATHOGEN MONITORING PROGRAM JUSTICE 40 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM LIVING SHORELINE PROGRAM OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE BAY AND WATERSHED MONITORING. EXPECTED OUTPUTS TO IMPROVE ABILITY TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. CONTINUOUS MONITORING SALINITY, TEMPERATURE AND CHLOROPHYL A. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES WILL BE THE CITIZENS OF ALABAMA. SUBRECIPIENTS ACTIVITIES CURRENTLY KNOWN ARE:

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $625,000 TO THE MOBILE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY/MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM (MESC), DAUPHIN ISLAND, ALABAMA, TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP) AND STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY, PROTECT THE NATURAL HABITAT AND LIVING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES OF THE MOBILE BAY ESTUARY.

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $512,00 TO THE MOBILE BAY MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM (MESC), ALABAMA. MESC WILL USE THES

RAMP: BIOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING IN SCIENCE (BOATS) -COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS PROVIDE NUMEROUS ECONOMIC BENEFITS THROUGH SHIPPING AND TRADE, FISHING, AND TOURISM, BUT ARE FACING SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FROM CLIMATIC AND MAN-MADE DISTURBANCES. A DIVERSE, SKILLED, AND INTEGRATED WORKFORCE IS NEEDED TO ASSESS AND MEET IMMINENT CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH MANAGING COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS SECTORS TO BALANCE COMMERCIAL, CONSERVATION, AND TOURISM INTERESTS. TO CREATE SUCH A WORKFORCE, THIS PROJECT WILL DEVELOP A TRAINING PROGRAM BIOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING IN SCIENCE (BOATS) TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS TO TACKLE CONTEMPORARY AND FUTURE PROBLEMS. MANY RECENT UNIVERSITY GRADUATES LACK ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL RESEARCH EXPERIENCES AND TANGIBLE APPLIED SKILLS IN MODERN BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS. GAINING SUCH EXPERIENCE IS HAMPERED WHEN STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, MUST WORK DURING THEIR UNDERGRADUATE YEARS INSTEAD OF PURSUING INTERNSHIPS OR WORK STUDY OPPORTUNITIES. THUS, STUDENTS MAY COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES ONLY TO FIND LIMITED JOB AVAILABILITY DUE TO LACK OF EXPERIENCE, WHICH CAN LEAD STUDENTS TO LEAVE THE SCIENCES COMPLETELY. TARGETING STUDENTS WITH LIMITED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES DURING THEIR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES, THE ALABAMA?S MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM (MESC) WILL DEVELOP A POSTBACCALAUREATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON TRAINING, TANGIBLE CAREER FOCUSED SKILLS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. THIS TRAINING COUPLED WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WILL FACILITATE THE PURSUIT OF GRADUATE EDUCATION AND/OR FUTURE CAREERS IN OCEAN SCIENCE FOR BOATS PARTICIPANTS AND HELP DEVELOP FUTURE LEADERS TO ADDRESS COMPLEX PROBLEMS IN COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. COASTAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS ARE EXPERIENCING RADICAL CHANGES DUE TO WIDESPREAD CLIMACTIC AND ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCES. THESE STRESSORS AFFECT HABITATS, ORGANISMS, AND FOOD WEB DYNAMICS, ULTIMATELY CHANGING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND RESOURCES RELIED UPON BY COASTAL COMMUNITIES. SITUATED BETWEEN THE MOBILE-TENSAW DELTA (I.E., AMERICA?S AMAZON) AND THE FISHERIES FERTILE CRESCENT IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO, ALABAMA?S MESC IS WELL POISED TO ADDRESS HOW MULTIPLE STRESSORS INFLUENCE ORGANISMS? DISTRIBUTION AND INTERACTIONS. ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IS DRIVING SPECIES NORTHWARD (I.E., TOPICALIZATION), WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY CAUSING UNPRECEDENTED CHANGES IN HYPOXIA, SALINITY, TEMPERATURE, AND ALKALINITY. COUPLED WITH POLLUTION AND OVERFISHING, ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE POISES SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. UNDERSTANDING THE SYNERGISTIC INTERACTIONS AMONG THESE FACTORS IS PARAMOUNT FOR BOTH BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENTISTS. THE BOATS TRAINING PROGRAM INVOLVES CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH ON INTERACTIONS AMONG MULTIPLE STRESSORS WHILE PROVIDING TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE WITH ACADEMIC AND NONACADEMIC SCIENTISTS TO ADDRESS COMPLEX ISSUES IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS. ONGOING COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND FACILITIES ARE IN PLACE FOR THE BOATS PROGRAM TO BE IMPACTFUL FOR BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCE WHILE PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS AND THEIR MENTORS TO SOLVE COMPLEX PROBLEMS IN COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) AND MESC/DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB COLLABORATION

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GULF OF MEXICO ALLIANCE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRIORITIES AND ACTIONS

THIS ACTION APPROVES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $800 000 TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MOBILE

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $850,000 TO SUPPORT MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO CONVENE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES TO DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR ESTUARIES OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE THAT ARE THREATENED BY POLLUTION, DEVELOPMENT, OR OVERUSE. ALSO THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO MOBILE BAY FOR NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM (NEP) TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEP COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP). SPECIFICALLY THE PROJECT INVOLVE ACTIVITIES THAT ADDRESS THE KEY CHALLENGES FACING THE ESTUARY INCLUDING ASSESSING TRENDS IN WATER QUALITY, HABITATS, NATURAL RESOURCES AND USES; COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCMP BY THE NEP, ALONG WITH THE STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL AGENCIES, STAKEHOLDERS, NGOS, CITIZENS, PARTNERS, AND OTHERS; AND MONITORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE APPROVED CCMP AND ANNUAL WORKPLAN. ADDITIONALLY THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING OF ESTUARINE HEALTH AND COASTAL RESILIENCE AND SUPPORT WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES FOR ALL TIDALLY INFLUENCED DRAINAGE BASINS. THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COORDINATION, BASELINE MONITORING DATA, RESTORATION MONITORING DATA, AND WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK SUPPORT. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF POLLUTANT LOADS, INCREASED COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN MONITORING, INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS AND TRENDS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE CITIZENS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ETC. IN THE STATE/TERRITORY OF ALABAMA AND THIS ESTUARY DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM THIS PROJECT.ACTIVITIES:.SUBRECIPIENT:CREATE A CLEAN WATER FUTURE CAMPAIGN- MBNEP-IN HOUSE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TRAINING PROGRAM GRASSROOTS CAPACITY BUILDING: CITIZEN MONITORING CONTRACT WITH BAY KEEPER TO EXPAND VOLUNTEER MONITORING (NON PROFIT) OUTCOMES:'

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,651,076 TO SUPPORT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CONSORTIUM IN THE MOBILE BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM RESTORE PROJECT THAT WILL RESTORE APPROXIMATELY 1,800 LINEAR FEET OF STREAM ON THE HEADWATERS OF TWELVE MILE CREEK, A TRIBUTARY OF THREE MILE CREEK, AND IMPLEMENT AN EXTENSIVE INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL PLAN IN PRIORITY AREAS IDENTIFIED IN THE THREE MILE CREEK WATERSHED.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MOBILE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM (MBNEP) COMPREHENSIVE CON

QUANTIFYING THE EFFECT OF SEDIMENT MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN FACILITATING SILICA SEQUESTRATION DURING EARLY DIAGENESIS (QUALIFIED) -REVERSE WEATHERING IS THE PROCESS THAT FORMS CLAY MINERALS THROUGH REACTIONS THAT INVOLVE BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCED SILICA. CARBON DIOXIDE IS A BYPRODUCT OF REVERSE WEATHERING AND AN IMPORTANT GREENHOUSE GAS. AS A RESULT, REVERSE WEATHERING IS CONSIDERED AN IMPORTANT PROCESS THAT HAS REGULATED GLOBAL CLIMATE OVER THE EARTH?S NATURAL HISTORY. PRIOR STUDIES THAT HAVE EXAMINED REVERSE WEATHERING HAVE FOCUSED ONLY ON ABIOTIC FACTORS (I.E., FACTORS NOT AFFECTED BY BIOLOGY). THIS RESEARCH IS THE FIRST TO EXAMINE MICROBIAL EFFECTS ON REVERSE WEATHERING REACTIONS. THE PROJECT INCLUDES LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS WITH WELL-CHARACTERIZED MICROBIAL STRAINS. THESE EXPERIMENTS WILL PROVIDE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS COMPLICATED PROCESS IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT. FOLLOW-UP EXPERIMENTS AND SURVEYS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO DURING TWO FIELD CAMPAIGNS LED BY THE SCIENTIFIC TEAM. THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTES TO SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT AT MANY LEVELS. THE GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE PERSONNEL WILL LEARN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES AND COLLABORATE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERT IN REVERSE WEATHERING RESEARCH. UNDERGRADUATE TRAINEES FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES WILL RECEIVE PAID INTERNSHIPS. THE PROJECT SUPPORTS HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION IN MARINE SCIENCE THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB DISCOVERY HALL PROGRAM. SCIENTISTS INVOLVED IN THIS STUDY WILL ALSO WORK WITH A NON-PROFIT IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, THAT BRINGS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-8. REVERSE WEATHERING (RW) AFFECTS MANY BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES IN THE OCEAN. RW IS NOW RECOGNIZED TO REPRESENT ~40% OF GLOBAL OCEANIC SILICA BURIAL. SUCH RW-DRIVEN BURIAL RESTRICTS MOVEMENT OF DISSOLVED SILICA BACK INTO THE WATER COLUMN WHERE IT CAN FUEL DIATOM GROWTH (CONSUMING CARBON DIOXIDE) AND POTENTIALLY TRANSPORT DIATOM CARBON TO THE DEEP OCEAN WHERE IT CAN BE SEQUESTERED FOR CENTURIES. RW ALSO IS LIKELY TO BE A MAJOR, BUT POORLY UNDERSTOOD, SINK TERM IN THE OCEANIC CYCLES OF LI, AL, K, FE, GE AND MAY PLAY A ROLE IN COASTAL OCEAN ACIDIFICATION. PRELIMINARY FIELD DATA FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER PLUME DIRECTLY DEMONSTRATES A ROLE FOR SEDIMENT MICROBES IN THE EARLY PHASES OF RW. GIVEN THE SIMPLICITY IN THE BIOLOGICAL DESIGN OF THESE PILOT EXPERIMENTS, COLLABORATION BETWEEN EXPERTS IN SILICA CYCLING AND SEDIMENT MICROBIOLOGY IS NECESSARY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF MICROBES IN RW. THROUGH THIS RESEARCH, THE SCIENTIFIC TEAM WILL ADDRESS THE GENERAL QUESTION: WHAT FACTORS DETERMINE WHETHER MICROBES FACILITATE OR IMPEDE FORMATION OF EARLY DIAGENETIC SILICA PRODUCTS WITHIN THE PROCESS OF RW? THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS SCIENCE EDUCATION ACROSS MANY LEVELS INCLUDING: (1) PROGRAMS FOR K-12 STUDENTS OFFERED BY THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB DISCOVERY HALL PROGRAM, (2) STEM RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS, (3) GRADUATE STUDENT AND POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING AND (4) INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION. THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY PROGRAMS IN THE DIVISION OF OCEAN SCIENCES. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $909,800 TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP) AND STRATEGIC PLAN TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, PROTECT THE NATURAL HABITAT AND LIVING RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE HUMAN USES. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE ENGAGEMENT OF ESTUARY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANS (CCMPS) AND EXPANSION OF RESOURCES AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE CCMPS. SUBRECIPIENT:COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM- PATHOGEN MONITORING PROGRAM, COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM- PATHOGEN MONITORING PROGRAM (MOBILE COUNTY), STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS- THREE MILE CREEK/LOWER CHASAW (GULF VILLAGE/ALABAMA VILLAGE), STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS- WOLF BAY (BEULAH HEIGHTS), STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS- GENERAL JUSTICE 40 COMMUNITY LID, SHORELINE RESILIENCE.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE BAY AND WATERSHED MONITORING. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE MITIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONTINUOUS MONITORING SALINITY, TEMPERATURE AND CHLOROPHYL A. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

SHELBY CENTER FOR ECOSYSTEM-BASED FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $850,000 TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM (NEP) COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP). THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING OF ESTUARINE HEALTH AND COASTAL RESILIENCE AND SUPPORT WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES FOR ALL TIDALLY INFLUENCED DRAINAGE BASINS.ACTIVITIES:THE PROJECTS INCLUDED WILL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES THAT ADDRESS THE KEY CHALLENGES FACING THE ESTUARY INCLUDING ASSESSING TRENDS IN WATER QUALITY, HABITATS, NATURAL RESOURCES AND USES, COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCMP BY THE NEP, AND MONITORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE APPROVED CCMP AND ANNUAL WORKPLAN. THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE ACTIVITIES THAT ADDRESS THE KEY CHALLENGES FACING THE ESTUARY INCLUDING ASSESSING TRENDS IN WATER QUALITY, HABITATS, NATURAL RESOURCES AND USES; COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCMP BY THE NEP, ALONG WITH THE STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL AGENCIES, STAKEHOLDERS, NGOS, CITIZENS, PARTNERS, AND OTHERS; AND MONITORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE APPROVED CCMP AND ANNUAL WORKPLAN.SUBRECIPIENT:CREATE A CLEAN WATER FUTURE CAMPAIGN- MBNEP-IN HOUSE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TRAINING PROGRAM GRASSROOTS CAPACITY BUILDING: CITIZEN MONITORING CONTRACT WITH BAY KEEPER TO EXPAND VOLUNTEER MONITORING.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE THE SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COORDINATION, BASELINE MONITORING DATA, RESTORATION MONITORING DATA, AND WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK SUPPORT. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF POLLUTANT LOADS, INCREASED COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN MONITORING, INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS AND TRENDS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE CITIZENS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ETC. IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THIS ESTUARY DIRECTLY BENEFIT FROM THIS PROJECT. THE RESIDENCE OF MOBILE BAY AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT THROUGH INCREASED KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE TO RESTORATION ACTIVITIES, INCREASED KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS AND TRENDS, IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, IMPROVED HEALTH OF FISHERIES, IMPROVED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AT LOCAL SCALE, REDUCED TRASH IN WATERWAYS, RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF STRESSED HABITATS, EXPANDED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OWNERSHIP, IMPROVE ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION AND PROTECTION, IMPROVED COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT OF ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION AND PROTECTION ACTIVITIES.

FOOD & DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) AND MESC/DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB COLLABORATION

ALABAMA COASTAL PELAGIC FISHERIES

EXPANSION OF WWW.MYMOBILEBAY.COM FOR COASTAL ALABAMA RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: UNDERSTANDING SUBSTRATE LIMITATION AND LITHIUM AND SILICON ISOTOPE FRACTIONATION DURING SECONDARY CLAY FORMATION IN MARINE SYSTEMS

UNDERSTANDING INDIRECT CONTROLS ON SILICON ISOTOPE DISTRIBUTION IN SURFACE MARINE SEDIMENTS -REVERSE WEATHERING IS A CHEMICAL PROCESS THAT FORMS CLAY MINERALS FROM DISSOLVED SILICA AND POSITIVELY CHARGED IONS IN MARINE SEDIMENTS. THIS PROCESS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IMPACTS OCEAN PH, THE AVAILABILITY OF IMPORTANT METALS (E.G. IRON, LITHIUM), AND THE LONG-TERM CARBON CYCLE. IN THIS PROJECT, THE RESEARCHERS PLAN TO USE STABLE AND RADIOACTIVE SILICON ISOTOPES TO TRACK REVERSE WEATHERING PROCESSES IN SEDIMENTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER PLUME. THE RESEARCH INCLUDES LABORATORY AND SHIP-BASED EXPERIMENTS EXPLORING THE ROLE OF MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN SEDIMENT SILICON CYCLING AND REVERSE WEATHERING. THE EXPERIMENTS WILL ALSO STUDY HOW THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF OXYGEN AND DIFFERENT SEDIMENT TYPES INFLUENCE THESE PROCESSES. THE PROJECT WILL PRODUCE NOVEL DATA AND KEY INSIGHTS ABOUT THE CYCLING OF SILICON IN MARINE SEDIMENTS. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FOCUS ON TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS AT MULTIPLE LEVELS. THESE INCLUDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR COLLEGE UNDERGRADUATES AND TRAINING FOR A GRADUATE STUDENT. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO PROVIDE TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: 1) SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE AN IMMERSIVE SIX-WEEK MARINE SCIENCE CLASS OFFERED AT THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB AND 2) PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RURAL MISSOURI TO VISIT THE MOBILE BAY ECOSYSTEM WHERE THEY WILL BE INTRODUCED TO MARINE SCIENCE. REVERSE WEATHERING (RW) REACTIONS ARE THE COLLECTION OF EARLY DIAGENETIC PROCESSES WHICH PRODUCE AUTHIGENIC CLAY IN MARINE SEDIMENTS. REVERSE WEATHERING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT RELEASES CO2 AND IS THOUGHT TO BE A QUANTITATIVELY IMPORTANT SINK IN THE GEOCHEMICAL CYCLE OF MULTIPLE ELEMENTS IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT (E.G. SI, FE, K, MG). UNTIL RECENTLY, RW HAS BEEN CONSIDERED A GEOCHEMICAL PROCESS, BUT NEW WORK HAS INDICATED THE POTENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF MICROBES IN THE RW PROCESS. IN THIS PROJECT, THE RESEARCH TEAM WILL USE A COMBINATION OF LABORATORY AND FIELD EXPERIMENTS TO QUANTIFY THE SIGNATURE OF MICROBIAL ACTIVITY ON SILICON ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS IN A SUBTROPICAL DELTAIC ENVIRONMENT (THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER PLUME). SPECIFICALLY, THE RESEARCH TEAM SEEKS TO ADDRESS THREE KEY KNOWLEDGE GAPS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE PROCESSES: THE ROLES OF SEASONALITY, REDOX STATE, AND SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS. THIS RESEARCH USES A POWERFUL COMBINATION OF RADIOISOTOPE 32SI AND ?30SI TRACER APPROACHES TO TEST HYPOTHESES THAT AIM TO UNDERSTAND SEDIMENT PROCESSES IN THE FIELD. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING NEW INFORMATION AND NOVEL DATA, THIS PROJECT INCLUDES ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES, AND TRAINING FOR A GRADUATE STUDENT. BEYOND THE SCIENCE OBJECTIVES, THE PROJECT WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO REDEVELOPING US DOMESTIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ANALYSIS OF SILICON STABLE ISOTOPES IN OCEANOGRAPHIC SYSTEMS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

CAREER: MECHANISMS OF BIOTURBATION AND ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERING BY BENTHIC INFAUNA

THE BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC CONTROLS ON THE SILICON CYCLE IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $488,711 FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR CREATING TRASH-FREE WATERS. THE PROJECT WILL REQUIRE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH THAT INCLUDES CHANGES TO BUSINESS PRACTICES AND PERSONAL BEHAVIORS TO REDUCE WASTE IN THE THREE MILE CREEK WATERSHED IN ALABAMA.

ADDRESSING COMMUNICATION AND FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO SEA-LEVEL RISE RESILIENCE IN NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL COMMUNITIES

2. PROJECT SUMMARY OYSTERS ARE ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT, BUT THEIR NATURAL POPULATIONS HAVE DRASTICALLY DECLINED, AND OYSTER AQUACULTURE IS NECESSARY TO MEET MARKET DEMAND. OFF-BOTTOM OYSTER FARMING, WHERE OYSTERS ARE GROWN SUSPENDED ABOVE THE SEDIMENT, IS ON THE RISE IN ALABAMA BECAUSE IT REDUCES LOSSES RELATED TO POOR WATER QUALITY AND PREDATION. HOWEVER, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE UPFRONT INVESTMENT BOTH IN PERMITTING TIME AND STARTUP COSTS TO CREATE AN OYSTER FARM. APPROPRIATE SITE SELECTION AND USE OF THE CORRECT AQUACULTURE PRACTICES ARE PARAMOUNT TO MAXIMIZE OYSTER SURVIVAL AND GROWTH TO INCREASE YIELD. USING A COMBINATION OF IN-SITU RESEARCH AND MACHINE LEARNING, WE WILL CREATE A MODEL TO ASCERTAIN THE BEST LOCATIONS FOR OYSTER FARMING. DATA NEEDED FOR THIS MODEL INCLUDES OYSTER GROWTH AND SURVIVAL, OYSTER FEEDING EFFICIENCY, AND WATER QUALITY DATA SUCH AS TEMPERATURE, SALINITY, AND CHLOROPHYLL A (AS A MEASURE OF FOOD AVAILABILITY FOR OYSTERS). WE WILL COLLECT THESE DATA FOR THE MODEL IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. CITIZEN SCIENTISTS IN THE OYSTER GARDENING PROGRAM WILL RAISE OYSTERS AND PROVIDE OYSTER GROWTH AND WATER QUALITY (SALINITY, TEMPERATURE) DATA IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR TEAM. OYSTER FEEDING EFFICIENCY WILL BE ASSESSED BY OUR TEAM USING AN IN-SITU FILTER FEEDING TECHNIQUE AT MULTIPLE SITES ALONG THE COAST. THESE DATA WILL BE USED TO DEVELOP A MACHINE LEARNING TOOL THAT WILL CREATE A MODEL TO PREDICT OYSTER GROWTH AND SURVIVAL. THE GOAL IS TO CREATE A TOOL WHEREBY WATER QUALITY AND OTHER PARAMETERS CAN BE ENTERED INTO AN ONLINE FORM, AND AI WILL RANK SITE SUITABILITY FOR OYSTER FARMING. HAVING A TOOL THAT WILL ALLOW SHORT TERM DATA TO BE USED TO ASSESS SITE SUITABILITY FOR OYSTER AQUACULTURE WILL BENEFIT INDUSTRY PARTNERS AS WELL AS STATE AGENCIES TO INFORM PERMITTING AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SEEK TO RESTORE OYSTER POPULATIONS.

SENSING SEDIMENT PROPERTIES WITH SOFT ROBOTIC WORMS

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF VIRAL INFECTIONS ON SULFATE REDUCING MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES -VIRUSES ARE THE MOST ABUNDANT BIOLOGICAL ORGANISMS ON OUR PLANET. WHILE ALL MICROBIAL POPULATIONS ARE IMPACTED BY VIRAL INFECTIONS, LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF VIRAL INFECTIONS ON SPECIFIC MICROBIAL POPULATIONS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF VIRUS?MICROBE INTERACTIONS ON BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES ARE ALSO POORLY UNDERSTOOD. THIS PROJECT FOCUSES ON SULFATE REDUCTION, A KEY PROCESS THAT LINKS THE GLOBAL ELEMENTAL CYCLES OF CARBON AND SULFUR. THE RESEARCH AIMS TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN VIRUSES AND SULFATE REDUCING BACTERIA AND HOW THESE INTERACTIONS CONTRIBUTE TO CARBON CYCLING. THIS PROJECT ALSO SUPPORTS STEM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES AT K-12, UNDERGRADUATE, AND GRADUATE LEVELS. THE TRAINING ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHT RESEARCH ON THE GULF COAST AND HOW THE GULF IS A UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT. IN ADDITION, THE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SULFATE REDUCTION AND OTHER GEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES AND SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANCE OF MICROORGANISMS IN COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS. THE PROJECT AIMS TO CHANGE THE NEGATIVE VIEW OF VIRUSES AS AGENTS OF DISEASES BY HIGHLIGHTING THE ESSENTIAL ROLES OF VIRUSES IN ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES. THE PROJECT USES A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIRAL ACTIVITY AND SEDIMENT MICROBIAL METABOLISM, SPECIFICALLY SULFATE REDUCTION, THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS, PROCESS-ORIENTED BIOGEOCHEMICAL INCUBATIONS AND MODELING. THIS RESEARCH PROVIDES NOVEL INSIGHT INTO THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN VIRUSES AND MICROORGANISMS, AND HOW THEY CONTROL EARLY DIAGENETIC PROCESSES BY (I) DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF VIRUSES ON SEDIMENT METABOLISM IN GENERAL, (II) QUANTIFYING THE INFLUENCE OF VIRUSES ON MICROBIAL SULFATE REDUCTION RATES, (II) ELUCIDATING THE INTERACTIONS OF SULFATE REDUCING MICROORGANISMS AND VIRUSES. THESE RESULTS ARE BEING INCORPORATED INTO A REACTIVE TRANSPORT MODEL TO DESCRIBE VIRAL DYNAMICS AND THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THE C, S, AND FE CYCLES. THE MODEL FORMS A FRAMEWORK TO INTEGRATE THE OBSERVATIONAL DATA AND PROVIDES A TOOL FOR ESTIMATING THE BROADER IMPLICATIONS OF THE TARGETED VIRUS-MICROORGANISM INTERACTIONS QUANTIFIED IN THE SULFATE REDUCTION ZONE. THIS PROJECT IS JOINTLY FUNDED BY THE BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AND CHEMICAL OCEANOGRAPHY PROGRAMS. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

IMPACTS OF INFAUNA ON ACOUSTIC AND GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF SEDIMENTS

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $348,925 FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO DEVELOP A STREAM RESTORATION PLAN RESTORING TWELVE MILE CREEK AND IMPLEMENTING AN INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL PROGRAM FOCUSING ON AQUATIC VEGETATION IN THREE MILE CREEK. THE WORK OF THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE PREPARATION OF THE NECESSARY ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND PERMITTING DOCUMENTS.

REU SITE: RESEARCH EXPERIENCES IN MARINE AND ESTUARINE SCIENCE IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

REU SITE: RESEARCH EXPERIENCES IN MARINE AND ESTUARINE DISTURBANCE ECOLOGY IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO -THE DIVISION OF OCEAN SCIENCES WILL CONTINUE FUNDING FOR A RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) PROGRAM AT THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LABORATORY (DISL) LOCATED ON DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL. THE PROGRAM WILL BRING EIGHT UNDERGRADUATES TO DISL EACH SUMMER FOR THREE YEARS. STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN A 10-WEEK GUIDED RESEARCH PROJECT AND A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE DISL REU PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES IN THE MARINE SCIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM 2-YEAR AND 4-YEAR PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS, WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON STUDENTS FROM THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO COAST (NGOM). THE DISL REU PROGRAM SEEKS TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MARINE AND ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND LIVING RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO RESPOND TO DISTURBANCE. STUDENTS WILL CONDUCT SEMI-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH EXPERIENCES ACROSS DISCIPLINES IN COASTAL ECOLOGY (PLANT, INVERTEBRATE, FISH, MAMMAL), TOXICOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY. STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN SEMINARS, FIELD TRIPS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS, AND A FORMAL POSTER SYMPOSIUM TO DEVELOP CRITICAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. NETWORKING IS ENCOURAGED, AND MENTORS FACILITATE PUBLICATION OF A PEER-REVIEWED PAPER AND PRESENTATIONS AT SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOLLOWING THE INTERNSHIP. BY PROVIDING BASIC RESEARCH SKILLS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT TO UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS, THIS REU WILL INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ENDURING PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCES AMONG THESE STUDENTS AND BUILD CAPACITY FOR THEIR FUTURE SUCCESS IN ANY FIELD. THESE EFFORTS, IN TURN, WILL INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF OCEAN SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS AND ROLE MODELS FOR FUTURE STUDENTS IN STEM. BY TARGETING STUDENTS ALONG THE NGOM COAST, THE PROGRAM ADDITIONALLY SUPPORTS LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES BY ENHANCING THE EDUCATION AND INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL OF THE NEXT GENERATION IN TECHNICAL FIELDS IN THE REGION. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.

ACQUISITION OF A LASER ABLATION INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA MASS SPECTROMETER TO SUPPORT MARINE SCIENCE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF

CREATING RESILIENT OYSTERS (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA) TO ENHANCE AQUACULTURE AND RESTORATION

THE PROJECT WILL INVESTIGATE A NEW HATCHERY TECHNIQUE TO INCREASE OYSTER RESILIENCE, AQUACULTURE YIELDS, AND IMPROVE REMOTE SETTING RESTORATION BY STIMULATING OYSTERS TO GROW STRONGER SHELLS, THEREBY REDUCING THEIR PREDATION RISK AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO STRESSFUL ABIOTIC CONDITIONS LIKE LOW PH. PREVIOUS RESEARCH REVEALED EARLY EXPOSURE TO PREDATOR CUES CAUSED OYSTERS TO PRODUCE THICKER, STRONGER SHELLS, WHICH INCREASED THEIR SURVIVAL. IT IS HYPOTHESIZED THAT EXPOSURE TO PREDATOR CUES WITHIN THE HATCHERY WILL SPEED OYSTER GROWTH, CAUSE THEM TO GROW STRONGER SHELLS THAT HAVE HIGHER SURVIVAL DURING TRANSPORT AND MATURATION IN THE FIELD, AND BE MORE RESISTANT TO PREDATION AND STRESSFUL ABIOTIC CONDITIONS.

SOURCES AND FATE OF SNAPPER (LUTJANIDAE) EARLY LIFE STAGES IN ALABAMA SHELF WATERS: TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL OCCURENCE OF RED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS CAMPECHAN

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: KEYSTONE CHEMICALS: IDENTIFYING GENERAL AND UNIVERSAL MOLECULES OF FEAR

IMPACTS OF INFAUNAL ORGANISMS AND ORGANIC MATTER ON ACOUSTIC WAVE PROPAGATION THROUGH NEAR-SURFACE SEDIMENTS

REU SITE: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES IN COASTAL AND NEARSHORE MARINE SYSTEMS OF THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO

WATERSHED EDUCATION USING BIVALVES

FDA AND MESC/DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB COLLABORATION

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $249,732 TO THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB TO CARRY OUT A COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF HOW VARIOUS MARSH

REU SITE: RESEARCH EXPERIENCES IN MARINE AND ESTUARINE DISTURBANCE ECOLOGY IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO -THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LABORATORY (DISL), WHICH IS LOCATED ON DAUPHIN ISLAND IN ALABAMA, WILL HOST A RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WILL BRING EIGHT UNDERGRADUATES TO DISL EACH SUMMER FOR THREE YEARS. STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN A 10-WEEK GUIDED RESEARCH PROJECT AND A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. THE INTELLECTUAL THEME OF THE DISL REU PROGRAM IS UNDERSTANDING HOW MARINE AND ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND LIVING RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO RESPOND TO DISTURBANCE. UNDER THIS THEME, DISL WILL PROVIDE SEMI-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS. STUDENT RECRUITMENT WILL FOCUS ON UNDERGRADUATES FROM 2-YEAR AND 4-YEAR PRIMARILY UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS, WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON INSTITUTIONS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO COAST (NGOM) REGION. THE DISL REU PROGRAM SEEKS TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW MARINE AND ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND LIVING RESOURCES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO RESPOND TO DISTURBANCE. STUDENTS WILL CONDUCT SEMI-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ACROSS DISCIPLINES IN COASTAL ECOLOGY (PLANT, INVERTEBRATE, FISH, MAMMAL), TOXICOLOGY, MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY. STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN SEMINARS, FIELD TRIPS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS, AND A FORMAL POSTER SYMPOSIUM TO DEVELOP CRITICAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. NETWORKING IS ENCOURAGED, AND MENTORS FACILITATE PUBLICATION OF A PEER-REVIEWED PAPER AND PRESENTATIONS AT SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOLLOWING THE INTERNSHIP. BY PROVIDING BASIC RESEARCH SKILLS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT TO EARLY CAREER UNDERGRADUATES, THIS REU WILL INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ENDURING PARTICIPATION IN SCIENCES AMONG THESE STUDENTS AND BUILD CAPACITY FOR THEIR FUTURE SUCCESS IN ANY FIELD. BY TARGETING STUDENTS ALONG THE NGOM COAST, THE PROGRAM ADDITIONALLY SUPPORTS LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES BY ENHANCING THE EDUCATION AND INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL OF THE NEXT GENERATION IN TECHNICAL FIELDS IN THE REGION. THIS AWARD REFLECTS NSF'S STATUTORY MISSION AND HAS BEEN DEEMED WORTHY OF SUPPORT THROUGH EVALUATION USING THE FOUNDATION'S INTELLECTUAL MERIT AND BROADER IMPACTS REVIEW CRITERIA.- SUBAWARDS ARE NOT PLANNED FOR THIS AWARD.

THIS ACTION PROVIDES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $79 975 FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR THE FIRST LONG-TERM SYSTE

USE OF ELEMENTAL SIGNATURES TO DETECT AND TRACE CONTAMINANT ENTRY TO THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL FOOD WEB: MANAGING MULTIPLE STRESSORS

REU SITE: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCES IN COASTAL AND NEARSHORE MARINE SYSTEMS OF THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO

NURSERY ORIGINS OF ADULT GAG GROUPER, GRAY SNAPPER, & LANE SNAPPER FROM THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO: ONSHORE-OFFSHORE CONNECTIVITY OF REEF FISHES & C

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF RED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS) EGGS ACROSS THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO BASED ON HISTORIC SEAMA

THIS ACTION PROVIDES PARTIAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,925 TO DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB [DISL]. DISL WILL PARTNER WITH MOBILE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARY P

RAPID: RESOLVING HIGHER TROPHIC-LEVEL CHANGE WITHIN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO ECOSYSTEM AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF PICOCYANOBACTERIA IN THE MARINE SILICATE CYCLE

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: THE TROPICALIZATION OF WESTERN ATLANTIC SEAGRASS BEDS

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO: (1) DESIGN AND CONDUCT A STRATEGIC PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN THAT WILL ENCOURAGE GULF STEWARDSHIP AND COASTAL HA

FIELD INSTRUMENTS FOR IN SITU MEASUREMENT OF GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF SEDIMENTS

RII TRACK-4: PEERING INTO NATURE'S GLASS BOXES - USING NANO-RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY TO ANSWER NOVEL QUESTIONS IN DIATOM-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

IMPACTS OF INFAUNAL ORGANISMS ON ACOUSTIC WAVE PROPAGATION THROUGH SEDIMENTS

ADDRESSING DERELICT VESSELS AND HABITAT IMPAIRMENT IN THE DOG RIVER WATERSHED, MOBILE, ALABAMA

THIS STUDY SEEKS TO QUANTIFY RELATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PRODUCERS (I.E. SEAGRASSES, PHYTOPLANKTON, BENTHIC MICROALGAE AND MACROALGAE) TO SYSTEM PRIMAR

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: WHAT CONTROLS THE TRANSFER OF DIATOM ORGANIC MATTER TO AGE-0 POLLOCK PREY IN THE BERING SEA ECOSYSTEM?

SEAGRASS MONITORING-GULF ISLAND

RAPID: HUMAN-DRIVEN TROPHIC CASCADES: MESOPREDATOR RELEASE AND RECREATIONAL FISHING IN ESTUARIES

ESTABLISHING A REGIONALLY COOPERATIVE DOLPHIN STRANDING NETWORK FOR ALABAMA

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: RAPID: EXTREME DISTURBANCES/PERTURBATIONS TO COASTAL DEPOSITION SYSTEMS

TRANSPORT CAPACITY FOR STRANDED MANATEES IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST LONG-TERM WATER QUALITY/METEOROLOGICAL NETWORK FOR THE MOBILE BAY AREA. THE ACTIVITIES PROPO

THE ALABAMA MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING NETWORK (ALMMSN) PROPOSES A COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT TO INVESTIGATE EMERGING PATHOGENS IN STRANDED BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS WHILE ENHANCING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE MAMMAL HEALTH THROUGH TARGETED CAPACITY BUILDING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES MULTIPLE PRIORITIES OF THE JOHN H. PRESCOTT MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM (PRIORITIES #1B, #1C, #3A, #4A, #4B, #6B & #6C) BY COMBINING DIAGNOSTIC ADVANCEMENT, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR MULTIPLE COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THE CRUCIAL LINKS ACROSS ENVIRONMENTAL, MARINE MAMMAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH (THE ONE HEALTH CONCEPT). THE PROJECT WILL SYSTEMATICALLY ANALYZE TISSUE SAMPLES FROM 30 STRANDED BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS ALONG THE ALABAMA COAST FOR THREE PATHOGENS OF CONCERN: BRUCELLA CETI , ERYSIPELOTHRIX RHUSIOPATHIAE , AND CETACEAN MORBILLIVIRUS (CEMV). TWO OF THESE PATHOGENS, B. CETI AND E. RHUSIOPATHIAE , HAVE DOCUMENTED ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL, POSING RISKS TO BOTH MARINE MAMMAL AND HUMAN HEALTH. THE STUDY WILL EXAMINE THESE PATHOGENS' PREVALENCE AND PATHOLOGY IN RELATION TO PATHOGEN STRAINS, CO-INFECTIONS, CAUSE OF DEATH, AND LIFE HISTORY TRAITS, PROVIDING CRUCIAL BASELINE DATA THAT WILL INFORM MARINE CONSERVATION STRATEGIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES IN COASTAL REGIONS. TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, WE WILL ORGANIZE A ONE-DAY ONLINE SYMPOSIUM FOR SOUTHEASTERN STRANDING NETWORK PARTNERS, FEATURING EXPERT SPEAKERS IN CETACEAN HEALTH. THIS EVENT WILL FACILITATE KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE ABOUT EMERGING DISEASES AND THEIR IMPACT ON MARINE MAMMAL POPULATIONS, WHILE SUPPORTING EXISTING COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES LED BY DISL AND ALMMSN IN THE REGION. ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL CONDUCT THREE STRATEGIC COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS ACROSS MOBILE COUNTY, ALABAMA, TARGETING AUDIENCES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE LUPERCALIA ART SOCIETY GALLERY, MOBILE COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL, AND BAYOU LA BATRE COMMUNITY CENTER. THESE EVENTS AIM TO REACH AT LEAST 200 PARTICIPANTS, EDUCATING RELEVANT COMMUNITIES ABOUT MARINE MAMMAL HEALTH, ZOONOTIC DISEASES, AND THE ONE HEALTH CONCEPT THROUGH ENGAGING AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES. CENTRAL TO THIS PROJECT IS A PAID INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR A PROMISING INTERN, PROMOTING PARTICIPATION IN MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE. THE INTERN WILL RECEIVE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING IN LABORATORY TECHNIQUES, DATA ANALYSIS, AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT, INCLUDING MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION FOR PUBLICATION IN A PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL. THE PROJECT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE ALMMSN TEAM AT THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB, LED BY THE THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR AND SUPPORTED BY EXPERIENCED CO-INVESTIGATORS AND COOPERATORS INCLUDING A RESEARCH VETERINARIAN, VETERINARY PATHOLOGISTS, MARINE MAMMAL HEALTH EXPERTS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. THIS INTEGRATED APPROACH TO RESEARCH, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION WILL ADVANCE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE MAMMAL HEALTH WHILE BUILDING CAPACITY FOR FUTURE CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN THE REGION. THROUGH THIS WORK, WE AIM TO ENHANCE DIAGNOSTIC CAPABILITIES FOR STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS, IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF EMERGING DISEASES, STRENGTHEN THE STRANDING RESPONSE NETWORK, AND CREATE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE PROJECT'S OUTCOMES WILL CONTRIBUTE TO BOTH IMMEDIATE PUBLIC HEALTH AND LONG-TERM MARINE MAMMAL CONSERVATION GOALS.

CESU - SEAGRASS MONITORING RECOVERY PROJECT

TO ADD FUNDS.

THIS PROJECT WILL FILL A CRITICAL GAP IN STRANDING RESPONSE COVERAGE FOR MANATEES IN THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S.A. BY FUNDING THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB DISL TO RESPOND TO MANATEE STRANDINGS ON THE MISSISSIPPIALABAMA COAST AND PROVIDE MUTUAL AID TO ADJACENT AREAS TYPICALLY IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND LOUISIANA AS FEASIBLE. THESE AREAS REPRESENT LOCATIONS WHERE MANATEE OCCURRENCE HAS INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS RESCUE CAPACITY REMAINS LOW AND FEW OR NO OTHER GROUPS RESPOND TO OR COLLECT DATA ON MANATEE STRANDINGS. BENEFITS OF THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE ENHANCED CAPABILITY FORA RAPID RESPONSE TO AND VETERINARY ASSESSMENT OF MANATEES IN DISTRESS OR STRANDED B RESCUE PLANNING TO IMPROVE PROGNOSIS FOR LIVE STRANDED MANATEES C RECOVERY AND NECROPSY OF DEAD STRANDED MANATEES D COLLECTING DIAGNOSTIC DATA ON CAUSE OF DEATH AND OVERALL POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS ECOLOGY AND HEALTH E TRAINING OF DISL PERSONNEL AND REGIONAL STRANDING NETWORK PARTNERS AND F PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MANATEES IN THE REGION. COLLECTIVELY THESE OUTCOMES WILL BUILD CAPACITY FOR FUTURE RESPONSE IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO AND PROVIDE VALUABLE DATA TO INFORM ONGOING CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT EFFORTS.

RAPID: SPECIES ON THE MOVE: TROPICALIZATION OF WESTERN ATLANTIC SEAGRASS BEDS

MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING STRANDING RESPONSE FOR MANATEES IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

COLLABORATIVE PROPOSAL: GULF COAST ADVANCE: CROSS INSTITUTIONAL SYNERGY FOR WOMEN SCIENTISTS

RESTORATION OF JUNCUS ROEMERIANUS AS A MEANS TO REDUCE NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION

THIS PROJECT WILL FILL A CRITICAL GAP IN STRANDING RESPONSE COVERAGE FOR MANATEES IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO BY FUNDING BASIC STRANDING RESPONSE BY THE ALABAMA MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING NETWORK ALMMSN , OPERATED OUT OF THE DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB DISL SUPPORT FOR ALMMSN WILL MAINTAIN STRANDING RESPONSE CAPABILITIES INCLUDING A RAPID RESPONSE TO AND VETERINARY ASSESSMENT OF MANATEES IN DISTRESS OR STRANDED, B RESCUE PLANNING TO IMPROVE PROGNOSIS FOR LIVE STRANDED MANATEES IN AN AREA WITH HISTORICALLY LOW RESCUE CAPACITY, C NECROPSY OF DEAD STRANDED MANATEES, AND D COLLECTING VALUABLE DATA ON CAUSE OF DEATH AND OVERALL POPULATION HEALTH THIS PROJECT WILL FUND MANATEE STRANDING RESPONSE IN STATES WHERE NO OTHER GROUPS RESPOND TO OR COLLECT DATA ON STRANDINGS, AND IT WILL ENHANCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALMMSN AND REGIONAL STRANDING NETWORK PARTNERS TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR FUTURE RESPONSE THROUGHOUT THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO REGION

THE GOALS OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO QUANTIFY CARCASS-DISCOVERY RATE (CDR) OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) IN ALABAMA, AN UNDERSTUDIED AREA ALONG THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO COAST, AND TEST THE USE OF UNOCCUPIED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UASS) AS AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE TRADITIONAL MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING SURVEILLANCE. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ARE TO 1) QUANTIFY CDR IN DIFFERENT SEASONS, HABITAT TYPES, AND LEVELS OF HUMAN USE ON DAUPHIN ISLAND, AL TO DETERMINE MULTIPLIERS FOR CALCULATING MORTALITY IN THE STUDY AREA; 2) COMPARE CDR BY THE PUBLIC AND TRAINED STRANDING NETWORK RESPONDERS TO MEASURE THE EFFECT OF FORMAL TRAINING AND TARGETED SEARCH EFFORTS AND EVALUATE THE SUCCESS OF ALMMSN EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS; AND 3) FOR TRAINED STRANDING NETWORK RESPONDERS, COMPARE CARCASS-DETECTION RATES BETWEEN TRADITIONAL (E.G. BY FOOT, ATV, AND BOAT) AND UAS METHODS TO QUANTIFY ANY BENEFITS OF USING THIS EMERGING TECHNOLOGY.

CESU - SEAGRASS MONITORING RECOVERY PROJECT

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSORTIUM TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS IN DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RESTORING OR CONSERVING WATERSHEDS AND IMPROVING WATER AND HABITAT QUALITY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING A NINE KEY ELEMENT WATERSHED-BASED MANAGEMENT PLAN. ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE IMPROVED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE BUILDING OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, IMPROVED UNDERSTANDING OF WATERSHED CONDITIONS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR REDUCING POLLUTANTS ENTERING THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THE GRAND BAY WATERSHED IN ALABAMA AND MISSISSIPPI WILL BENEFIT FROM IMPROVED WATER QUALITY.ACTIVITIES:.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:.

MURI TOWARDS AN INTEGRATIVE UNDERSTANDING OF NEAR-SURFACE SEABED STRUCTURE AND STABILITY IN THE DEEP SEA

ASSESSING RECOVERY OF PROPELLER SCARS AT GULF ISLAND

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: ENGINEERING SALT MARSH RESTORATION TO MAXIMIZE DENITRIFICATION - ELEVATION AND SPECIES INTERACTIONS

AERIAL MAPPING OF MANATEE THERMAL REFUGIA IN ALABAMA WATERS

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SYMPOSIUM ARE TO: 1. IMPROVE THE TIME BETWEEN RESEARCH DISCOVERY AND APPLICATION BY PROVIDING A VENUE FOR SCIENTISTS TO PRESENT

DECADAL SCALE DOCUMENTATION OF ENDANGERED WEST INDIAN MANATEE HABITAT USE IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO WEST OF FLORIDA

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE BENTHIC COUPLING AND MICROALGAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN AS SHALLOW COASTAL LAGOON