Tag Archives: Fish

Videos: The University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) Features RECOVER Research

The UTMSI released a series of four videos discussing research conducted by scientists with the Relationships of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium.

Part 1: Port Aransas and Oil

RECOVER scientist Andrew Esbaugh explains why the area surrounding Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, TX, is ideal to study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Part 2: Gone Fishing – Catching Red Drum for Science

See how scientists catch wild red drum to breed in captivity to answer questions about the way that oil impacts their offspring’s biology and social interactions.

Part 3: Fish Tattoos

Ph.D student Alexis Khursigara is looking at the effects of oil exposure on red drum and if it impacts how fish interact with one another.

Part 4: Fish Treadmills

Researcher Dr. Jacob Johansen is using “fish treadmills” to determine how oil exposure can effect the swim performance of red drum.

Fact Sheets: Deep-C Science and Outreach Fact Sheets

The Deep Sea to Coast Connectivity in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (Deep-C) Consortium released a series of publicly available and easy-to-read fact sheets detailing their scientific research and outreach initiatives:

Science: Deepwater Corals

What are corals? Where and how do they live? What are the threats to Gulf corals? Click here to download.

Science: The SailBuoy Project

Experimenting with a new marine device used for scientific observations in the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to download.

Science: Deepwater Sharks

Information about the bluntnose sixgill shark, one of the most common species in the Gulf. Click here to download.

Science: Tiny Drifters – Plankton

What are plankton? Why are plankton important? How did the oil spill affect Gulf plankton? Click here to download.

Science: Oil-Eating Plankton

Naturally occurring microbes in the ocean feed on the hydrocarbons in oil. Click here to download.

Science: Oil Fingerprinting & Degradation

What is oil? How does oil “weathering” occur? And what can oil samples tell us? Click here to download.

Outreach: Gulf Oil Observers

Deep-C’s citizen scientist initiative connecting high school students to ongoing oil spill research. Click here to download.

Outreach: Scientists in the Schools

Interactive visits to middle school classrooms by Deep-C scientists and educators. Click here to download.

Outreach: 2015 Annual ROV Training & Competition

Students from middle and high schools vying for ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) domination. Click here to download.

Videos: Gary Finch Highlights ECOGIG Research

Gary Finch Outdoors produced a series of videos highlighting various aspects of the Ecosystem Impacts of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf (ECOGIG) program, its science, and the important partnerships necessary to make ECOGIG successful. Many of these videos were used by local PBS affiliates in Gulf coast states and were available through the ECOGIG website and YouTube. All videos listed below were developed and produced by Finch Productions, LLC.

What Does ECOGIG Do? (PBS Part 1) (2:20)

Scientists aboard the research vessels R/V Endeavor and E/V Nautilus briefly describe the nature of ECOGIG research.

Collaboration Between Nautilus and Endeavor Tour (PBS Part 2) (2:06)

ECOGIG scientists discuss the research they are conducting on a recent cruise aboard the R/V Nautilus and E/V Endeavor.

ECOGIG R/V Atlantis/ALVIN Cruise: March 30-April 23, 2014 (2:00)

Researchers describe the crucial importance of ALVIN dives in assessing the ecosystem impacts of the Deepwater Horizon explosion.

Deep Sea Life: Corals, Fish, and Invertebrates (4:30)

Dr. Chuck Fisher describes his research examining the fascinating and long-lived deep sea corals impacted by effects of the Deepwater Horizon explosion.

The Eagle Ray Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) News Piece (5:12)

ECOGIG scientists use the Eagle Ray AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) to map the seafloor and get visuals so they can better target their sample collecting for study. The National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology (NIUST) provides the submersible.

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Food Webs in the Gulf of Mexico (4:30)

ECOGIG scientists Jeff Chanton and Ian MacDonald, both of Florida State University, explain their complementary work exploring the possibility that hydrocarbons from oil have moved into the Gulf food web. Chanton, a chemical oceanographer, tells of a small but statistically significant rise in fossil carbon, a petrochemical byproduct of oil, showing up in marine organisms sampled from Louisiana to Florida. In addition to the hypothesis that Deepwater Horizon oil might be the culprit, biological oceanographer MacDonald discusses other factors that could also be at play, including coastal marsh erosion, natural oil seeps, and chronic oil industry pollution. This is a Finch Productions, LLC video. For more information, visit ECOGIG.ORG. https://ecogig.org/

Landers Technology Development (4:30)

Most of the area around the Deepwater Horizon spill ranges from 900 – 2000 meters below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico. ECOGIG scientists Dr. Chris Martens and Dr. Geoff Wheat talk about Landers, a new technology developed at the University of Mississippi that allows scientists to study the ocean floor at great depths. Landers are platforms custom-equipped with research instruments that can be dropped to the exact site scientists want to study and left for weeks, months, or even years to collect ongoing data.

Marine Snow (4:30)

Dr. Uta Passow describes research she and her colleagues Dr. Arne Dierks and Dr. Vernon Asper conduct on Marine Snow in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil released in 2010 from the Deepwater Horizon explosion floated upwards. Some of this oil then sank towards the seafloor as part of marine snow. When marine snow sinks, it transports microscopic algae and other particles from the sunlit surface ocean to the dark deep ocean, where animals rely on marine snow for food.

Natural Seeps – Geology of the Gulf (4:30)

ECOGIG Scientists Dr. Joe Montoya, Dr. Andreas Teske, Dr. Samantha Joye, and Dr. Ian McDonald describe their collaborative research approach while preparing for the Spring 2014 cruise aboard the R/V Atlantis with research sub ALVIN. Long-term sampling and monitoring of natural oil seeps in the Gulf of Mexico, a global hot spot for these seeps, is crucial for understanding the impacts of oil and gas from explosions like Deepwater Horizon.

Remote Sensing & Modeling (4:30)

ECOGIG scientists Dr. Ian MacDonald and Dr. Ajit Subramaniam describe their work monitoring the health of the Gulf of Mexico via remote sensing. Using images from satellites and small aircraft flown by volunteers, MacDonald looks for signs of surface oil, which could be the result of a natural seep, anthropogenic seeps (chronic oil leaks from ongoing drilling operations), or a larger spill like Deepwater Horizon. Subramaniam uses the changes in light in these images to help him understand what is happening below the sea surface, with particular focus on the health of phytoplankton populations that make up the base of the marine food web. This is a Finch Productions, LLC video with additional footage provided by Wings of Care, a nonprofit that assists with volunteer filming operations.

ROVs in STEM Education News Piece (4:30)

ECOGIG’s Dr. Chuck Fisher describes the use of ROVs in researching deep -sea corals in the Gulf of Mexico, and Ocean Exploration Trust’s Dr. Bob Ballard explains the powerful impacts of ROVs in STEM education, as shown during a recent visit onboard the EV Nautilus by members of the Girls and Boys Club of the Gulf region.

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Videos: One-Minute Views of Mahi Mahi Health Research

RECOVER These short video clips depict the the diverse research methods that researchers use to examine how oil affects ecologically and economically important fish species.

Broodstock Capture (1:34)
This clip takes viewers aboard the University of Miami Rosenstiel School’s Yellowfin boat for a mahi mahi broodstock capture trip in the Florida Straits. All mahi mahi that are captured are brought to the University of Miami Experimental Hatchery. Wild-caught broodstock typically begin spawning regularly after an acclimation period of around two weeks, and their offspring are raised to various life stages (larval, juvenile, adult) for researchers to use in experiments examining how the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected mahi mahi.

Broodstock Transfer (0:51)
This video depicts how RECOVER scientists safely and efficiently move wild-caught mahi mahi from the acclimation tanks to their permanent home in the spawning and maturation tanks. RECOVER scientists’ research requires facilities like the Hatchery that allow them to do this successfully. Once transferred to these tanks, the male and female mahi mahi broodstock begin to spawn regularly.

Creating Oil Dilutions (0:57)
This video provides a behind-the-scenes look into how RECOVER scientists create the oil dilutions used to study the impacts of crude oil on mahi mahi and red drum in the lab. RECOVER scientist Dr. Christina Pasparakis explains that oil dilutions are created in seawater using oil sampled from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, so that their research can parallel conditions present during the spill.

Zebrafish Fluorescence (0:55)
This video features RECOVER researcher Yadong Wang, who exposes zebrafish (a model organism for scientific research) to green and red flourscence proteins. When hit with light, the proteins fluoresce or emit a red and green light from their red blood cells and blood vessels, respectively. RECOVER researchers use this technique to observe vessel development in fish and hope to use this method in the future to study how oil impacts blood vessel formation in mahi mahi and red drum.

Grad Student Schwaab Investigates How Tuna and Billfish Respond to Oil

6710a — Madison Schwaab, a University of South Florida master’s student, stands in front of the gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer holding an almaco jack liver extract. (Provided by Madison Schwaab)

Marine ecosystems provide many valuable resources for humans, including seafood and petroleum. Conservation policies that protect marine ecosystems, especially pollution and petroleum-related policies, depend on accurate scientific data about the ways different marine species experience pollution. Madison Schwaab quantifies levels of toxic oil compounds in the bile and tissues (liver, muscle, and gonad) of fifteen pelagic Gulf of Mexico fish species to better understand how oil affects them compared to other species.

Madison is a master’s student with the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science and a GoMRI Scholar with the Center for the Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Gulf Ecosystems III (C-IMAGE III).

Her Path

Madison spent her childhood catching fish and blue crabs with her father on Chesapeake Bay, where she witnessed firsthand how human activities can negatively affect rivers, bays, and oceans. These experiences piqued her curiosity about quantifying those impacts. As a Temple University undergraduate student, she worked in Dr. Erik Cordes’ deep-sea ecology lab investigating how ocean acidification impacts cold-water coral physiology. She also worked at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center studying the behavioral avoidance of inland silversides in hypoxic and acidified environments. These research experiences showed her how changing conditions can negatively affect marine and estuarine animals.

6710b — University of South Florida master’s student Madison Schwaab holds a yellowfin tuna caught for subsampling and subsequent contaminant analysis. (Provided by Madison Schwaab)

Madison wanted to conduct anthropogenic-related research and started researching graduate programs in Texas and Florida, where she knew there was ongoing oil spill research. The oil spill research conducted in Dr. Steve Murawski’s Population and Marine Ecosystem Dynamics Lab at the University of South Florida intrigued her, and she reached out to him before applying for a graduate research position there. He invited her to visit during a recruitment weekend, and she immediately clicked with the lab and the university. She joined the group as a master’s student conducting GoMRI-funded research quantifying petrogenic and pyrogenic contaminant concentrations in pelagic fish.

Her Work

Madison sampled fifteen pelagic tuna and billfish species collected as by-catch during benthic research cruises (2011 – 2017) and main catch during a pelagic cruise (2018). Because the collection includes different time points and regions, she compared differences in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations between these pelagic species and across different regional, spatial, and temporal scenarios. She also used data compiled by her fellow C-IMAGE researchers to compare PAH concentrations in the pelagic species with species living in other ocean habitats.

6710c — (L-R) C-IMAGE Assistant Director Sherryl Gilbert, master’s student Brigid Carr, Ph.D. student Susan Snyder, Principal Investigator Dr. Steve Murawski, researcher Dr. Erin Pulster, and master’s student Madison Schwaab attend the opening of the University of South Florida’s Marine Environmental Chemistry Laboratory in November 2018. (Photo credit: Sean Beckwith)

Madison analyzed fish bile using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to semi-quantitatively measure PAH equivalent concentrations (parent compounds plus metabolites) of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and benzo[a]pyrene, which indicates short-term (hours to days) PAH exposure. She also prepared liver, muscle, and gonad tissue samples using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction process and applies gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS) to assess concentrations of nineteen PAHs (including 16 considered priority pollutants by the EPA) and their alkylated homologues in fish tissue, which indicates long-term (months) PAH exposure.

Only eight of the fifteen pelagic fish examined yielded enough usable data to draw conclusions. Although Madison is still interpreting her data, her early results suggest that there are higher PAH equivalent concentrations in yellowfin tuna bile than the other seven fish species. These levels were similar to concentrations observed in the benthic golden tilefish, which are considered the highest known PAH equivalent concentrations in the Gulf of Mexico. These preliminary findings represent one of the first indications that pelagic fish species can be significantly affected by PAHs deposited into the Gulf of Mexico.

“Finding similar PAH equivalent concentrations in yellowfin tuna and the golden tilefish was unexpected, because the golden tilefish is a burrowing fish and is strongly linked to sediments, where about 21% of Deepwater Horizon hydrocarbons likely settled,” she explained. “Finding significant short-term PAH concentrations in yellowfin tuna several years later suggests that they are possibly being impacted by contamination sources other than Deepwater Horizon, such as the Mississippi River and the on-going natural oil seeps or small oil spills that frequently occur in the Gulf.”

Her Learning

Madison’s GoMRI work was her first experience conducting toxicology research. Her lab mates, especially Dr. Erin Pulster, taught her a great deal about common toxicological methods and operation of analytical instruments. While her lab work focused on the finer details, she experienced the larger implications of her research through field work. “Catching target pelagic species for our oil spill research just meters away from oil rigs highlighted the connection between my research and the bigger picture,” she said. Attending the annual Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science conference helped her learn from oil spill researchers in other fields and further connect her own findings to the entire ecosystem. “Being part of GoMRI allowed me to gain a holistic perspective on Deepwater Horizon’s short- and long-term impacts on Gulf ecosystems and surrounding communities.”

Madison has an increased appreciation for transferable scientific skills, such as statistics and programming, and for opportunities that improve scientific writing and communication. She hopes to find a career where she can use her background and experiences to synthesize scientific findings and inform practices and policies that protect vulnerable ecosystems from pollution and oil contamination.

Praise for Madison

Dr. Murawski explained that Madison’s Deepwater Horizon research has equipped her with broadened skills sets for investigating key contemporary threats to marine ecosystems, especially related to chemical pollution resulting from acute oil spills. “Her work on pollution levels in large pelagic fishes of the Gulf has opened up new venues of research and provided important new insights into how the Gulf of Mexico functions,” he said. “She has a bright future in marine science and policy, wherever her career takes her.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Madison Schwaab and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the C-IMAGE website to learn more about their work.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.

© Copyright 2010-2020 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

Grad Student Slayden Knows Age Is More Than a Number for Oil-Exposed Deep-Sea Fishes

6671a — Nova Southeastern University master’s student Natalie Slayden holds a common fangtooth (Anoplogaster cornuta) that was collected during the DEEPEND consortium DP06 research cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo by Nina Pruzinsky)

The ocean’s deep-pelagic ecosystem is the largest and least understood habitat on Earth. In the Gulf of Mexico, it was the largest ecosystem affected by the Deepwater Horizon incident. Because there was very limited pre-spill data about deep-pelagic organisms’ biodiversity, abundance, and distribution, it is difficult to determine how oiling may have affected different deep-sea species.

Information about the longevity and age at reproduction of key Gulf of Mexico deep-sea fauna, such as lanternfish or fangtooths, is crucial to determine their vulnerability and resilience to disturbances such as oil spills. However, the depths at which these organisms live and the challenges involved with raising them in captivity or tagging them in the wild make collecting this data difficult.

Natalie Slayden uses ear stones, called otoliths, collected from fish living in Deepwater Horizon-affected waters to study the age and growth of nine Gulf of Mexico deep-sea fish species. Her research can be used to estimate the lifespan and age at which these deep-sea fishes reproduce to determine how quickly a potentially compromised assemblage might be replaced following an environmental disturbance.

Natalie is a master’s student with Nova Southeastern University’s Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences and a GoMRI Scholar with the Deep-Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf of Mexico (DEEPEND) Consortium.

Her Path

6671b — Nova Southeastern University master’s student Natalie Slayden uses a mechanical pencil tip to illustrate the small size of an otolith collected from a lanternfish (Nannobrachium lineatum). (Photo by Natalie Slayden)

Natalie developed an appreciation for marine environments at an early age. Growing up near the Appomattox River in Virginia, she spent her childhood swimming and using kite string and doughballs to fish for catfish on her grandparents’ houseboat. Her family often traveled to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where they spent their days searching for fish, blue crabs, and hermit crabs in tide pools formed during high tides. These formative experiences inspired Natalie to pursue a biology undergraduate degree with a marine biology concentration at Old Dominion University. During that time, she participated in several research projects, including a Belize study abroad program researching coral reef ecology, a Cayman Islands internship researching lionfish diets, and a project with Dr. Mark Butler’s marine ecology lab investigating how climate change could affect the transmission of the Caribbean spiny lobster disease, PaV1 (Panulirus argus Virus 1).

When Natalie began her marine biology master’s studies at Nova Southeastern University, she volunteered in various labs searching for projects that included meaningful research. One of her volunteer experiences was with Dr. Tracey Sutton’s Oceanic Ecology Lab, and the numerous deep-sea questions and research focuses intrigued her. She joined his lab as a graduate student working on his GoMRI project investigating deep-sea fish’s resiliency to disturbances such as oil spills. “Deep-sea research appealed to me because of how rewarding it can be,” said Natalie. “While I’m currently studying the age and growth of Gulf of Mexico deep-sea fishes, there will always be an avenue for research [related to the deep sea].”

Her Work

6671c — Nova Southeastern University master’s student Natalie Slayden counts otolith rings using a microscope-mounted camera. (Photo by Nina Pruzinsky)

Otoliths, located in the fish’s cranium, assist with hearing and balance and provide a natural, chemical tracer representing an organism’s lifetime record of environmental exposures. Because the otoliths Natalie works with are as small as a grain of sand, she removes them using fine tools and photographs and measures them using a microscope-mounted camera. She then grinds and polishes the otoliths to reveal rings that can help her determine the fish’s age, similar to tree rings. She estimates each specimen’s age as a range based on the unit (days, years, etc.) that the rings likely represent for each species. “The otolith rings can mean different things for each fish and could be counted as days, years, or even represent feeding events or different life stages,” explained Natalie. “So far, it seems that the rings in most of the species I am studying may represent different life events and feeding.”

When interpreting a fish’s age using life events, Natalie measures the fish’s length and compares it to the length at which larval fish swim to depth. Then, she looks for evidence that indicates this event in the otoliths (typically seen as a change in the rings’ darkness or width). She also looks for evidence of life events such as undergoing a transformation or, if a fish is a hermaphrodite, a change in sex. When interpreting the otoliths for feeding events, dark rings can represent starvation while lighter rings indicate a food event or digestion. However, interpreting a fish’s age based on feeding varies between species. For example, lanternfish migrate to the surface each night to feed and acquire daily rings that represent both one day and a meal. Fishes that feed less frequently are more complicated to age, and Natalie depends on existing data about their feeding habits to estimate age.

6671d — Using a microscope, researchers can analyze rings in fish otoliths (pictured) to get historical information related to an organism’s age, life events, and environmental disturbances, similar to interpreting a tree’s history using tree rings. (Photo by Natalie Slayden)

The data that Natalie has collected on fish age can help estimate the average lifespans of different deep-sea species, which helps her interpret their resilience to disturbances. Species who more quickly repopulate due to their short life spans may also more quickly rebound from environmental disturbances like oil exposure. The data on fish age and lifespan from Natalie’s research will become input parameters for models that estimate how long their recovery from disturbances may take. “In an environment disturbed by an oil spill, fish populations with individuals that have a shorter lifespan would likely recover the fastest,” said Natalie. “If we know how old these oil-exposed fish are using the data recorded in their otoliths, it can help us understand how long the oil may have effects on populations.”

Her Learning

Natalie named DEEPEND’s DP06 research cruise in 2018 as her most rewarding experience participating in GoMRI research and recalled her excitement at seeing deep-sea organisms first-hand as they came out of trawling nets. She felt fortunate to work alongside scientists from diverse fields and learn new skills from other researchers, especially a team that often discovers new organisms. “The researchers were nice, welcoming, and fun to be around, and the crew was just as excited about our research as we were,” she said. “The cruise taught me the importance of comradery and simply being good to one another.”

6671e — Nova Southeastern University master’s students Nina Pruzinsky (left) and Natalie Slayden (right) process samples collected from a deep-sea trawl during the DEEPEND Consortium DP06 research cruise. (Provided by DEEPEND)

Natalie presented her research at the 2019 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science conference and plans to present an updated talk at this year’s event. “I am incredibly thankful to be a member of the GoMRI science community,” she said. “It is an honor to be able to work alongside and learn from scientists who are at the top of their fields.”

Natalie is confident that the skills she learned working in Dr. Sutton’s lab will help her transition to the workforce. She also believes that gaining diverse skills and having a multidisciplinary background will expand her future options and plans to take additional course work in cyber security and computer programming after graduating. “It’s ok to be unsure of what exactly you want to do and to change the subject matter of your work,” she said. “I went from studying Caribbean Spiny lobsters to studying deep-sea fishes living a mile below the surface. There is no limit!”

Praise for Natalie

Dr. Sutton explained that Natalie represents everything that his lab and the GoMRI program promotes, especially scholarship, leadership, and character. He described her as being scientifically fearless, attacking the research with gusto. “She learned the intricacies of ageing fishes, then applied them to a group of fishes who are not only quite technically difficult (having small, aberrant otoliths) but also quite difficult to interpret, as they live below the daily signals of sunlight,” he said.

Dr. Sutton also praised Natalie’s leadership skills when she leads the lab’s daily operations and, by extension, the efforts of numerous DEEPEND research projects. He explained that she handles all things with grace and generosity and takes requests with a smile. “The word with Natalie is trust – when she handles a task, you know it will be done well and on time,” said Dr. Sutton. “She speaks softly and slowly but thinks quickly, creating a joyful, positive vibe in the lab for which I am extremely grateful.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Natalie Slayden and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the DEEPEND website to learn more about their work.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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Video: RECOVER Mini Mahi Tags Series

This three-part video series features the new and innovative satellite tagging research that scientists are conducting on captive mahi-mahi to research how the larger pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) affect mahi-mahi swim performance and behavior. Wildlife Computers, who developed the PSAT tags, designed a scaled-down, non-data collecting “mini” tag specifically for the Relationships of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium’s research.

This experiment and the data produced is beneficial for interpreting data collected during the MAHI cruise, a 17-day Gulf of Mexico research cruise in June 2019. During the cruise, 50 wild-caught mahi-mahi were tagged with PSAT and exposed to control (seawater) and experimental (oil-exposed seawater) recovery tanks before being released back into the Gulf of Mexico.

This series is comprised of three short parts:

Part One: Mini Mahi Tags introduces master’s student C.J. McGuigan, whose hatchery research assesses the behavioral changes and metabolism of captive mahi carrying the satellite tags.
Part Two: Tunnels and Tags highlights how RECOVER uses the mini PSAT to asses the metabolic cost of carrying a PSAT tag through swim chamber respirometry.
Part Three: Behavior and Tags highlights the behavioral impacts of satellite tags on captive mahi-mahi through video analysis captured using a GoPro camera affixed to the top of a large research tank.

Grad Student Woodyard Assesses Vulnerability of Hundreds of Fish Species to Oil Exposure

6662a — Arizona State University Ph.D. student Megan Woodyard (right) and Dr. Beth Polidoro (left) attend an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) workshop in Veracruz, Mexico. (Provided by Megan Woodyard)

Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, resource managers recognized the need for species-specific fish risk assessments to help identify which organisms and habitats would be most affected. However, because many marine species lack toxicological data needed for such assessments, researchers suggested an alternate way to help prioritize species with potentially higher sensitivity or risk to petrochemicals (chemicals in petroleum): a vulnerability index that ranks each species’ relative sensitivity or resilience using species-specific life history traits in combination with the likelihood of petrochemical exposure and any known toxicological responses.

Megan Woodyard is helping develop this petrochemical vulnerability index for more than 2,000 Gulf of Mexico marine species to support improved decision-making for marine resource management, mitigation, restoration, and recovery in United States, Mexican, and Cuban waters.

Megan is a masters’ student with Arizona State University’s College of Integrative Sciences and Arts and a GoMRI Scholar with the project A Comprehensive Petrochemical Vulnerability Index for Improved Decision-Making and Marine Biodiversity Risk Assessment in the Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem.

Her Path

Megan completed three undergraduate degrees (statistics, English, and history) at Arizona State University (ASU) as an honors college student, participating in faculty projects and completing a thesis on a statistical technique called random forest that classifies data using decision trees. Megan’s undergraduate mentor, Dr. Jennifer Broatch, suggested that Dr. Beth Polidoro’s research classifying species’ trait data for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species would align well with Megan’s thesis focus. After Megan successfully designed a random forest code to identify key traits associated with species’ Red List status, Dr. Polidoro offered her a graduate position on her GoMRI research team, which is developing a petrochemical vulnerability index for Gulf of Mexico marine species. Megan is co-advised by Dr. Polidoro and Dr. Steven Saul, who leads the statistical analysis aspects of their research.

Her Work

6662b — (L-R) Master’s student Christi Linardich (Old Dominion University), Ph.D. student Kyle Strongin (Arizona State University, ASU), Dr. Beth Polidoro (ASU), and master’s student Megan Woodyard (ASU) attend the 2019 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Provided by Beth Polidoro)

Megan’s team developed a theoretical framework for the overall vulnerability index that will estimate each marine species’ vulnerability to petroleum chemicals based on their likelihood of exposure, relative sensitivity, and population resilience. Before the index can be applied, the team must compile the relevant data for over 2,000 marine species into a dataset that the index can use. Megan gathered available life history and other data for 1,600 Gulf of Mexico fish species from the IUCN’s Species Information Service, FishBase, academic literature, and other databases. She formatted the data and coded it for different key phrases and consistency across the dataset. “When you pull data from multiple sources, it can be phrased in all sorts of ways,” she explained. “Using the category of ‘diet’ as an example, these programs can search for key phrases about feeding preferences like ‘invertebrates’ or ‘fish’ and flag the species for that diet. This way, I can easily analyze and rank species efficiently and consistently from massive chunks of text.”

Megan is writing rules for the framework index to rank vulnerability based on the compiled data. To do this, the framework will need to classify available data using a numerical, weighted hierarchy that is summed to assign a vulnerability number for each species. Then, Megan can use the framework ranking methodology and results to develop predictions of how petrochemical exposure may impact marine species differently. She will also use the index to identify major knowledge gaps in species’ life history and other data.

Megan’s work, and her colleagues’ work on the more than 400 non-fish species datasets, will provide comprehensive petrochemical vulnerability rankings for over 2,000 Gulf of Mexico species as well as data on each species’ extinction risk and updated spatial distributions. “It’s critical that we develop methodologies to predict how petrochemical exposure will affect Earth’s species,” said Megan. “I hope to create a comprehensive petrochemical vulnerability index of fish species that can help us better understand oil spill impacts and more accurately target areas of concern during future disasters.”

Her Learning

Megan is thankful for the opportunities through GoMRI to work alongside scientists who inspire her, “Through GoMRI, I feel that I’m contributing to something important rather than simply conducting research for the sake of conducting research.” While attending a Red List workshop in Mexico, she watched as Dr. Polidoro and Ph.D. student Kyle Strongin competed to see who could name the most fish species in a tank without using the posted information placards. “A lot of fish species look very similar, but they could even nail the scientific names,” said Megan. “In that moment, I realized that my GoMRI and IUCN research had helped me become a part of this amazing group of scientists with incredible levels of focus, drive, and knowledge. I’m still learning, and I have never felt judged negatively for that. I can ask for help or advice from any member of the community, and they will take time out of their unbelievably busy schedules without complaint or expecting anything in return, just for the sake of science.”

Megan explained that, while the sciences can be intimidating, she has found that even experienced scientists struggle with and adjust their methods to overcome failures. “It may feel like there is an expectation that you will determine one single, exact answer to a question, but I’ve found that we often have to make situational judgement calls, since we are still trying to make our way toward those answers. There are so many ways to approach problems,” she said. Megan is applying to Ph.D. programs at ASU’s School of Sustainability, the first comprehensive degree-granting program in the United States that focuses on solutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges.

Praise for Megan

Dr. Polidoro praised Megan’s progress synthesizing and coding an enormous amount of data for over 1,600 fish species to complete their vulnerability rankings. She joked that she and Megan often briefly derail their research discussions to bond over their pet snakes, exchanging stories about their ball pythons, Peanut Butter and Steve, before jumping back into the science.

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Megan Woodyard and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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© Copyright 2010-20120 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

Grad Student Bonatesta Examines How Oil Exposure Affects Fish Kidneys

6633a — University of North Texas Ph.D. student Fabrizio Bonatesta prepares a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plate to asses transcriptional changes in zebrafish kidney development. (Photo credit: Ed Mager)

Following Deepwater Horizon, there was concern about how the oil spill might affect marine life. Since then, scientists have learned more about how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) affect marine organisms, especially commercially and recreationally important fisheries. For example, they found that that exposure to PAHs during a fish’s early life stages (embryo and larvae) can induce sublethal impacts, such as reduced cardiac function, that affect the organism’s overall fitness and health.

Fabrizio Bonatesta is contributing to this research by conducting genetic analyses on oil-exposed zebrafish embryos to assess effects on kidney development and function. “Although a freshwater fish, the zebrafish represents an excellent model for this study because the normal development of the zebrafish kidney is well-characterized,” Fabrizio explained. “We plan to follow-up with similar studies on ecologically and economically relevant species native to the Gulf of Mexico coast, such as red drum.”

Fabrizio is a Ph.D. student with the University of North Texas’s Department of Biological Sciences and a GoMRI Scholar with Relationship of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in Fish for Validation of Ecological Risk II (RECOVER II).

His Path

6633b — University of North Texas Ph.D. student Fabrizio Bonatesta. (Photo credit: RECOVER)

Fabrizio grew up in Brindisi, Italy, a small port town where he often spent his free time scuba diving, snorkeling, and enjoying the natural beauty of the beach. Due to its strategic location on the Italian Peninsula and Adriatic Sea, Brindisi is now a popular location for industrial businesses, including chemical and petroleum industries. Despite the economic swell, the influx of these businesses has affected the area’s coastal environment and its residents. “Over the years, I’ve witnessed multiple beached marine mammals and marine fauna degradation possibly related to anthropogenic impacts on the Adriatic Sea ecosystem,” Fabrizio said. “These damages to the marine habitat I hold so close to my heart motivated me to improve my understanding of the circumstances harming the Brindisi coast.”

Fabrizio completed dual undergraduate degrees in biology and marine science at the University of Miami, where he developed a strong foundation in aquatic toxicology and a broad understanding of marine ecosystems. As he anticipated graduate studies, Fabrizio toured the university’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and chatted briefly with Dr. Edward Mager, who was an assistant researcher at the time. Later, when Fabrizio applied to graduate school, he learned that Dr. Mager was now at the University of North Texas and assembling his lab team. Fabrizio reached out and was surprised that Dr. Mager remembered their brief conversation, which led to Fabrizio joining Dr. Mager’s team as his first graduate student and pursuing an environmental science degree with a toxicology focus. “I feel that achieving this degree will allow me to maximize the contributions I can make to preserve the aquatic environment,” said Fabrizio. “If I can better understand the impact that toxicants are having on the environment, I will be able to help develop solutions to improve the quality of aquatic life in Brindisi and other regions.”

His Work

6633c — University of North Texas Ph.D. student Fabrizio Bonatesta operates a microinjector that injects fish larvae with a fluorescence solution so he can measure kidney clearance capacity. (Photo credit: Ed Mager)

Fabrizio conducts transcriptomics studies using early life stage zebrafish, which previous research showed that exposure to Deepwater Horizon oil may alter or impede transcription related to kidney health. Transcription, the important first step of DNA gene expression, occurs when a DNA segment is copied into RNA and encodes at least one gene. “The kidney is an osmoregulatory and excretory organ found in vertebrates, including fish, that controls the internal solute concentration and helps excrete waste products,” said Fabrizio. “Due to its vital physiological functions, any potential negative outcome to the kidney’s development and functions could have adverse impacts on the organism potentially leading to mortality.”

Fabrizio exposes zebrafish embryos to a water-crude oil mixture (at concentrations similar to those observed during Deepwater Horizon), isolates their RNA, and quantifies differences in gene expression using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) compared to controls. So far, he and his colleagues have analyzed 15 target genes (3 genes selected based on previous mahi transcriptomic results and 12 hypothesis-driven genes), including their various transcription factors, signaling proteins, and structural and functional proteins involved in kidney development.

6633d — Using immunohistochemistry fluorescence techniques at the University of North Texas laboratory, Ph.D. student Fabrizio Bonatesta observes kidney structure in a zebrafish larva. (Photo credit: Fabrizio Bonatesta)

Although Fabrizio is still analyzing the collected data, he observed that exposed zebrafish embryos exhibited significant changes in transcription factors and structural and functional proteins compared to controls. The transcription factors tended to exhibit decreased mRNA expression, while functional and structural proteins related to kidney development tended to exhibit increased mRNA expression.

Fabrizio is also using immunohistochemistry techniques to examine zebrafish kidney morphology. Using an antibody against sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (a transporter enzyme highly expressed in the kidney), he generates florescent staining within the kidneys. Then, he examines the kidney’s structure using a fluorescence microscope to see if there are morphological defects, which could suggest possible direct or indirect impacts from oil exposure.

The next phase of Fabrizio’s research will examine how changing salinity concurrent with oil exposure affects kidney function by subjecting oil-exposed fish to salinity transfer challenges (exposure to abrupt salinity changes). “The Gulf of Mexico coast is characterized by estuaries and brackish waters, where the salt concentration frequently fluctuates,” he said. “These changes might represent a stress to the fishes inhabiting these waters. If it is not compensated for, the salinity stress may interfere with the organism’s physiological homeostasis and various biological processes, which could be lethal to some.”

His Learning

6633e — A group photo of University of North Texas scientists involved in RECOVER consortium research. (L-R) Ph.D. student Fabrizio Bonatesta, Dr. Jason Magnuson, Dr. Dane Crossley, Dr. Aaron Roberts, Dr. Ed Mager, Dr. Kristin Bridges, and Ph.D. student Derek Nelson. (Photo credit: RECOVER)

Working with Dr. Mager taught Fabrizio that scientific research requires a meticulous approach and the ability to troubleshoot problems as they arise. Dr. Mager’s work ethic and enthusiasm for their research greatly strengthened Fabrizio’s dedication to his own research goals. “It is my duty as a scientist to review previous research papers and study their methods to improve my own [methods],” said Fabrizio. “I enjoy the process of uncovering new information and bonding with my peers over the review process.”

Fabrizio said that GoMRI gives scientists who are interested in researching the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem an opportunity to collaborate. “Being able to connect and share our findings is crucial in the scientific world,” he said. “The cooperation of all the people involved with GoMRI research can provide important insights to prevent future spills and restore the environment.”

Fabrizio would like to work with a private company in the United States before returning to Italy. Eventually, he hopes to apply his education towards creating an Italian organization of scientists from a broad range of fields. He envisions that the organization would help define environmental problems, inform public discussion surrounding those issues, and support solutions improving environmental conditions and related affects on human health.

Praise for Fabrizio

Dr. Mager describes Fabrizio as a quick-learner and a dedicated worker whose independence exceeds that of other students at similar stages in their research. “Fabrizio is very professional, considerate, insightful, and a true team-player. It is a pleasure to have him in my lab,” he said. “I believe he is a very promising young environmental scientist, and I look forward to helping him progress through his Ph.D. and observe his career beyond.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Fabrizio Bonatesta and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the RECOVER website to learn more about their work.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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© Copyright 2010-2019 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

How Grad Student Lu Uses Statistics to Monitor Reef Fish Populations

6580a — Xuetao Lu (R) and his advisor Dr. Steven Saul, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts at Arizona State University (Polytechnic Campus) discuss his statistical research progress on the spatial analysis of Gulf of Mexico reef fish. (Provided by Xuetao Lu)

Authorities closed large portions of the Gulf of Mexico following Deepwater Horizon to minimize oil contamination of fish and seafood products. Changes in commercial and recreational fisher behavior during the closure may have caused biases in the 2010 fisheries data used to assess fish populations and establish annual quotas and catch limits.

Xuetao Lu is developing a novel modeling approach that uses statistics and computer science techniques to predict the spatial distribution of fish species. His work is part of a larger effort to expand an existing West Florida Shelf simulation model to include more fish species and fishing fleets and increase its simulated range across the Gulf. The expanded model will help researchers predict the spatial patterns of fleets and marine species under various scenarios, including oil spill events.

Xuetao is a Ph.D. student with the Arizona State University Tempe’s Statistics program and a GoMRI Scholar with the project Avoiding Surprises: Understanding the Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the Decision-Making Behaviors of Fishers and How This Affects the Assessment and Management of Commercially Important Fish Species in the Gulf of Mexico Using an Agent-Based Model.

His Path

6580b — Xuetao Lu presents his statistical methods for the spatial analysis of Gulf of Mexico reef fish abundance at the 2018 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Provided by Xuetao Lu)

Xuetao’s favorite pastime as a teenager was playing maze games, searching for the best route as well as the correct one. While working towards his systems engineering undergraduate degree at the National University of Defense Technology in China, he realized that his fascination with mazes stemmed from a passion for understanding complex systems. “I’m fascinated by the beauty of statistics, which is the origin of many methodologies for working with complex systems,” he said. “My strong sense of curiosity led me to pursue a doctoral degree in statistics.”

Later, Xuetao was searching for graduate research opportunities, and a friend recommended that he look into Dr. Steven Saul’s research investigating quantitative approaches to Gulf of Mexico natural resource management. The team’s focus on how fisheries closures and oil pollution may have affected resource management following Deepwater Horizon excited Xuetao and made him eager to see his statistical research inform policy development and resource management decision-making. He applied for a doctoral research position in Dr. Saul’s lab and joined his team in 2017.

His Work

6580c — A flyer describes Xuetao Lu’s presentation at the Science and Mathematics Colloquium Series, Arizona State University College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. (Provided by Xuetao Lu)

Xuetao’s ultimate goal is to develop spatial distributions of fish abundance by species, which the team will use in their model simulations of fish abundance and biomass locations. His approach utilizes bottom longline survey data (for deep water species) and video survey data (for shallow water species) collected by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS conducts independent video surveys each year to measure fish abundance; however, low detection rates generate data that is zero inflated, meaning that zero or near-zero fish appear in each sample. As a result, it is difficult for researchers calculating spatial distribution to utilize this valuable data.

Xuetao addressed this challenge by developing statistical models based on empirical maximum likelihood analysis, a technique that estimates how many fish live in an area despite low detection rates. Then, he developed a random smoothing method that uses variance and credibility factors to identify and eliminate uncertainty within the data and generate high-quality data without high uncertainty. The random smoothing method also converted the maximum estimate number of fish into the maximum estimate density of fish, which researchers can use to determine spatial distribution.

Xuetao combined the improved data with habitat information (such as depth, sediment type, or rugosity) gathered from oil company surveys so that his model could determine how different habitat features affect fish’s spatial distribution and how this relationship can predict spatial distribution in unsampled areas. The model utilized and integrated the results of thirty-three machine learning models designed to handle non-linear problems such as the relationship between habitat and spatial distribution. Finally, Xuetao ran his results through a hierarchical Bayesian model combined with the Gaussian process to correct a prediction bias that did not account for pollution and overfishing.

Comparing traditional linear model results and non-linear model predictions, Xuetao found that his non-linear model provided a more accurate and reasonable ecological overview and offered higher-resolution patterns than traditional linear predictions. His next step is to expand his non-linear model to analyze spatial distribution over time, which will help researchers track long-term distribution changes.

His Learning

Xuetao views Dr. Saul as a role model and mentor who taught him important research techniques to break down complex systems, including asking simple but meaningful questions. “Most importantly, Dr. Saul taught me how to improve my communication skills, how to collaborate with others, and how to build up my own networking,” he said. He applied these communication skills at the 2018 and 2019 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science conferences, where he presented his research. “I appreciate these opportunities to engage and communicate with scientists from the GoMRI science community,” he said. “The most exciting moments were when I got feedback and suggestions from other experienced researchers. The peer recognition inspired and encouraged me to keep walking forward.”

His Future

Xuetao looks forward to using his statistics background in a wide range of scientific and technological applications, especially as a university postdoc or faculty member. “As celebrated mathematician and statistician John W. Tukey said, the best thing about being a statistician is getting to play in everyone’s backyard. That makes being a statistician so much fun!” said Xuetao. “My advice? Interest is the best teacher. Find the field that you are most interested in – the sooner the better!”

Praise for Xuetao

Dr. Saul praised Xuetao’s hardworking personality and ability to work independently or in a group. He highlighted Xuetao’s communication skills, particularly his clear delivery and ability to distill complex information to an understandable level for various audiences and his intelligent and creative approaches to the team’s research. “Xuetao is able to independently distill a difficult quantitative problem down into its components and creatively apply statistical theory to solve the problem,” said Dr. Saul. “His innovative contributions and deep knowledge of mathematical and statistical theory play a critical role in the success of our project.” He emphasized that Xuetao’s methodologies represent important contributions toward a novel approach for understanding and computing the spatiotemporal abundance of living marine resources. “Xuetao is an emerging early career mathematician and statistician, who will be successful in whichever endeavor he pursues. I very much look forward to continued collaborations with him,” concluded Dr. Saul.

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Xuetao Lu and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the [consortia website] to learn more about their work.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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Grad Student Pruzinsky Uses Morphological Patterns to ID Young Tuna for Population Assessments

6570a — Nina Pruzinsky holds a juvenile little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) that she identified on the DEEPEND DP06 cruise. (Photo by Natalie Slayden)

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill overlapped with the spawning activities of many ecologically and economically important tuna species. However, the significant knowledge gap regarding early life stage tuna taxonomy and distribution makes it difficult to understand how the spill may have affected them.

As a graduate student, Nina Pruzinsky examined the abundance, distribution, and morphological characteristics of larval and juvenile tunas (Scombridae) and identified primary drivers of their distribution to help fill this gap and inform future management and conservation efforts.

Nina, who recently completed her graduate studies, was a master’s student in Nova Southeastern University’s Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences and a GoMRI Scholar with the Deep-Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf of Mexico (DEEPEND) Consortium.

Her Path

6570b — (L-R) Dr. Isabel Romero, Nina Pruzinsky, and Natalie Slayden sort samples from a DEEPEND DP06 cruise aboard the R/V Point Sur. (Photo by Heather Judkins)

Nina discovered her interest in environmental research during high school class trips to Virginia and Jamaica. She and her classmates surveyed diverse environments, such marshes and coral reefs, and learned about the marine and terrestrial organisms living in them. These hands-on experiences along with a freshman ocean science class at the University of Delaware prompted her to pursue an environmental science degree. As an undergraduate student, she studied in the Cayman Islands, obtained an AAUS Scientific Diver certification, and interned in Dr. Mark Warner’s Algal Physiology Research Laboratory, where she studied coral symbiotic dinoflagellates. However, Nina realized that she was most interested in researching poorly studied fish taxa.

After reading several of Dr. Tracey Sutton’s deep-sea research articles, Nina applied for an open graduate research position at his Nova Southeastern University Oceanic Ecology Lab. When she began working with Sutton, he was leading the DEEPEND Consortium, which had just begun their work assessing how the Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have damaged the Gulf of Mexico’s little-explored deep-sea ecosystems. “My personal goal is to provide information that can help maintain and assess populations and ecosystems,” said Nina. “Seeing how DEEPEND was designed for new discoveries and assessing the oil-damaged water column drove my decision to work with Dr. Sutton.”

Her Work

6570c — Nina Pruzinsky prepares elongated bristlemouth (Sigmops elongatus) specimens for tissue sampling at sea. (Photo by Natalie Slayden)

Juvenile tunas are particularly difficult to identify to the species level (there are 15 tuna species worldwide). Although larval tunas are well-described, juveniles grow out of many diagnostic larval characteristics but have not yet developed the adult features needed for identification. Nina examined the morphological characteristics of over 900 larval and juvenile tuna (Scombridae) specimens collected during seven northern Gulf of Mexico research cruises in 2010 – 2011 and 2015 – 2017. She identified each larval and juvenile tuna specimen to the lowest taxonomic level possible and confirmed her identifications using genetic barcoding. Then, she identified physical characteristics unique to each undescribed juvenile tuna species, finding that body ratios and spine/fin ray counts were key morphological characteristics for identification.

Nina calculated species-specific body ratios using measurements of the head, upper jaw, snout, eyes, and fins. She then observed if and how these ratios changed as early-life-stage tuna matured. Combining reported ratios and her new ratios, she determined the definitive physical characteristics that can be used to identify different juvenile tuna species. “Species-specific body ratios can either be used in conjunction with morphological characteristics or on their own,” said Nina. “For example, a known diagnostic feature of larval and (now) juvenile Acanthocybium solandri (wahoo) is that their snout is twice the size of their eye diameter. However, A. solandri can also be identified using fin ray counts. Both approaches are useful, depending on the condition of the specimen.”

6570d — Jason Mostowy and Nina Pruzinsky rinse the catch from the bongo nets into the codend on a DEEPEND ichthyoplankton cruise aboard the R/V Pelican. (Photo provided by Nina Pruzinsky)

Nina determined the faunal composition and standardized abundance for tuna samples collected during the seven research cruises. She observed that Euthynnus alletteratus (little tunny), Thunnus atlanticus (blackfin tuna), Auxis thazard (frigate mackerel), and Katsuwonus pelamis (skipjack tuna) were the most-abundant species in the analyzed samples. Using sampling location, Nina modeled the distribution of these species and statistically compared their abundance patterns to variables that may drive early life stage assemblage structure and distribution, including location and depth, time of day and year, and oceanographic features such as salinity and temperature. Although each tuna species exhibited a different vertical, seasonal, and horizontal distribution pattern, Nina observed that seasonality and species-specific environmental preferences (such as salinity level) were the main drivers of spatial distribution across the Gulf of Mexico.

“More oil rigs are being added throughout the Gulf, especially in waters that overlap with tuna spawning sites, increasing the chance of another spill. As larvae are planktonic [only float, not swim], they will not be able to avoid an oil spill,” said Nina. “Understanding the distribution, drivers of assemblage structure, and faunal composition of Gulf of Mexico tunas will assist management and conservation efforts, help assess how an oil spill impacts vulnerable early life stages, and potentially predict future year class strength.”

Her Learning

6570e — Nina Pruzinsky identifies a larval tuna on a DEEPEND ichthyoplankton cruise on the R/V Blazing Seven. (Photo by Jessica Lee)

Nina participated in two deep-sea research cruises and two DEEPEND ichthyoplankton research cruises while working in Dr. Sutton’s lab. During these expeditions, she led the data management and cruise planning efforts, interacted with colleagues from other institutions, and gained hands-on experience with the sample collection process. “Working with DEEPEND, there is always a chance to see something new, whether that is new to science, new to the Gulf, or new to my own personal experiences,” she said. “The excitement and comradery among the science crew was contagious, and I was constantly learning through either my own experiences or from hearing my colleagues’ stories. I would not trade that experience for the world!”

Nina said that being a part of the GoMRI community was extremely rewarding, especially learning from and sharing her research with scientists from other fields and projects. She said, “So far, I have presented at several conferences and was an invited speaker at the 2019 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference in New Orleans, LA. It is an incredible experience learning about the research going on within the Gulf of Mexico and telling my own story.”

Her Future

6570f — Nina Pruzinsky holds a dragonfish (Echiostoma barbatum) specimen in the ship’s laboratory. (Photo by Natalie Slayden)

Nina completed her master’s degree in 2018 and is continuing her DEEPEND research as a Research Associate and lab manager in Dr. Sutton’s Oceanic Ecology Lab. When she isn’t on a research cruise, she manages multiple large databases, oversees sample collection and processing, writes cruise reports, participates in education and outreach efforts, and trains graduate research assistants, students, and volunteers. She hopes to continue working with people within and outside of academia and apply her growing research and managerial skills to her future career.

Nina suggested that students pursuing an environmental science or marine biology career should volunteer or intern in different laboratories to gain experience in various scientific fields. She reflected that her own career began working with dinoflagellates but eventually led her to deep-sea and tuna research. “Get involved!” she said. “You never know where your interests will take you.”

Praise for Nina

6570g — DEEPEND team on the DP06 cruise, July 2018. (Photo credit: Dr. Danté Fenolio)

Dr. Sutton said that Nina impressed him from her first interview with her academic record, writing skills, talent, drive, and joyful personality. “After I advertised the first two research assistant positions for DEEPEND, I sorted the applications into two folders: Nina Pruzinsky and everyone else,” he joked. It was no surprise to him when Nina became a pillar in his lab while also tackling challenging morphological analyses and conducting advanced biophysical modeling.

“Simply put, if I had a nickel for every time a troubled student or even a DEEPEND co-PI uttered the phrase ‘I’ll ask Nina,’ I could probably fund another student,” said Sutton. “I was dreading the thought of lab operations without her after she defended her thesis and was so overjoyed when she chose to stay with us as a Research Associate. I feel comfortable speaking for both myself and every co-PI when I say that she has been one of DEEPEND’s brightest stars.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Nina Pruzinsky and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the DEEPEND website to learn more about their work.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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Podcast: The Loop Podcast [English + Español]

The Loop podcast takes a deep dive into the Gulf of Mexico with the researchers studying the processes, mechanisms, and impacts of oil spills.

Researchers from the Center for Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Gulf Ecosystems (C-IMAGE) discuss their studies with David Levin of Mind Open Media. C-IMAGE is an international research group studying mud, microbes and mammals after two mega spills, Deepwater Horizon and Ixtoc I. The goal of C-IMAGE is to advance understanding of the fundamental processes and mechanisms of marine blowouts and their consequences, ensuring that society is better-prepared to mitigate future events.

Episode 1: Overview of C-IMAGE
C-IMAGE PI Dr. Steven Murawski talks to David Levin about C-IMAGE’s research goals and the importance of integration when tackling large scale impacts. This episode is available in English and Spanish. (Transcript: English, Español)

Español:

Episode 2: The Mud and the Blood
C-IMAGE PIs Steven Murawski and David Hollander talk to David Levin aboard the R/V Weatherbird II in August 2012 about looking for Deepwater Horizon‘s impacts on Gulf of Mexico mud and fish. This episode is available in English and Spanish. (Transcript: English, Español)

Español:

Episode 3: The “Not-So-Visible” Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the Gulf of Mexico
Three years after the BP oil well disaster, scientists are struggling to understand the effects on the Gulf ecosystem. David Levin reports on the oil’s impact on the tiny creatures that form the base of the food chain. (Transcript: English)

Episode 4: Fitting the Gulf of Mexico Inside a Computer: How to Build an Ecosystem Model
David Levin talks with C-IMAGE members Cameron Ainsworth, Jason Lenes, Michelle Masi, and Brian Smith about building an ecosystem model of the Gulf of Mexico to describe how oil spills impact marine life. (Transcript: English, Español)

Episode 5: The Pressure is On!
David Levin talks with C-IMAGE PI Steven Murawski and scientists from the Technical University of Hamburg at Harburg Michael Schluter and Karen Malone about their ongoing experiments examining oil and gas droplets under high pressure to learn more about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (Transcript: English, Español)

Episode 6: Oil – It’s What’s for Dinner…
C-IMAGE scientists want to know more about how oil-eating microorganisms behave in the cold deep ocean to learn more about what happened to the oil from the Deepwater Horizon blowout. High-pressure experiments underway at our high pressure facility at the Hamburg University of Technology focus on how these microbes use oil and what happens to them in the process. Results from these studies may lead to a new way to clean up spills by eliminating its most poisonous ingredients. (Transcript: English, Español)

Episode 7: The Ixtoc Spill – Reflections
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill happened just a few years ago, but it might be possible to predict its impact on the Gulf by studying another major spill, one that happened in 1979. “These are two of the largest spills in the world’s history as far as blowouts go, and they were both in the Gulf of Mexico.” Wes Tunnell is a marine biologist who is looking at the aftermath of both spills. It’s almost like he’s looking at the same crime scene, separated by more than three decades. How? Give a listen. Mind Open Media producer David Levin talks to Wes Tunnell and John Farrington about their experiences during the 1979 Ixtoc spill and the applications to new blowouts thirty years late. This episode is available in English and Spanish. (Transcript: English, Español)

Español:

Episode 8: In the Mud in Mexico
“We were of the mind that with studying the Deepwater Horizon in the northern Gulf we weren’t getting a full Gulf of Mexico perspective.” Geochemist David Hollander is traveling with an international team of scientists aboard a Mexican research vessel. Over the last few years, his team has studied the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. But today, they’re looking back at a spill that happened 35 years ago and what they learn on this trip might help them understand the future of the Gulf. Mind Open Media producer David Levin talks to David Hollander, Joel Ortega Ortiz, Isabel Romero, Adriana Gaytán-Caballero, and Travis Washburn about their experiences on the RV Justo Sierra in the southern Gulf of Mexico during the research on the Ixtoc spill. (Transcript: English, Español)

Episode 9: Forensic Oceanography
Listen to learn how scientists reanalyzed remotely sensed data taken in the late 1970s to study the Ixtoc 1 oil spill. Dr. Chuanmin Hu and his graduate student Shaojie Sun use the Landsat and Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) data to develop “treasure maps” of oil from the IXTOC-1 spill to steer field studies. Listen in to find out how they did it. This episode is available in English and Spanish. (Transcript: English, Español)

Español:

Episode 10: The Risks for Fish
What happened to the fish in the days and weeks after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? With a suite of exposure studies, C-IMAGE researchers are monitoring fish health after oil exposure in order to find out. Dr. Dana Wetzel and Kevan Main of Mote Marine Laboratory give fish a small does of oil through either their food, water, or the sea floor sediments, then analyze how their bodies recover. (Transcript: English, Español)

Episode 11: The Cuban Connection: Spills, Science Diplomacy
C-IMAGE collaborated with researchers from the University of Havana for the first join U.S.-Cuban expedition in over 50 years. (Transcript: English)

Episode 12: MTS TechSurge
When research and industry can communicate effectively when responding to an oil spill, both the environment and oil industry benefit from shared knowledge and new technologies. (Transcript: English)

Episode 13: For a Few Dollars More – Costs and Ecosystem Services after Spills
When oil spills are assessed through an economic viewpoint, both environmental and human impacts must be considered to provide a full picture. (Transcript: English)

Episode 14: Modeling Arctic Oil Spills
Understanding the long-term effects of arctic spills like this one could be even more urgent now than ever, as oil exploration makes its way to the North Slope of Alaska (including inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge). C-IMAGE has developed a computer model of the entire Gulf ecosystem, so they could test how future spills would affect the region. And now, they’re applying those tools farther north. (Transcript: English)

Episode 15: Asphalt Ecosystems
At the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, some truly bizarre ecosystems are hiding in the darkness among the asphalt volcanoes and supporting huge colonies of unique life. C-IMAGE has been analyzing these ecosystems and reveals that if chemosynthetic communities are harmed, it could affect other environments as well. The microbes that power those communities don’t just eat chemicals in oil or asphalt—they also eat up a lot of free-floating carbon that would otherwise escape to the rest of the ocean… and eventually, get into the atmosphere, adding to global climate change. (Transcript: English)

Episode 16: Panel Discussion
For the past several years, The Loop covered the work of scientists studying the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The research is winding down and this is The Loop‘s last podcast with C-IMAGE! (Transcript: English)

Grad Student Jasperse Examines Oil Spill Effects on Marsh Fish and Dolphins

6515a — Lindsay Jasperse moves sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) into exposure tanks. (Provided by Milton Levin)

Following Deepwater Horizon, researchers have been conducting multi-year studies on the health of Gulf of Mexico marine life. As part of this effort, Lindsay Jasperse recently studied how marsh fish respond to combined oil exposure and environmental stressors and is currently investigating the immune systems of oil-exposed bottlenose dolphins.

Lindsay is a Ph.D. student with the University of Connecticut’s Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science and a GoMRI Scholar with the Consortium for Advanced Research on Marine Mammal Health Assessment (CARMMHA).

Her Path

6515b — Lindsay Jasperse uses flow cytometry to assess the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the blood of bottlenose dolphins. (Provided by Milton Levin)

Lindsay grew up in New Jersey, where she spent her summers at the beach and developed an interest in marine research. She was an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut when she discovered her love for lab work. Most science classes for her Molecular and Cell Biology major and Physiology and Neurobiology minor included a lab component, and she loved applying classroom lessons to hands-on experiments.

As part of her undergraduate Honors Thesis requirements, Lindsay joined Dr. Sylvain De Guise’s lab team, who was funded through the Morris Animal Foundation, to investigate how eastern oysters respond to oil and Corexit exposure. She loved the research and continued with De Guise’s lab team as a pathobiology Ph.D. student on their GoMRI-funded sheepshead minnow and dolphin research project.

Her Work

Lindsay’s research spans two GoMRI-funded research efforts. Her dissertation research was with the project The Combined Effect of Environmental and Anthropogenic Stressors on Fish Health, which investigated effects on sheepshead minnow reproduction and development. “While fish can adapt to variable estuary conditions, it is not well understood how fish respond to the additional stress of oil exposure,” she explained. “Moreover, environmental conditions such as dissolved oxygen levels and salinity can have a major influence on the uptake and outcome of contaminants in fish.”

6515c — Lindsay Jasperse isolates immune cells from bottlenose dolphin blood samples. (Provided by Milton Levin)

Lindsay and her colleagues conducted experiments with sheepshead minnows using high-energy water accommodated fraction or HEWAF under different environmental stressors, including hypoxia and low salinity. They counted eggs produced and fertilized to monitor reproductive success and analyzed eggs for heart rate, length, and survival. They observed that hypoxia and low salinity intensified HEWAF effects on minnow reproduction, perhaps contributing to developmental problems in their offspring. Two generations of minnows showed impaired ability to capture prey, suggesting possible transgenerational effects on this species. “These data indicate that environmental stressors need to be considered in oil spill risk assessments,” said Lindsay. “We hope that the data from my dissertation can inform remediation efforts following a future oil spill.”

While completing her dissertation, Lindsay became involved with CARMMHA’s investigation on bottlenose dolphin health. Dr. De Guise’s team previously observed that oil-exposed dolphins exhibited immune system impairment, including abnormal proliferation of T lymphocytes (T cells) and a cytokine shift towards a T helper 2 (Th2 cells), which could alter the dolphin’s infection resistance and increase its susceptibility to diseases. “T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity,” explained Lindsay. “T helper 1 (Th1) cells stimulate cell-mediated immunity to help combat intracellular pathogens, Th2 cells stimulate antibody-mediated immunity to help combat extracellular pathogens, and regulatory T cells (Treg) dampen the immune response and are critical for immune tolerance.”

6515d — (L-R) Dr. Sylvain De Guise, Lindsay Jasperse, and Dr. Milton Levin at the 2019 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science conference. Lindsay won a James D. Watkins Student Award for Excellence in Research for her presentation. (Provided by Milton Levin)

Dr. De Guise’s team is now developing techniques to determine the pathways involved in immune system alterations. Using blood samples collected from a reference dolphin population, Lindsay’s team validated novel methods that identify and quantify Treg cells. The team also demonstrated how specific cell-signaling proteins called cytokines can help researchers better understand how T cell subsets function, including how they stimulate dolphin T cells and induce increased Th1 and Treg gene expression. They are using these new tools to determine subtle differences in immune system functioning in oil-exposed and reference dolphins. Lindsay and her colleagues are investigating if in vitro T cell exposure to oil alters T cell proliferation or subset function and using an in vivo mouse model to assess immune system impairment and the potential relationship between Tregs and reproductive failure.

“All of these methods allow us to determine the specific pathways being affected by oil exposure,” explained Lindsay. “This can help us predict what health effects the dolphins are likely to have after oil exposure and how likely (or not) they are to recover.”

Her Learning

Lindsay’s work with Dr. De Guise taught her diverse immunology and toxicology assessment techniques and showed her the value of collaborative science. Their team’s projects are highly collaborative, involving institutions from across the country and overseas. “I’ve seen first-hand how much more can be accomplished when labs work together towards a common goal,” she said.

Lindsay gained valuable experience presenting her research at scientific meetings, helping her become a more effective and confident communicator. She received a James D. Watkins Student Award for Excellence in Research at the 2019 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference. Lindsay described a particularly memorable experience when a large ice storm passed through Mobile, Alabama, during the 2014 conference, “Being from the Northeast, I’m used to snow and ice, but I have never seen anything like that before! The entire city was covered in a sheet of ice.”

Her Future

Lindsay will defend her thesis in May 2019 and then hopefully obtain a post-doc or other research-oriented position. She said that students considering a science career should practice their written and oral communication skills, because effectively communicating one’s research is an important component of the scientific process.

Praise for Lindsay

Dr. De Guise said Lindsay’s exceptional progress as a scientist was rewarding to observe, but not surprising. Even as an undergraduate volunteer, she impressed De Guise and his fellow researchers. “A colleague told me ‘you better keep her!’ She was that much more focused, eager, and fast learning than most undergrads coming through the lab,” he said. He praised Lindsay’s ability to balance working independently with working as a team and keeping focused on the project’s goals. He described her as quick to volunteer and assist others, while managing her own experiments and deadlines with ease. “Lindsay is certainly an exceptionally talented and driven young scientist, with a promising career in front of her,” said De Guise.

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Lindsay Jasperse and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the CARMMHA website to learn more about their work.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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Grad Student Khursigara Examines How Oil Exposure Alters Fish Behavior

6469a — Alexis measures a red drum for her study. (Provided by Alexis Khursigara)

Many fish that were exposed to Deepwater Horizon oil survived; however, they may have experienced later-in-life impacts that affected their ability to survive longer than fish that did not experience oil exposure. Alexis Khursigara investigates if oil-induced latent effects in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) alters behavior, particularly the ability to learn and compete with other fish, which are critical to fish survival. Her research addresses hypotheses concerning sublethal effects of oil and may help inform long term population health and fishery management.

Alexis is a Ph.D. student with the University of Texas at Austin’s Marine Science Institute and a GoMRI Scholar with the Relationship of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in Fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium.

Her Path

Alexis’s parents introduced her to the scientific world at a young age. She spent her childhood summers in her father and step-mother’s neuroscience labs, working with Schwann (neurilemma) cells, helping care for mice and rats, and conducting her own chemical interaction mini-experiments using milk powder and dry ice. Her mother sparked her interest in fish and marine science through trips to the aquarium, where Alexis would spend hours.

6469b — Alexis and her lab mates after running the Beach to Bay relay marathon in May 2018. (L-R) Angelina Dichiera, Leighann Martin, Ben Negrete Jr., Andrew Esbaugh, Alexis Khursigara, and Joshua Lonthair. (Provided by Alexis Khursigara)

Alexis later completed undergraduate and master’s degrees in secondary educational biology at Fairfield University and enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin’s marine science doctoral program. Wanting to focus on how environmental stressors affect fish physiology and behavior, she joined Dr. Andrew Esbaugh’s fish lab researching how oil-induced changes in fish physiology and behavior affect their performance.

“My love for the ocean, fish, and the environment are really what connects me to my research. I love being able to study how human activity impacts our environments and how fish react to those changes,” said Alexis. “I’ve been very fortunate to have parents and people in my life who have always encouraged me to pursue my passions.”

Her Work

6469c — Alexis displays the removed brain of a red drum. (Provided by Alexis Khursigara)

Alexis examines the performance of oil-exposed fish compared to control fish as they compete for food and dominance, and conducts long-term group experiments where growth indicates competitive success.

In the one-on-one trials, fish are individually fitted with an elastomer and acclimated in a tank without food for 48 hours. She then observed each fish for 15 minutes, twice a day, for 5 days recording their location in the tank, food acquisition, and interactions such as attacks or avoidance. She also took images of their fins before and after the trials to assess fin damage caused by attacks from other fish. These metrics provided an overall behavior score; the fish with the highest score was deemed dominant while the lower score was the subordinate fish. In group trials, dominance was primarily assessed through specific growth rate (how much a fish grew per day). Fish that obtained more food and had a faster growth rate were considered dominant. In both scenarios, she found that oil-exposed fish tended to be subordinate when there were limited resources.

Alexis is currently conducting week-long fish experiments using a maze with rewards such as food or another fish at the end to understand how oil-induced changes in neurological function may alter fish behavior. She measures fish’s learning ability by observing the amount of time, distance swam, and number of wrong turns each fish takes to reach the reward. She also conducts trials on fish traits such as boldness or sociability to determine changes in a fish’s personality. While these trials are still being conducted, early results indicate that sociability-related behavior changes occur following oil exposure. “While these tests themselves don’t tell us the state of a fish’s neurological function, shifts in performance in these tests can indicate altered function,” explained Alexis. “For example, if oil-exposed fish aren’t able to learn at the same rate as unexposed fish or if a fish demonstrates certain personality traits before exposure that change after exposure, it may indicate some neurological impairment.”

Alexis is currently considering her results in the context of findings from other RECOVER researchers. So far, she has noticed that aerobic scope is an important factor in dominance hierarchies and that fish with a higher aerobic scope (the difference between minimum and maximum oxygen consumption rate) often become dominant. She explained that when oil reduces an individual fish’s aerobic scope, it also reduces their ability to compete in social settings, predisposing them to social subordination. “A major reason for my investigation into personality and learning behaviors came from transcriptomics data run by another group in the consortium,” said Alexis. “They saw that pathways related to neurological and cognitive function were altered following oil exposure, so we’re using personality and learning behaviors to understand how.”

Her Learning

Working in Esbaugh’s lab taught Alexis communication and collaboration skills and introduced her to new techniques that made her a better researcher. Before joining Esbaugh’s team, she felt hesitant about conducting molecular research due to lack of experience and training. However, his encouragement and insistence on learning molecular techniques eventually led her to a project examining oil-exposed and control fish’s gene expression rates of corticoid receptors as indicators of chronic stress. “I spent months trying to design a primer that would work with our species. Finally, after weeks of failure, I finally found primers that worked,” recalled Alexis. “While this was a really big moment for my research, it was also a big moment for me personally. It showed me that if I get past my hesitations about what I can and can’t do, I can open myself up to some really cool things.”

A memorable experience for Alexis was working with her University of Texas community following Hurricane Harvey. Although the storm caused a lot of damage, personal loss, and hard times, she grew closer to others in her lab and her department. She also learned how to recover should another storm hit – a very real possibility when working in coastal facilities. “People were helping others pack up their stuff, getting rid of destroyed belongings, finding new places to live, and replacing lost items,” she said. “We’ve always had a strong sense of community here at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI), but going through something like that made us even closer. I’m incredibly grateful for the leadership and guidance I received not only from my advisor, but the faculty and administration at UTMSI in getting through that difficult time.”

Her Future

Alexis hopes to enter a post-doc position after graduating and find a university position that would allow her to teach and run a research lab. She offered some advice for students considering a career in science: love what you do, build a strong science base, take advantage of any and all resources and opportunities, and, most importantly, have a strong support system.

Praise for Alexis

Dr. Esbaugh described Alexis as a bright and hard-working student who is eager to try new projects and methods and takes constructive criticism well. He praised her contributions to his lab and to the RECOVER consortium, particularly their research direction. “Her project started as an intuitive ecological extension of a well-known oil effect in fish – cardiac impairment – but through her own observation and initiative, it moved into a new and exciting direction,” he said. “She’s been the driving force for an area of research that our entire consortium is embracing. As a student, I could not have asked for more.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Alexis Khursigara and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the RECOVER website to learn more about their work.

By Stephanie Ellis and Nilde Maggie Dannreuther. Contact sellis@ngi.msstate.edu for questions or comments.

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© Copyright 2010-2018 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

Smithsonian Highlights How Scientists Study Fish Hearts’ Response to Oil

6392 — Derek Nelson performs open-heart surgery on a cobia fish. Photo credit: Dan DiNicola

The Smithsonian’s Ocean Portal published an article that gives readers a fascinating look at how scientists monitor the heartbeat, blood flow, and blood pressure of mahi-mahi before and after oil exposure. Mahi-mahi, an important commercial fisheries species, rely on strong hearts to swim fast for long periods, and recent studies suggest that oil can weaken their hearts. A weak heart could lead to them not getting enough to eat or becoming the meal of a bigger predator.

Read the article Fish Heart Out of Water and meet scientists Rachael Heuer (University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science) and Derek Nelson (University of North Texas) who are figuring out how Deepwater Horizon oil might impact mahi-mahi and other fishes’ health.

Read summaries of recently published papers on fish response to oil exposure:

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GoMRI and the Smithsonian have a partnership to enhance oil spill science content on the Ocean Portal website.

This research was made possible by a grant from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) to the RECOVER consortium (Relationships of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in fish for Validation of Ecological Risk).

The GoMRI is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit https://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.

© Copyright 2010- 2018 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

How Grad Student Schlenker “Sniffs Out” Oil’s Effects on Mahi-Mahi

6353a — Lela Schlenker holds a device used to outfit captured mahi-mahi with data-collecting tags. (Provided by RECOVER)

Laboratory studies at the University of Miami suggest that exposure to Deepwater Horizon oil may have negatively affected heart function in mahi-mahi, reducing their ability to swim efficiently. Lela Schlenker is expanding that research to investigate if and how oil exposure alters the way mahi-mahi migrate and respond to predators and prey in the wild. She conducts her research using different approaches: one focusing on mahi-mahi’s ability to smell and another that uses satellite tagging to monitor mahi-mahi’s behavior after encountering oil.

Lela is a Ph.D. student with the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and a GoMRI Scholar with RECOVER.

Her Path

6353b — Researchers test an anesthetized juvenile mahi-mahi using the electro-olfactogram experimental setup. (Photo by Lela Schlenker)

Lela began her environmental undergraduate studies at Smith College but wasn’t sure if she felt more drawn to terrestrial biology or marine science. A study-away maritime science program with the Williams-Mystic Program gave her the opportunity to experience marine science hands-on and inspired her to continue on that path. She designed an independent project for the course that involved collecting samples aboard a commercial fishing vessel. “It was an eye-opening experience to see all the amazing critters that we were catching and getting to talk to fishermen who have an incredible knowledge base and skillset. The intersection of the biological and human aspects of the fishing really struck me,” said Lela.

The experience inspired Lela to pursue various fisheries-based jobs after completing her undergraduate degree. One of these jobs brought her to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab just months after the Deepwater Horizon incident occurred. Seeing the spill’s initial effects first-hand inspired her to someday explore the oil’s impacts on Gulf ecology and fishing communities. While completing a master’s degree in fisheries science at the College of William and Mary, she learned about Dr. Martin Grosell’s mahi-mahi research at the University of Miami and contacted him about a possible student research position. Grosell thought Lela would be a good fit for his lab; however, he couldn’t hire her unless his proposed RECOVER project received GoMRI funding.

“Whether or not I could come to Rosenstiel and do my Ph.D. completely hinged on that grant,” said Lela. “I got an email from him right after the grant came in asking me to come for an interview. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for GoMRI funding. GoMRI has been instrumental in my career – having funding like this is a really rare and exciting opportunity!”

Her Work

6353c — Rachael Heuer (left) and Lela Schlenker take water quality measurements and check tagged mahi-mahi in a recovery tanks aboard the R/V Walton Smith in summer 2017. (Photo by Dan DiNicola)

Lela assesses how oil exposure affects mahi-mahi’s ability to smell using an electro-olfactogram. She sedates the fish and removes a thin layer of skin from the nostril (septum) to uncover the olfactory rosette – finger-like projections covered in neurons. The fish is fitted with highly conductive electrodes that attach to the animal’s skin and on the rosette. She then delivers seawater with different scents (unscented, prey-scented, and predator-scented) directly to the rosette and measures voltage changes in the neurons in response to each smell. Greater changes in voltage indicate a stronger neurological response and, therefore, a stronger ability to detect the scent. She then dilutes the scent incrementally to determine how faint the smell must be before the fish can no longer detect it.

The next phase of Lela’s olfactory research will expose mahi-mahi to oil and observe if and how their sense of smell changes compared to control fish. A diminished ability to track prey and sense predators via smell could have significant implications for the fish’s survival, migration patterns, and spawning behavior.

6353d — Lela Schlenker and John Stieglitz use a sling to transport a tagged mahi-mahi out of the recovery tank and preparing to release it in the Florida straits, June 2017. (Photo by Dan DiNicola)

Lela will also be conducting satellite tagging experiments that build upon previous tagging field experiments. This summer, her team will capture wild mahi-mahi, rest them in water tanks containing seawater or seawater plus oil, fit the fish with satellite-enabled tags, and release them from the same location. The tags will relay temperature, depth, light level, and location information back to the researchers, who will use it to identify differences in swimming speed, spawning behavior, and migration patterns between the control and oil-exposed fish. “Our tagging research will help us understand how [previous findings that oil affects mahi-mahi physiology] would manifest in the wild and, if the fish were exposed to oil during a spill, how they would cope and what recovery may or may not look like,” she said.

Her Learning

6353e — John Stieglitz and Lela Schlenker release a mahi-mahi back into the ocean after tagging and recovering for 24 hours. (Provided by RECOVER)

The greatest lesson that Lela has learned working alongside Grosell is the importance of being an optimist and making bold choices. Previous studies documenting mahi-mahi behavior experienced many challenges from limited resources to difficulties handling and tagging the wild fish, something Lela was aware of when her team’s research began. She was inspired by Grosell’s determination to improve the research methods to collect better data and include oil as an additional variable. “It was a little scary when he told me we were going to take this thing that no one else has been able to do and then make it harder by adding the oil,” said Lela. “It was a good lesson that sometimes you just have to be bold and go for it and if you can figure out a way to make it happen, then you’re going to conduct exciting research that no one else has been able to do.”

Her Future

6353f — A tagged adult mahi-mahi swims away from the R/V Walton Smith after recovering from the catch-and-tag procedure, June 2017. (Photo by Dan DiNicola)

Lela hopes to continue working in a collaborative research environment after graduation, particularly in a position that also allows her to teach and spark the passion she feels for science in others. She advises students considering a scientific career to explore different avenues before entering graduate school to help solidify which aspects of science they want to pursue. “Taking the time to do different jobs and figure out exactly what you like about scientific research can be really helpful,” said Lela. “It’s not bad to try a lot of different things, especially when you’re in college or right out of college. There’s a lot of different experiences out there, and you never really know where things will lead.”

Praise for Lela

Dr. Grosell commended Lela’s unique dissertation research, which spans several levels of biological organization and offers a refreshing, integrative view of oil impacts on large marine pelagic organisms. He added that she previously led a research cruise and will act as lead scientist for an upcoming cruise in the Gulf of Mexico this summer. “As lead scientist, Lela demonstrates a rare talent for leadership and pursuing challenging directions while promoting a supportive and collegial atmosphere,” said Grosell. “I am grateful to have Lela in my group and continue to learn from her.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Lela Schlenker and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the RECOVER website to learn more about their work.

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RECOVER Releases Director’s Cut of Mahi-Mahi Tagging Expedition

RECOVER The video was created by former Relationships of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium outreach coordinator Dan DiNicola and highlights the consortium’s efforts to capture spawning, feeding, and migratory behaviors in wild mahi using PSAT tags.

The consortia commented: “As a last project Dan created and produced the Directors Cut of last year’s tagging cruise. This cruise took place over the course of three days in the Gulf of Mexico in June, where RECOVER tagged wild mahi with PSAT tags to capture information about spawning, feeding and migratory behaviors. We have posted it below for the all to watch, and to appreciate the talent and dedication that Dan demonstrated as our RECOVER outreach coordinator.

Thank you, Dan for all the amazing work you have done over the past three years. We wish you the best of luck in all new ventures!”

Virtual Reality: RECOVER Announces VR Hatcheries Tour

5026 The Relationships of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium updated their website to create an improved visitor experience, including a Virtual Reality tour of the team’s hatchery facilities. Users visiting the site on their mobile smartphone can take the free tour directly on their device using the Wonda VR software. The renovated site can be found at its new web address, http://recoverconsortium.org/.

Grad Student Hoover Examines How Freshwater Discharge Affects Gulf Larval Fish

6236a — Angie uses a sabiki fishing rig aboard the R/V Point Sur during a Sargassum sampling cruise. (Photo credit: Brian Jones)

Responders to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident sought to reduce the amount of shoreline oiling by diverting an increased amount of Mississippi River outflow into the Gulf of Mexico. The Army Corps of Engineers opened the Bonnet Carré Spillway in 2016, which diverted Mississippi River water into the Mississippi Sound, to relieve pressure on the Louisiana levee system following heavy rainfall. While these actions may have been necessary, surges of freshwater and nutrients into coastal and shelf waters can place stress on the marine environment.

Angie Hoover wants to know how large freshwater pulses and other environmental stressors affect the diet, growth, and condition of larval fishes. “The main motivation behind my work is to do something that betters the planet,” said Angie. “There is a lot of anthropogenic-sourced stress on the Earth, and I want to provide data and information that can help mitigate these issues.”

Angie is a master’s student with the University of Southern Mississippi’s Division of Coastal Sciences and a GoMRI Scholar with the Consortium for Oil Spill Exposure Pathways in Coastal River-Dominated Ecosystems (CONCORDE).

6236b — Angie works in the wet lab during the second CONCORDE cruise, quick-picking fishes of interest from a sample. (Provided by Angie Hoover)

Her Path

Angie grew up in a landlocked Oklahoma town, so she asked that her family vacation at the beach where she could explore the seashore. That desire remained with her, and when she began her undergraduate degree, she never considered a career path other than studying the ocean and its organisms. “I have always found myself wondering how organisms interact with each other and their environments,” said Angie. “The connections formed between organisms and the complexity of marine habitats and food webs especially piqued my interest.”

Angie completed an undergraduate degree in biology at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, which had coastal connections through a partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). She spent two summers taking classes at USM’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory where she later began a coastal sciences master’s degree in Dr. Frank Hernandez’s fisheries oceanography and ecology lab.

Her Work

Angie is investigating how the resulting hydrographic changes after the Bonnet Carré diversion and hypoxic zones affect important survival factors such as diet, growth, and condition in larval fish species. “Because riverine diversions were used to keep the oil offshore after Deepwater Horizon, understanding how diversions impact larval fish, especially those important to the fisheries industry, will be important if they are used for future spill response,” she said.

6236c — Angie collects images of a fish sample using a microscope camera. (Provided by Angie Hoover)

CONCORDE researchers identified water masses in the Mississippi Sound/Chandeleur Sound, Mobile Bay, and Birdsfoot Delta to compare the prey field (zooplankton), diet, growth, and condition of Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia petronus) across different physical and biological environments. Angie and her colleagues conducted a research cruise shortly after the Bonnet Carré opening to capture fish specimens using a paired bongo net and later sorted the plankton samples for fish larvae.

Angie’s first research goal uses Gulf menhaden to identify potential impacts of diversion-driven changes to Mississippi Sound hydrography. Gulf menhaden were abundant in all of her team’s samples and provided a useful sample size for comparison studies among water masses. Angie imaged and measured the Gulf menhaden larvae and removed their guts and otoliths (an inner ear bone that reflects a fish’s growth). She identified and counted the gut contents to determine the fish’s diets and weighed and measured the fish to determine each organism’s condition.

6236d — (L-R) Olivia Lestrade, Alison Deary, Angie Hoover, Carla Culpepper, and Kelia Axler aboard the R/V Point Sur for CONCORDE’s second research cruise. (Provided by Angie Hoover)

Angie’s findings so far show that although larvae diets were not statistically different among water masses, growth and condition did vary significantly. The abundance and community composition of their zooplankton prey differed in the northern Mississippi Sound/Chandeleur Sound compared to Mobile Bay and Birdsfoot Delta. She explained that freshwater influxes can cause changes in temperature and salinity that alter the planktonic communities that larval fish prey upon, potentially leading to reductions in the larvae’s growth and condition.

Angie’s next step will be to investigate how a different environmental stressor, seasonally occurring coastal hypoxia, influences larval fish diet, growth, and condition. During a summer research cruise, she used a multinet plankton sampler to collect plankton at different depths in the water column, including hypoxic and normoxic environments. She will compare the diet, growth, and condition of larvae collected from hypoxic water to those in water with normal oxygen levels to determine if hypoxia played a role in any observed differences.

Her Learning

Working with Dr. Hernandez provided Angie with valuable experience and knowledge about the various aspects of scientific research. Through her work, she learned not only technical skills such as field sampling techniques, sample processing, and species identification, but also important networking and communication skills to share her research and collaborate with other scientists. “Throughout my years at USM, I gained a better understanding of the metrics and analyses used in the field of larval fish ecology, what is feasible and important for developing a project, and how to write and communicate my science effectively and efficiently,” she said.

Angie faced her struggles with public speaking head-on at the 2017 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference was her first oral presentation to expert researchers – a particularly intimidating situation for her. “Being able to successfully present my work and answer questions from the GoMRI community helped me see myself as a part of the scientific community rather than just another student,” she explained. “It was a breakthrough I needed to experience, and GoMRI provided the platform.”

6236e — The Hernandez lab in 2017. (L-R, standing: Carley Zapfe, Carla Culpepper, Luchiano Chiaverano, Courtney Stachowiak, Angie Hoover, Glenn Zapfe, Olivia Lestrade, Frank Hernandez, and Eric Haffey. L-R, seated: Jana Herrmann, Meghan Angelina, Aubrey Foulk.) (Provided by Angie Hoover)

Her Future

Angie’s graduate school experiences strengthened her love for ocean sciences and her interest in deciphering data. She hopes to find a laboratory or agency technician position and expand her skills and knowledge about the interactions between anthropogenic disturbances and fisheries ecology and oceanography. She suggests that students interested in a scientific career should expand their traditional ideas about a scientific career path and make their own opportunities. “As someone with little to no aquatic experience who spent the majority of her life in a landlocked state, I have learned that everyone’s path is different,” she said. “As long as you are taking as much action as possible to build your skills and knowledge base and are passionate about succeeding in your field, you will get your chance.”

Praise for Angie

Dr. Hernandez described Angie as a tremendous asset to his lab and to CONCORDE research. He said that her research on larval fish diet, growth, and condition exceeds their originally proposed research objectives. “She has excelled both at sea collecting data and in the laboratory processing samples,” he said. “She has a tremendous work ethic, a strong commitment to her research, and the respect of all of her lab mates – especially her mentor.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Angie and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the CONCORDE website to learn more about their work.

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© Copyright 2010-2017 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

Video: New Research Tactics for Mahi-Mahi Tagging

A mahi is loaded into a recovery tank after tagging. (Provided by RECOVER)

Data and pictures from before and after a disaster help us understand the impacts of an event; however, the “before” is not always available. Researchers with the Relationships of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium have found through oil-exposure laboratory studies that the Deepwater Horizon incident may have negatively affected mahi-mahi’s heart function, vision, and swim performance. To get the “before” data on mahi-mahi behavior, the researchers are using data-collecting tags to explore how the fish behave in the wild under typical conditions for comparison studies.

Researchers work together to lower a mahi into an oxygenated bin that will help keep the fish healthy during the tagging process. (Provided by RECOVER)

During a recent expedition, researchers aboard the R/V Walton Smith used a new tag-and-release strategy for mahi-mahi. Tagged fish were held in 1,320-gallon tanks for 24 hours, allowing the fish to recover from angling and handling stress. Because tags used in previous expeditions have not stayed with the fish longer than 10 days, the team hypothesized that the increased recovery time before release would improve tag retention and fish survivability. The most recent feedback proved this hypothesis to be correct as tag retention more than doubled. The pop-up satellite archival tags that the researchers are using collect acceleration information (which helps determine if the fish is spawning) as well as water temperature, depth, and migration data. The team hopes to collect up to 96 days of data using this new tactic.

PhD student Lela Schlenker holds a device used to outfit captured mahi with data-collecting tags. (Provided by RECOVER)

The concept may seem simple at first, but catching, tagging, holding, and releasing these large fish is challenging. Miss Britt Charters, an experienced Miami-based fishing charter, accompanied the R/V Walton Smith on their recent expedition. The charter’s crew used their fishing experience to identify schools of mahi, then relayed that information to the R/V Walton Smith crew, who traveled to the location.

Anglers from the RECOVER team onboard Miss Britt hooked mahi using rods and reels and sent the hooked lines to the research team. Then the research team guided each fish into a sling, carried it across the deck of the vessel, and placed the sling and fish into a shallow tank of oxygenated water. Once there, the researchers de-hooked, measured, and tagged each fish before moving it into a recovery tank onboard the vessel. This process typically took less than two minutes to complete from sling to recovery tank. Once the 24-hour recover period ended, the researchers used the sling to return the fish to the sea.

John Stieglitz and Lela Schelnker release a mahi back into the ocean after tagging and recovering for 24 hours. (Provided by RECOVER)

The expedition successfully tagged and released nine adult mahi. Since the tagging, all tags have detached and are transmitting the collected data to satellites, and an extensive amount of data now awaits detailed analyses. “This is the first time an experiment like this has been done, and it’s incredible to see fish swim off healthy at the end of it,” said RECOVER Ph.D. student Lela Schlenker, the lead scientist on the expedition. “It’ll be exciting to see where these fish go, how they travel, and what sort of environments they’re in. This is really important information for managing mahi-mahi and learning more about their ecology.”

A trailer for an upcoming documentary highlighting the team’s innovative research efforts.
(Credit: RECOVER)

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This research was made possible in part by a grant from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) to the Relationship of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in Fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium.

© Copyright 2010- 2017 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

RECOVER Enlists Professional Anglers for Mahi Tagging Experiment

RECOVER This RECOVER Consortium experiment uses satellite tags attached to adult mahi to help determine if consortium experiments could be replicated in the wild. Experienced anglers can help increase the amount of fish researchers catch in a day and reduce stressful fight times on the line to ensure that the tagged fish are as healthy as possible.

Click for more details…

App: RECOVER Virtual Lab (iPad + Web)

4444 In the wake of Deepwater Horizon, scientists have been working diligently to understand the impacts of the oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico along with the wildlife and people that depend on it.

The Relationships of Effects of Cardiac Outcomes in fish for Validation of Ecological Risk (RECOVER) consortium’s focus has been on the impacts of fish, specifically the economically and ecologically important mahi-mahi and red drum. Most of their research and experiments take place behind closed doors in laboratories with extremely controlled settings. As a result, it is not always feasible for the general public to see what happens day-to-day. RECOVER is extremely excited to bring you our solution – the RECOVER Virtual Lab. A novel approach to bring marine science into any classroom, foster STEM learning, and improve student performance in science classes.

The app allows students to analyze real data collected by consortium scientists and observe how oil-exposed mahi and redfish swim compared to unexposed control fish. Lesson plans for teachers and quizzes testing student’s performance are built-in to the app’s interface, and more experiments are in development.

The app currently contains two lessons:

Vision Test: Students analyze data collected by researcher Jason Magnunson to see how crude oil impacts the vision of mahi-mahi, red drum, and sheepshead minnow.
Swim Tunnel: Students use a “fish treadmill” to observe how oil impacts the swimming speeds and ability of mahi mahi.

Download the iPad app from the Apple App Store or visit http://recovervirtuallab.com/ to get started!

Oceanography Highlights Findings from Deepwater Horizon Research

Cover of the September 2016 Oceanography Magazine, Volume 29, Number 3

7^th year of the largest coordinated research endeavor around an ocean event.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and subsequent response efforts raised concerns about impacts on the Gulf of Mexico’s ocean and coastal environments. The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI), in response to the spill, initiated an unprecedented 10-year scientific research program funded by BP. Seven years into the program, we know more than ever before about the Gulf’s complex environment, dynamic processes, and response to stressors.

Oceanography magazine dedicated a special issue to this research, GoMRI: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science, and below are highlights from 13 papers it featured.*

WHERE OIL WENT

Surface oil covered a cumulative area of 149,000 km² in the northeastern Gulf. Wind and currents transported surface slicks towards land, affecting approximately 1,800-2,100 km of shoreline, a third of which were moderately to heavily oiled including 1,075 km in Louisiana. Macondo oil was visually evident at the edge of Louisiana marshes and up to 10 m inland.

Subsea oil and gas rose through the water column and formed an underwater oil plume that covered an area of approximately 930 km² and made direct contact with continental slope sediments. A significant proportion of surface oil returned to the deep seafloor primarily through an extensive marine oil snow sedimentation event known as a “dirty blizzard,” forming a 0.5-1.2 cm thick floc layer.

Cleanup efforts removed oil from 73% of beaches affected by the spill, but residual oil remained as surface residue balls (SRBs), submerged oil mats, and in marsh plants and sediment, and is subject to continued weathering, biodegradation, and possible resuspension.

HOW OIL CHANGED

Crude oils contain thousands of compounds that, upon entering a marine environment, undergo significant compositional changes from weathering processes such as evaporation, dissolution, emulsification, dispersion, sedimentation/flocculation, microbial degradation, and photooxidation.

Most crude oil compounds are readily biodegradable and generally follow a clear degradation pattern: n-alkanes first followed by branched alkanes, lower molecular weight aromatics, higher molecular weight aromatics, and cyclic alkanes. Anaerobic biodegradation is a slower process than aerobic degradation, and crude oil compounds can remain relatively unaltered in reduced sediments and environments for long time periods and may appear as relatively fresh oil compared to surface oil exposed to aerobic conditions.

MICROBIAL RESPONSE AFFECTING OIL FATE

Macondo oil had a relatively low content of persistent resins and asphaltenes, and warm temperatures supported geochemical and biological degradation. The prevalence of oil-degrading bacteria generated a prompt response from the microbial community and subsequent biodegradation. Microbial communities in the plume were different from those in non-plume waters and exhibited a significant enrichment of hydrocarbon-degrading metabolic genes. Aerobic oxidation of short chain alkanes, propane, and butane caused up to 70% of oxygen depletion observed in the oil plume.

Residual oil trapped in Pensacola Beach sands showed a progression of microbial populations linked to hydrocarbon degradation. Early-responder microbes were followed by populations capable of aromatic hydrocarbon decomposition. Microbial abundance in oiled sands was 10-10,000 times that in clean sands in the first four months after oil came ashore. A typical beach-environment microbial community returned after one year but differed significantly from pre-spill communities.

DEEP OCEAN IMPACTS

Carbon from the spill was likely incorporated into the mesopelagic (200-1,000 m depth) food web through consumption of prey rich in depleted carbon. The nature of microbial communities in the deep sea likely changed. An 80-93% decline in benthic foraminifera was related to reducing conditions and increased polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrations.

Deepsea megafauna had lower diversity and abundance near the spill site relative to regions farther away, though blue marlin, Atlantic sailfish, blackfin tuna, and dolphinfish showed no significant reduction in larval abundance. Bottom-dwelling golden tilefish had the highest concentrations of naphthalene metabolite levels in bile measured in fishes globally. Tunas and jacks collected near the spill site exhibited developmental crude oil cardiotoxicity, suggesting a possible loss of early predator recruits that spawn in open waters. Sperm whale acoustic activity decreased near the spill site by a factor of two and increased farther away, suggesting they relocated.

Hard-bottom communities, including natural and artificial reefs, suffered injuries that were severe and long-lasting. Macrofauna and meiofauna diversity had not recovered after four years, and community structure differences still persist. Deep-sea colonial corals, in particular octocorals near the spill site, showed visible evidence of impact, and flocculent material covering the coral contained chemical fingerprints associated with Macondo oil and DOSS (dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate). Researchers returned to these coral eight times and observed continued impacts such as tissue death with some coral skeletons secondarily colonized by hydrozoans.

Field measurements showed that planktonic community abundance and species composition returned to pre-spill conditions within a year. Laboratory experiments indicated that zooplankton exposed to sublethal crude oil levels bioaccumulated five PAHs, which could increase their susceptibility to predation and enhance trophic transfer of toxic PAHs.

MARSH IMPACTS

There were immediate negative impacts in moderately to heavily oiled marshes in southeastern Louisiana. The average concentration of total alkanes and PAHs in June 2013 was 20 and 374 times pre-oiled conditions, respectively. Total alkane concentrations were on a trajectory to be near baseline levels by 2015, but this did not occur likely a result of multiple resuspension events from storms.

Some damaged marsh shorelines showed precipitous shoreline erosion at least 2.5 years after oiling due to damaged root systems. Marshes lost due to oiling and shoreline erosion will not return without human intervention. Forty-two months after the spill, heavily oiled marshes showed near-complete plant mortality, and live aboveground biomass was 50% of reference marshes. Decreased living marsh vegetation and population levels of some fauna were obvious for 2-5 years. Meiofauna density was lower along with S. alterniflora grasses in heavily oiled areas.

Fiddler crab average size declined and there were proportion shifts in two species composition. Periwinkle snails density declined, and a slow recovery in abundance and size distribution was related to habitat recovery. Worms, seed shrimp, and mud dragons had not recovered to background levels 48 months post-spill. Killifish showed little evidence of spill impacts. Horse fly abundance declined sharply. Arthropods were suppressed by 50% in 2010 but had largely recovered in 2011. Seaside Sparrow nests on unoiled sites were more likely to fledge than those on oiled sites. Loons varied in frequency with PAHs by year and exhibited reduced body mass as PAH concentrations increased.

These effects are expected to continue – possibly for decades – to some degree, or the marsh ecosystem will reach a new baseline condition in heavily damaged areas.

FISH & SEAFOOD IMPACTS

Commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries were closed in fall 2010 in areas where oil was observed and predicted to travel and reopened by April 2011. Impacts on fisheries productivity were relatively short-lived, with landings and their values returning to pre-spill levels or greater for most fishery species. However, long-term effects are yet to be determined. Laboratory studies indicate that early life stages of fish are generally more sensitive to oil and dispersant’s sublethal effects (with some resulting in reduced swimming performance and cardiac function) than adults.

Public health risks from exposure to crude oil residue through seafood or coastal beaches returned to pre-spill levels after the spill dissipated. Seafood from reopened areas was found to be safe for consumption, with PAH levels comparable to those found in common local processed foods. PAH concentrations detected in many seafood samples during and following the spill were at least 2 orders of magnitude below levels of public health concern. DOSS was detected in less than 1% of samples and at levels below public health concern.

Tests on SRBs showed that Vibrio vulnificus were 10 times higher than the surrounding sand and up to 100 times higher than seawater, suggesting that SRBs can act as reservoirs for bacteria including human pathogens. Coquina clams initially showed higher PAH levels relative to the surrounding sand, but levels decreased continuously and were undetectable in sand (one year) and Coquina tissues (two years).

DISPERSANT EFFECTS & FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES

Dispersant increased the oil fraction that spread within the water column and laterally displaced oil that reached the sea surface. Dispersants reduced droplet sizes and rise velocities, resulting in a more than tenfold increase in the downstream length of the surface oil footprint.

Chemical dispersants may be more toxic to some marine organisms than previously thought, and small oil droplets created by dispersant use and directly consumed by marine organisms are often more toxic than crude oil alone. Dispersant effects on microorganisms might be taxa-specific, and some studies suggest that dispersants stimulated biodegradation while others conclude the opposite. Degradation rates of hexadecane and naphthalene were more rapid in the absence of dispersants, as was the overall removal of the water-accommodated oil fraction.

Dispersant applied at the broken riser pipe helped form a deep water oil plume. DOSS was likely transferred to the plume and was later detected in surface sediments, on corals, and within oil-sand patties.

A future option is development of plant-based materials for efficient chemical herding of compact oil slicks into layers that are sufficiently thick to enable oil burning or skimming. Opportunities exist for new dispersants that work in synergy with current dispersants and mitigate some of their disadvantages. Examples include a system containing soybean lecithin and the surfactant Tween 80, substitution of lecithin for DOSS, and using carbon-based particles and silicas to stabilize emulsified droplets. Laboratory research needs to be conducted at concentrations and under conditions relevant to marine environments.

MODELING CAPABILITIES

Model improvements provide a better understanding of droplet formation in the turbulent plume above the wellhead. No model during the spill could predict droplet size distribution, which dictates rise times, dissolution, and biodegradation. Oil spill models now include the ability to simulate the rise of a buoyant oil plume from the seabed to the surface. Consideration of oil’s 3D movement permits the prediction of oil spreading through subsurface plumes. Our understanding of the near-surface oceanic layer and atmospheric boundary layer, including the influences of waves and wind, has also improved.

Oil spill modeling routines will likely be included in Earth system models, linking physical models with marine sediment and biogeochemical components. Advances in coupled nearfield-farfield dynamic modeling together with real-time, seven-day circulation forecasts allow for near-real-time tracking and forecasting of oil dynamics. This is the most promising approach for rapid evaluation of blowout predictions to support first response decisions.

* Overton, E.B., T.L. Wade, J.R. Radović, B.M. Meyer, M.S. Miles, and S.R. Larter. 2016. Chemical composition of Macondo and other crude oils and compositional alterations during oil spills. Oceanography 29(3):50–63

Socolofsky, S.A., E.E. Adams, C.B. Paris, and D. Yang. 2016. How do oil, gas, and water interact near a subsea blowout? Oceanography 29(3):64–75

Passow, U., and R.D. Hetland. 2016. What happened to all of the oil? Oceanography 29(3):88–95

Özgökmen, T.M., E.P. Chassignet, C.N. Dawson, D. Dukhovskoy, G. Jacobs, J. Ledwell, O. Garcia-Pineda, I.R. MacDonald, S.L. Morey, M.J. Olascoaga, A.C. Poje, M. Reed, and J. Skancke. 2016. Over what area did the oil and gas spread during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Oceanography 29(3):96–107

John, V., C. Arnosti, J. Field, E. Kujawinski, and A. McCormick. 2016. The role of dispersants in oil spill remediation: Fundamental concepts, rationale for use, fate, and transport issues. Oceanography 29(3):108–117

Passow, U., and K. Ziervogel. 2016. Marine snow sedimented oil released during the Deepwater Horizon spill. Oceanography 29(3):118–125

Tarr, M.A., P. Zito, E.B. Overton, G.M. Olson, P.L. Adhikari, and C.M. Reddy. 2016. Weathering of oil spilled in the marine environment. Oceanography 29(3):126–135

Joye, S.B., S. Kleindienst, J.A. Gilbert, K.M. Handley, P. Weisenhorn, W.A. Overholt, and J.E. Kostka. 2016. Responses of microbial communities to hydrocarbon exposures. Oceanography 29(3):136–149

Rabalais, N.N., and R.E. Turner. 2016. Effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on coastal marshes and associated organisms. Oceanography 29(3):150–159

Murawski, S.A., J.W. Fleeger, W.F. Patterson III, C. Hu, K. Daly, I. Romero, and G.A. Toro-Farmer. 2016. How did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affect coastal and continental shelf ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico? Oceanography 29(3):160–173

Buskey, E.J., H.K. White, and A.J. Esbaugh. 2016. Impact of oil spills on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico: Effects on plankton, nekton, and deep-sea benthos. Oceanography 29(3):174–181

Fisher, C.R., P.A. Montagna, and T.T. Sutton. 2016. How did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill impact deep-sea ecosystems? Oceanography 29(3):182–195

Dickey, R., and M. Huettel. 2016. Seafood and beach safety in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Oceanography 29(3):196–203

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© Copyright 2010- 2017 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

App: Virtual Lab Creates More “Wow” Moments in Science Discovery

Miami Girl Scouts look at mahi-mahi embryos at an Ocean Kids outreach event. University of Miami students with the RECOVER consortium set up hands-on learning stations about the ocean. (Photo by RECOVER)

A child’s face lit up with wonder as she peered into a microscope for the first time and discovered a new world. Researchers at the Miami-based RECOVER consortium want experiences like this to happen more often for more students, so they designed and developed the RECOVER Virtual Lab. Now, scientists can engage students ages 8 and older anywhere anytime with an innovative lab experience that is accessible online and soon through the Apple App Store.

RECOVER Outreach lead Daniel DiNicola explained how the virtual lab came about, “In the consortium’s beginning, Martin Grosell [RECOVER Director] and I wanted to increase the public’s awareness and use of RECOVER’s visually-engaging experiments. We wanted something interactive that schools or public venues like museums could use.” The virtual lab is a consortium legacy product that will teach oil spill science for years to come and increases their classroom reach around the world.

Visitors to the Virtual Lab see an experiment showing how the swimming performance of Mahi mahi are affected by different levels of oil exposure. The chart below the fish tracks performance. (Photo provided by RECOVER)

The lab’s development began in earnest using the same team that built the RECOVER website. “We liked that they already understood the research and that they work close by at the University of Miami’s main campus,” explained DiNicola. Development took about eight months and included storyboarding, wire framing, script development, filming, post production, data visualization, app design, and coding.

Internal beta testing for the virtual lab gave the RECOVER team feedback that improved science accuracy. “It was extremely beneficial to work alongside the scientists whose work is featured in the app,” said DiNicola. “The scientists offered insight and guidance that helped us refine the product and identify bugs.”

The pilot lesson, Fish Treadmills, is geared toward middle school, high school, and college students. Future lessons will include an experiment on visual acuity, fish embryonic and larval development, and social interactions. “All our lessons will feature one RECOVER graduate student acting as the virtual lab partner and explaining their research,” explained DiNicola. “We believe this is a great way for our students to practice valuable science communication skills as well as show their enthusiasm for their work.”

An evaluation component is built into the app to help determine and quantify the virtual lab’s success. Grade-specific quizzes available after every lesson will give the RECOVER team valuable insights into the lesson’s effectiveness. The demographic and location data collected by the quizzes will help identify use and participation trends. The RECOVER team hopes to publish their findings on the tool’s effectiveness using the evaluation data.

Grade-specific workbooks and transcripts for educators and students are available for download. Future plans for the virtual lab include more lessons for younger elementary students. For more information, visit the RECOVER website.

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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.

© Copyright 2010- 2017 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

Grad Student Diamante Investigates How PAHs Affect Fish Development

Graciel prepares zebrafish embryo samples for RNA extractions to assess gene regulation after PAH exposure. (Provided by Graciel Diamante)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can disrupt important signaling pathways that transcribe genes during fish’s early embryonic development, which could cause malformations. Graciel Diamante is conducting laboratory experiments with fish embryos to understand how weathered PAHs affect fish development. She is also finding that her work demonstrates the importance of perseverance, giving back, and collaborating within a diverse scientific community.

Graciel is an environmental toxicology Ph.D. student at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and a GoMRI Scholar with the RECOVER consortium.

Her Path

Graciel began pursuing biology as an undergraduate at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) after her enthusiastic biology professor sparked her interest in the field. She explored different research programs and worked in several labs and summer research opportunities to narrow her interests. She discovered a passion for toxicology while working on a University of California, Los Angeles summer project researching how saporin – a ribosome-inactivating protein found in soapwort plants – causes toxicity.

Graciel (left) and Norma Menjivar-Cervantes, an undergraduate at UCR, assess zebrafish embryos after PAH exposure. (Provided by Graciel Diamante)

She completed her undergraduate degree in cell and molecular biology and entered UCR’s environmental toxicology Ph.D. program. There, her interest in understanding how different compounds affect fish cardiovascular development led her to her advisor, Dr. Daniel Schlenk. Although Dr. Schlenk did not have an open position when Graciel arrived, he was impressed by her persistence and took her on as a graduate teaching assistant. She also conducted laboratory research while attending classes until Schlenk’s lab began its collaboration with the RECOVER consortium. “When the GoMRI grant came in, she was my first choice to put on as graduate student support,” said Schlenk.

Her Work

Chrysene is one of the most persistent PAHs in the water column following an oil spill and can produce oxygenated derivatives such as 2- and 6-hydroxychrysene after undergoing photo-oxidation. These hydroxylated compounds can disrupt important estrogen-signaling pathways during embryonic development, but little else is known about their toxicity. Graciel investigates the signaling pathways involved in hydroxylated PAH toxicity using zebrafish as a model for vertebrate development.

Graciel (left) and undergraduate Norma Menjivar-Cervantes use a miscroscope to assess the impacts of chemical exposure to zebrafish embryos. (Provided by Graciel Diamante)

Graciel prepares zebrafish embryos so that they are all the same developmental stage and conducts 74-hour exposure experiments using different concentrations of 2-hydroxychrysene and 6-hydroxychrysene (0.5 μM to 10 μM). Using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), she analyzes the embryos to assess the expression of certain genes that these chemicals can potentially alter and evaluate the occurrence of deformities compared to controls. She also determines the number of dead and alive embryos during the experiments.

She is observing that, unlike the parent compound chrysene, 2-hydroxychrysene and 6-hydroxychrysene exposures of at least 0.5 μM and 3 μM, respectively, increase developmental defects including cardiac, circulatory, and eye defects. The 6-hydroxychrysene concentrations of at least 3 μM decrease embryo survival, while 2-hydroxychrysene concentrations do not. Next, Graciel will conduct the same experiment using mahi mahi embryos and determine if the same effects are observed across fish species. She will use lower hydroxylated PAH concentrations and evaluate embryos for the deformities and altered transcripts found in the zebrafish experiments.

Her Learning

Graciel is an active mentor in the UCR’s Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) undergraduate program, which helps students from diverse backgrounds get involved with research. While she was an undergraduate student participating in CSUN’s Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement program and later its Minority Access to Research Careers program, Graciel saw first-hand the impact such programs can have on a student’s professional growth. “As a mentor, I want teach them about a project’s importance, experimental design, and the ups and down of research – things you can’t learn in a classroom setting,” she said. “I want them to find what it is that inspires them, so that they can find a career they truly enjoy.”

Graciel (left) with RECOVER scientists Dr. Daniel Schlenk (center) and Dr. Elvis Xu (right). (Provided by Graciel Diamante)

Graciel said that working in Schlenk’s lab during her GoMRI research taught her that science is a continual learning process. “Just as you uncover the answer to one question, another question arises.” She also learned that science pushes forward collaborations. “The importance of networking became even clearer when I joined the GoMRI community,” she said. “The RECOVER group has great scientists as well as some of the nicest people I have met.”

Living and attending school in a culturally mixed environment has helped Graciel meet and work with individuals from unique backgrounds. Cultural diversity has had an important impact on her personal maturity and shown her the importance of a diverse scientific community. She explained, “Research needs different ideas and is highly dependent on creativity and critical thinking. There is no better way to obtain this than from diverse individuals.”

Her Future

Graciel hopes to attain a post-doctoral position, continue researching fish cardiac development and physiology, and combine toxicology and developmental biology to investigate contaminants and their specific mode of action. Ultimately, she wants to become a professor and foster students’ curiosity about science and promote higher education. She suggests that students considering a science career get involved in a research project to help focus their ambitions. Gaining research experience and working in multiple labs as an undergraduate helped Graciel prepare for graduate work and her overall scientific career. “These experiences helped me figure out what my interests were and if this was the career I wanted to pursue,” she said.

Graciel and the RECOVER team pose for a photo at a consortium All-Hands Meeting. (Photo by Daniel DiNicola)

Praise for Graciel

Schlenk said Graciel displayed a positive attitude and persevered in the face of setbacks. He explained that when the project began, it appeared that Graciel was seeing very significant effects on the fish. However, she discovered that her results were caused by a pathogen infestation in the animal model, not the chemicals she was testing. Rather than giving up, Graciel quickly began preparations to repeat the experiment. “She spent almost a whole year on her project and had to repeat everything all over again using a different animal,” he said. “So many students say ‘tell me the easy way out’ and she’s never ever asked that. It’s been neat to see her develop through this project so that she knows now what studies to do and what end points to look at. It’s very encouraging for me as a mentor.”

Schlenk explained that Graciel is a first-generation college student and that her passion for education and women in science is evident in mentoring female undergraduate students. Schlenk believes that the students’ increasing excitement about science and research is due to Graciel’s mentorship. “It’s wonderful that she’s able to touch students’ lives,” he said. “I think she’s so grateful for the opportunities she’s had that she wants to show her gratitude by doing the same things for younger students – kind of passing the torch.”

Schlenk also discussed Graciel’s personal interactions in the lab, describing her as “the mom in the group,” helping out and taking care of issues without complaint. He concluded, “She’s just a wonderful, caring person who wants to do the right thing. It’s so refreshing.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Graciel Diamante and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the RECOVER website to learn more about their work.

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© Copyright 2010- 2017 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).

Video: C-IMAGE Releases Aerial Video of OneGulf Expedition

Researchers studied fish and seafloor sediments across the southern, western and northern Gulf of Mexico. Their goals were to understand the lasting impacts of oil spills and to develop baseline levels in Gulf waters.

This aerial footage shows a sample of the work our researchers perform while aboard the R/V Weatherbird II. These studies include using a sediment multicore, bottom longline fishing, and plankton tows (bongo nets).

This research was made possible by a grant from The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative/C-IMAGE II.

How Grad Student Seubert Interprets Gulf of Mexico Resiliency Using Predator Diet

Emily displays a shortfin mako she and her team encountered while conducting longline surveys. (Provided by Emily Seubert)

Major environmental disturbances such as oil spills can alter a marine ecosystem’s structure and even cause species losses or additions in impacted areas – changes which may have long-term consequences for an ecosystem’s functions.

Emily Seubert investigates the diets of marine predators in the northern Gulf of Mexico food web to better understand how the Deepwater Horizon spill may have affected the Gulf’s functional diversity and resiliency. “It is our duty as residents of this planet to protect and care for it,” explained Emily. “The more we understand, the more knowledge we can spread to others and help protect our world.”

Emily is a marine science master’s student with the University of South Alabama and a GoMRI Scholar with the Alabama Center for Ecological Resilience (ACER).

Emily throws out a baited gangion as she sets the bottom longline. (Provided by Emily Seubert)

Her Path

Emily spent the summers of her Seattle childhood exploring Puget Sound tide pools and being awestruck by orca whale pods that would surround her family’s boat. These experiences drove her desire to study marine science. Emily completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the University of California, Davis in 2013 and began a master’s degree in marine science at the University of South Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in 2015. Her desire to learn more about ecosystem interactions and functions sparked her interest in joining her advisor Dr. Marcus Drymon to study effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on species diversity and food web interactions.

Her Work

Functional diversity refers to an ecosystem’s particular biological processes, functions, and characteristics. Previous studies have suggested that the Deepwater Horizon spill reduced the abundance and diversity of consumers at various trophic levels in the Gulf food web, likely altering ecosystem function. Community-level changes documented post-spill showed elevated numbers of predator species compared to pre-spill observations, which could indicate a restructuring of the northern Gulf food web. Emily assesses stable isotope ratios in apex predators (top of the food chain) and mesopredators to investigate the post-spill food web and quantify functional groups, which will help her identify shifts in the system’s functional diversity.

Emily (left) uses a knife to peel back the skin of a bull shark so she can use a biopsy punch to extract a sample of white muscle tissue. (Provided by Emily Seubert)

Emily extracts blood and muscle tissue samples from predatory shark, ray, and fish species collected in waters around the Chandeleur Islands, Mississippi Sound, and Mobile Bay. She analyzes the samples for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope ratios. Emily explained that carbon 13 – the stable isotope of carbon – does not fractionate as it moves through the food web; therefore, carbon’s stable isotope ratio is useful for identifying the source of organic matter that fuels a food web. Similarly, sulfur does not fractionate and its stable isotope ratio can help differentiate between benthic and pelagic food webs. Unlike carbon and sulfur, nitrogen does fractionate with each change in trophic level, making it a useful indicator of trophic position. The combination of these three stable isotope ratios allows Emily to identify each sampled organism’s role in the food web and determine if its functional role overlaps with other organisms.

Emily uses this information to look at the ecosystem as a whole to determine what the area’s functional diversity indicates about its resiliency after an environmental disaster. She explained that having more functionally diverse species increases an ecosystem’s resiliency to disasters: “The more functionally diverse an ecosystem, the greater its resiliency and its potential to recover from a disturbance like an oil spill. Think about an ecosystem with only three roles or trophic niches to fill, and you’ve lost one in a disaster. That ecosystem would suffer a lot more from losing one species or niche than a more robust ecosystem with ten roles or trophic niches.”

Emily uses a hypodermic needle to extract blood from the caudal vein of a blacktip shark. (Provided by Emily Seubert)

Understanding the resiliency and robustness of ecosystems can help inform recovery and restoration plans for future environmental disasters. Researchers and responders can use this information to determine which ecosystems are more vulnerable to environmental disasters and will therefore need more protection and better management. “If a disaster-affected ecosystem exhibited low numbers of apex predators and high numbers of mesopredators, we should manage our fishing pressures on those higher-level organisms,” explained Emily. “In that scenario, we can suspect that something is offsetting the balance, and relieving our fishing efforts on top predators may help bring the system back to equilibrium.”

Her Learning

Emily has found that, while the scientific process seems straightforward, learning how to juggle fieldwork, lab work, classes, presentations, and conferences can be challenging. Her ACER research provided her with valuable experience in planning, executing, and managing research and in clearly communicating her research and findings, helping her grow as a young scientist and professional. “The difference between where I started and where I am now is night and day,” said Emily. “I gain more confidence and knowledge with every obstacle and task I face. I know that I am growing as a scientist every day, surrounded by amazing mentors and a fantastic support team.”

Her Future

Emily plans to complete her master’s degree by the end of 2017 and find a position that allows her to travel and work in various labs around the country or even the world. She believes that working with different organisms, ecosystems, environments, and people can help her better understand our natural world. “As I have done throughout my career, I will continue to keep my eyes and ears open and to never stop learning,” she said.

Emily recommends that students interested in marine science should take chances and venture outside of their comfort zone. Her path took her far from home to an area she never anticipated and researching species she knew little about. However, she says she cannot imagine working with a better ecosystem, study species, or advisor for her master’s research, “I feel extremely lucky and blessed to be doing what I’m doing, and I never would be where I am if I hadn’t taken chances.”

Praise for Emily

Emily’s advisor Dr. Marcus Drymon said it has been a pleasure to work with Emily as she matures into a seasoned researcher. He praised her “palpable enthusiasm” for her research and her cheerful wit, calling her an integral part of his project. “I’m proud of the progress that Emily has made,” he said. “I see enormous potential for Emily’s work to contribute to a broader understanding of ecosystem resiliency.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Emily Seubert and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the ACER website to learn more about their work.

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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.

Grad Student Pasparakis Looks to Fish Embryos for Long-Term Oil Spill Answers

Christina analyzes different life stages of mahi-mahi embryos under a stereomicroscope. (Photo by Dan DiNicola)

Studies that investigate the effects of oil exposure on developing fish are typically conducted at otherwise non-stressful ambient conditions, which may result in conservative impact estimates. Christina Pasparakis is studying the combined effects of oil exposure and other environmental stressors to create a more comprehensive assessment of Deepwater Horizon impacts.

Christina is a marine science Ph.D. student at the University of Miami and a GoMRI Scholar with the RECOVER consortium.

Her Path

Christina grew up on Key Biscayne, a south Florida island, where she developed a deep appreciation for the ocean and marine life. She was five years old when Hurricane Andrew devastated south Florida, including Key Biscayne’s once-flourishing Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. A few years later, however, salt marshes and mangrove ecosystems brimming with new forms of marine life had replaced the invasive Australian Pines that once dominated the park. “Watching the island regenerate after such a profound natural disaster, I learned a valuable lesson: nature is, in fact, remarkably resilient,” she explained. “It solidified my interest in studying nature and its incredible ability to adapt to changing conditions.”

Christina makes a high-energy water-accommodated fraction (HEWAF) from surface oil. These WAF dilutions will be used in exposure experiments with embryonic mahi-mahi. (Photo by Dan DiNicola)

As Christina completed her biology master’s degree at San Francisco State University in 2013 and entered the University of Miami’s Ph.D. program in marine science, news about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill deeply saddened her. She became increasingly concerned as the spill’s ecological severity grew over time. When her advisor Dr. Martin Grosell started a multi-year oil spill research project in 2015, which continued his Natural Resources Damage Assessment oil-impact studies, Christina began researching oil’s effects on the developing Gulf fish whose spawning period temporally and geographically overlapped with the Deepwater Horizon event.

Christina hydrates a microplate used for high-throughput oxygen consumption data in small organisms, such as embryos and larvae. (Photo by Dan DiNicola)

Her Work

Recent studies suggest that oil toxicity may cause cardiovascular and morphological abnormalities in the embryonic and larval stages of developing fish. These sublethal effects of oil exposure may have subtle, yet ecologically significant, long-term consequences on entire fish populations. Christina is currently focused on understanding factors that affect developing embryos’ buoyancy, a critical aspect of their survival that helps promote dispersal and positioning of hatched larvae in the food-laden upper water column.

Stereomicroscope images of early life stage mahi-mahi at different developmental periods. The embryos (top) are 2 days post-fertilization and a few hours away from hatch, while the larvae (bottom left and right) are 2-3 days post-hatch. (Image by Christina Pasparakis)

Christina conducts exposure experiments on mahi-mahi at early developmental life stages using varying concentrations and types of oil (such as surface oil or source oil) and different environmental stressors, such as UV radiation, temperature, and salinity. She then quantifies changes in embryonic buoyancy over time, measures their sinking rate and nitrogenous waste excretion, and uses optical and imaging systems to assess oxygen consumption, cardiac function, and overall development. “All of these variables have significant implications for fish survival and growth to later life-stages,” explained Christina. “For example, embryos sinking down the water column earlier in development could place them in unfavorable conditions for hatching and post-hatch feeding and may increase predation risk.”

So far, Christina’s research has found that larvae who were exposed to oil as embryos displayed increased oxygen consumption rates, indicating elevated metabolic rates and the potential for corresponding increases in energy depletion. She observed depletions in embryonic mahi-mahi yolk sacs, the sole energy substrates for most developing fish embryos, which confirmed the projected energy depletion. Her results are the first to demonstrate increased energy demand and energy depletion in oil-exposed fish embryos and larvae.

Christina at the University of Miami-sponsored Ocean Kid’s Day, a program that invites children from low-performing, high-needs elementary schools to participate in a day of marine science adventures. Here, she shows a young girl how early life stages of live mahi-mahi look under a microscope. (Photo by Elena Papademetriou)

Her Learning

Christina’s Ph.D. research has taught her the importance of creating a strong foundation of knowledge and expertise before jumping into an experiment. Troubleshooting the oxygen-sensing system she used to measure oxygen consumption was a long, tedious, and often frustrating process that did not produce any useable results. Reflecting on that process today, however, she has a much different perspective. “Those months of troubleshooting and method development were arguably some of the most valuable and character building experiences of my Ph.D.,” she explained. “It helped me test my boundaries and taught me that creativity and improvisation are critical skills in science.”

Christina believes in the importance of investing in future scientists. She initially found training and supervising undergraduate volunteers in the Grosell lab especially challenging and asked for a different lab duty. However, Grosell insisted that a person can only excel by improving on their weaknesses and assigned her even more undergraduates – it was ultimately one of the most fulfilling aspects of her Ph.D. “I learned how to be simultaneously critical and motivating and became a much more qualified mentor and teacher,” she said. “Watching my current undergraduate volunteer grow as a scientist and conduct experiments alone has been very rewarding and has solidified my passion to teach in the future.”

Participation in outreach activities with local students through the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has been an important part of Christina’s growth. She volunteered with Ocean Kids, a University of Miami-sponsored program that introduces at-risk grade school students to science. She also helped with Women in Science Day to inspire young girls to pursue scientific careers. “My volunteer activities provided an effective way to motivate younger generations to care about the sustainability and preservation of our ocean and fisheries,” said Christina. “I believe spreading knowledge about the destructive consequences of environmental catastrophes such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will help prevent these disasters from happening in the future and better prepare us for when they do occur.”

Her Future

Christina wants a career that will allow her to study, learn, and teach about oceans and their ability to adapt and recover during periods of rapid environmental change. She hopes to continue spreading awareness about the current state of marine ecosystems and how global climate change, increased pollution, and environmental disasters risk oceans’ sustainability and diverse marine life. “Motivation requires optimism,” she concluded. “Despite recent studies displaying dire projections for the future, we must find a way to focus on the positive and believe in the resilience of nature.”

Praise for Christina
Dr. Grosell noted that, in addition to pursuing her own research, Christina plays a central role in numerous collaborative projects with visiting scientists and University of Miami colleagues. “The ability to develop equipment and techniques for sophisticated measurements is a hallmark of an outstanding Ph.D. student. In Christina, these skills are combined with strong writing skills, and she consistently connects well with broad audiences,” said Grosell. “I view Christina as an exceptionally strong young scientist with immense potential.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Christina Pasparakis and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the RECOVER website to learn more about their work.

Sea Grant Releases Brochure on Oil Spill and Fish Lesions

Click image to download PDF…

The Sea Grant Oil Spill Outreach Team released a new informational brochure about the connection of Deepwater Horizon and fish lesions reported in the winter following the spill. The team reviewed published science and worked with experts to develop this brochure for a broad range of audiences, particularly those who live and work across the Gulf Coast.

The brochure Skin Lesions in Fish: Was There a Connection to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill? explains what fish skin lesions are, what factors might cause lesions, and what fish lesion data can tell us about the oil spill.

The Sea Grant Oil Spill Outreach Team offers public seminars across the Gulf Coast. Click here to view upcoming science seminars and read about recently-held events. To receive email updates about seminars, publications, and the outreach team, click here.

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GoMRI and the Sea Grant programs of the Gulf of Mexico (Florida, Mississippi-Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas) have partnered to create an oil spill science outreach program.

Grad Student Max Weber Fishes for Insight into Deep-Pelagic Fish Taxonomy

Max removes tissue from a fish for future genetic analysis aboard the RV Point Sur. (Provided by Max Weber)

There are hundreds of deep-pelagic fish species in the Gulf of Mexico, but we know very little about their taxonomy, diversity, and population sizes. Max Weber plans to catch fifteen individual specimens of each of the 500 known deep-sea Gulf fish species to help us better understand these organisms and how the Deepwater Horizon oil spill may have impacted them and environment.

Max is a marine biology master’s student at Texas A&M University (TAMU) and a GoMRI Scholar with the DEEPEND consortium.

His Journey

Max’s desire to become a scientist started with his childhood obsession with dinosaurs, and he told others that he was going to be a paleontologist. “When I got a little older I realized that, while dinosaurs were still amazing, I preferred animals that were not extinct,” Max laughed. His interest turned to marine life and he became, and continues to be, an avid fisherman, motivated by his desire to catch new fish species.

He pursued his scientific interests as an undergraduate at Tulane University where he earned degrees in ecology and evolutionary biology. Prior to pursuing graduate school, he gained real-world experience and skills working with organizations such as San Diego Zoo’s Desert Tortoise Conservation Center and the Houston Audubon Society. The Society’s conservation director Richard Gibbons introduced him to TAMU’s Ron Eytan after discovering Max’s interest in fishery science. “Dr. Eytan offered me a position to work with DEEPEND,” Max said. “This presented a unique opportunity to work with amazing fish from the deep-sea environment that are rarely seen.”

His Work

Max presents his research on deep-sea fish genetic diversity at the 2016 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference in Tampa, Florida. (Provided by Max Weber)

The remote and extreme physical conditions of the deep-sea environment have inhibited our understanding of deep-sea organisms’ biology and diversity. Scientists have some information about many deep-sea species from a handful of samples, which is rarely enough to understand their taxonomic relationships. Max explained that he is searching for DNA evidence that will help them learn more. “For example, males, females, and juveniles of the family Cetomimidae, usually called whalefishes, are strikingly different and were traditionally classified as three separate families of fish,” Max explained. “DNA evidence finally revealed the true nature of their relationship to one another.”

He and his colleagues collect fish specimens using a Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS), a towed system of multiple automated nets that sample at specific depths. Max identifies the fishes caught, removes some tissue for gene sequencing, and keeps the rest of the fish as a voucher specimen. Back at the lab, he sequences portions of the mitochondrial genome to provide a standard DNA barcode for each sample.

Max explained that this genetic sequencing provides invaluable information and described the project’s first sequences as “a big milestone” and the foundation of his research. His analysis is revealing that a number of species may in fact be cryptic, meaning that they are actually two or three similar species that have been mistakenly classified as the same. He will use the gene sequencing data to investigate patterns of genetic and species diversity and changes in population size over time. This information will help illuminate long-term trends in the Gulf’s deep-sea environment.

His Learning

Anoplogaster cornuta or common fangtooth (Provided by Max Weber).

When beginning his research, Max found himself unexpectedly moved by the contents of the team’s first trawl. “I had seen some of the fish in photos before the cruise, but that was the first time I had encountered any of those rare fish in person,” he said. “As a group, deep-sea fishes are incredible and so different than what you see in other environments.”

He also emphasized the importance of perseverance in scientific research, explaining that lab procedures that have been perfected on common fishes do not always translate well to deep-sea populations. “One thing I am consistently learning is that science may not always go right the first time you try,” he said. “It is critical to have a good attitude and be persistent when your methods require several rounds of adjustment.”

His Future

Echiostoma barbatum (Provided by Max Weber).

Max is considering the possibility of pursuing a Ph.D. and hopes to ultimately find a job in fisheries. “I could go with industry- or university-based fisheries jobs but am leaning towards something in the sphere of a government agency,” he said. Max will complete his fourth research cruise in August and receive another round of sequence data shortly afterwards. He plans to continue analyzing this new data and complete his thesis by spring 2017.

Praise for Max

Max prepares for a dive. (Provided by Max Weber)

Dr. Ron Eytan, assistant professor of marine biology at TAMU Galveston, said that Max impressed everyone with the way he immersed himself in DEEPEND’s team, “Max walked into this project from day one without any background in genetics and took to it wholeheartedly with enthusiasm and confidence.” Eytan said it became apparent on Max’s first research cruise that he would push himself to his mental and physical limits to do what the project needed. “He walked in there; he didn’t get seasick; and he commenced to be on his feet for hours and hours taking genetic samples from fish having never done it before,” Eytan said. “He worked like a champ, and he’s done that every cruise since.”

Max’s work with deep sea species and genetic diversity expands and supports research that Eytan and other DEEPEND scientists are doing with fish genetics overall. “We know nothing about [the species Max investigates] whatsoever,” Eytan said. “His work will make a major contribution to our understanding about how genetic diversity works in the deep sea.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Max Weber and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals. Visit the DEEPEND website to learn more about their work.

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Video: Invasion of the Lionfish

Will Patterson at Dauphin Island Sea Lab studies reef fish communities and the dramatic effect the non-native lionfish are having on native fish populations.

The creators of award-winning environmental series Journey to Planet Earth (hosted by Matt Damon) present Dispatches from the Gulf – an upcoming documentary film and educational outreach initiative highlighting exclusive scientific discoveries in health, ecosystems, innovation and recovery in the post-oil spill Gulf of Mexico.

Share your thoughts at the following “Dispatches from the Gulf” Social Media links:

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“Dispatches from the Gulf” is a new Journey to Planet Earth (J2PE) episode showing how scientists confront the challenges of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The documentary also investigates the impact of the event on the ecosystems and communities along the Gulf of Mexico.

J2PE dramatizes new ways of looking at the delicate relationship between people and the world they inhabit. The series is designed to help viewers understand and cope with the most important environmental issues of the 21st century.

Through an interdisciplinary approach, these programs reach beyond the physical sciences and draw connections to politics, economics, sociology, and history. A common thread runs throughout — the necessity to achieve a balance between the needs of people and the needs of the environment. Though photographed on different continents and focusing on different sets of problems, audiences come to see why all of these stories are connected, providing a dramatic mosaic of how the Earth works as an interrelated system.

Video: Watermen of the Gulf

Fisherfolk share their feelings about working and living along the Gulf of Mexico.

Share your thoughts at the following “Dispatches from the Gulf” Social Media links:

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Video: The Mud and Blood Cruise – The Whole Story

The R/V Weatherbird embarks on a two-week research cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Its mission is to collect and analyze fish and soil samples near the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Dave Hollander and Steve Murawski from the University of South Florida lead the team of oceanographers. The research is divided into two phases: 1) blood = studying fish communities; 2) mud = coring for sediment samples.

Share your thoughts at the following “Dispatches from the Gulf” Social Media links:

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Video: What Happens to Fish When There’s an Oil Spill

The video briefly describes how oil exposure can affect a fish’s heart, senses, and swimming ability and what that could mean for its survival.

Visit RECOVER’s Social Media pages!

Lesson Plan: “Taking Science Deeper” Deep-Sea Activities (K-6)

Images and content credit: DEEPEND Consortium

The Deep-Pelagic Nekton Dynamics (DEEPEND) Consortium has created lesson plans for “Taking Science Deeper” Activities.

Book 1: Introduction to the Deep Sea
Book 2: Deep-Sea Animals
Book 3: Hagfish Day!
Book 4: Ocean Currents and Pollution Awareness

For additional educational materials from DEEPEND, click here.

Researchers Seek New Insights from Decades-Old Spill

Undergraduate students Nichole Clark (left) and Rachael Kalin (right) transfer a sediment core aboard R/V Justo Sierra. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

The Ixtoc I blowout happened in the Bay of Campeche over thirty-five years ago, so why are scientists studying this spill now? Because understanding what happened to Ixtoc I oil may help predict if and how Deepwater Horizon oil will degrade, persist, and impact northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystems over the next few decades.

A Little Background

The 1979 – 1980 Ixtoc I wellhead erupted in 56 meters of water and released 3.5 million barrels of oil into the southern Gulf of Mexico. This spill is an important historical analog for the more recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the northern Gulf. Both spills affected coastal and deep-water biological systems as oil moved through the water column to the sea surface, causing widespread slicks that were treated with dispersants.

Martín Ramírez, Shannon O’Leary, and Kristina Deak collect samples from a fish caught aboard R/V Weatherbird II. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

In 2015, researchers with the Center for the Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Gulf Ecosystems II (C-IMAGE II) completed two expeditions covering over 11,000 kilometers in the southern Gulf using the R/V Justo Sierra and the R/V Weatherbird II. The team collected sediment cores, water samples, and fish tissues for the first-ever assessment of fish health and sediment contamination across Gulf habitats. This expanded record will provide much-needed baseline information if there are future spills or other environmental events and provides comparative data between Ixtoc I and Deepwater Horizon events.

Chief-scientist David Hollander and researcher Isabel Romero discuss R/V Justo Sierra’s anticipated path through the Gulf of Mexico. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

Challenges…

Both expeditions required customs clearance for sampling equipment and permission to collect scientific samples within Mexico’s federally-enforced marine exclusion zone around the Ixtoc-I site. Over thirty researchers from seven countries needed visas and customs clearances prior to departure. Once underway, the teams experienced several unexpected weather events as they traveled long distances to obtain the samples. Principle Investigator Steve Murawski stated:

The collaboration of the US State Department, the Mexican State Department (SRE), the Mexican State oil company PEMEX, and several other agencies was critical to the success of these expeditions.

Researchers on the R/V Weatherbird II collected “ear stones” or otoliths (pictured) and other biological materials from fish to gather information about their development. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

…and Successes

Despite complications, the teams exceeded their expedition goals. Researchers collected sediment cores from 70 sites (14 – 3,200 meters depth), including several less than 5 kilometers from the Ixtoc I site and along the western Gulf (south of Texas), Campeche, and Yucatan Peninsula coasts. They collected over 700 fish from 25 stations in Mexico’s territorial sea. Scientists collected almost 5,000 blood, bile, and tissue samples (muscle, liver, fin ray, eye, and otoliths) from dominant Gulf of Mexico species like red snapper and golden tilefish, more than 400 ichthyologic photos, and 22 plankton samples. They also collected water samples from all sediment-coring sites and while in transit from Tuxpan, Mexico, to St. Petersburg, Florida – the Gulf’s longest axis.

Researchers on the R/V Justo Sierra and crew look on as Patrick Schwing transfers a sample from the sediment corer. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

Cruise coordinator and R/V Justo Sierra co-chief scientist Patrick Schwing commented:

The real success story is how well the science party and the R/V Justo Sierra crew functioned as a team. I am grateful for all the hard hours that everyone worked. By the second site, the entire science team had the deck and laboratory operations down to…well…a science.

Adolfo Gracia, the R/V Weatherbird II’s science lead for Universidad National Autónoma de Mexico, stated:

We can hardly wait to see the findings and compare them with existing data of sediment oil and biological analyses recorded in the Ixtoc I area.

R/V Weatherbird II crew members cast longlines to catch prominent species of Gulf fish for sampling. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

David Hollander, the R/V Justo Sierra chief-scientist, said:

This research has the potential to reveal new and exciting results that provide a better understanding of long-term chemical and ecologic impacts and allow us to better predict the recovery times of impacted benthic environments in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Preliminary research is already revealing the value of these expeditions. A previous C-IMAGE study discovered evidence that marine snow connected to Deepwater Horizon created a mechanism for oiled particles to reach the seafloor. Initial analyses suggest a similar event may have occurred around the Ixtoc I site and may have affected benthic marine life. Researchers will compare tilefish captured off the Veracruz coastline, the most likely resting place for Ixtoc I oil, to catches near the Deepwater Horizon site and unpolluted areas in the northern and southern Gulf. They can use these data to establish if tilefish experience heavy PAH exposure in the entire Gulf or just near Deepwater Horizon.

David Hollander and Isabel Romero show a sediment core they collected. The core will be cut open and analyzed to determine the composition of Gulf sediment at different points in history. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

What’s Next?

While C-IMAGE II researchers are still seeking a sample of unweathered Ixtoc-I oil, the samples collected during these expeditions will jumpstart our understanding of this spill. Future analyses will identify chemical and biological changes in the sediment cores, such as shifting redox conditions, changes in benthic meiofauna abundance and diversity, and changes in microbial communities. Researchers will also assess fish stock health by determining PAH compound concentrations in fish and looking for genomic responses and sublethal symptoms related to long-term environmental hydrocarbon exposure. Water samples will provide researchers a rich dataset of water quality, dissolved and particulate organic matter inputs, plankton densities, and concentrations of tiny plastic particles for use in future studies.

Brittany Verbeke removes a sediment core from R/V Weatherbird II’s sampling equipment. (Provided by C-IMAGE)

C-IMAGE’s efforts to uncover new information about fish and oil spill-impacted sediments will help society better understand past spills and better respond to future spills. This research is a significant step toward increased knowledge about the southern and northern Gulf and the Ixtoc I and Deepwater Horizon spill sites. C-IMAGE plans to continue offshore sediment and fish sampling from Mexico through Texas to Louisiana during summer 2016.

Learn More!

These podcasts provide audio stories about this research:

These study summaries provide findings from recent C-IMAGE research:

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This research was made possible in part by a grant from the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) to the Center for the Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Gulf Ecosystems II (C-IMAGE II) consortium.

Grad Student Chancellor Estimates Deepwater Horizon Impacts on Larval Fish

Emily holds a burr fish from a class research trip in Tampa Bay as part of her USF Fish Biology course. (Photo provided by Emily Chancellor)

Emily Chancellor is applying her engineering and computer science background to a field that inspires her – marine science – focusing on how the oil spill may have impacted larval fish populations.

Emily recently completed her masters in marine resource assessment at the University of South Florida (USF) and is a GoMRI scholar with the C-IMAGE Consortium. She discussed her journey from engineering to marine science and what she has learned along the way.

Her Path

Splitting her time as a child between Vero Beach, Florida, and the Chesapeake Bay, Emily felt attached to the water, loving coastal life and fresh seafood. Her academic interests included math and computer science, so she entered the Industrial Engineering Program at Georgia Tech University. Working in logistics, procurement, and manufacturing, she continued to grow her coding skills and looked for a way to use those skills to solve environmental problems.

Emily was especially interested in the United Nations’s reported worldwide fisheries depletion. She applied to the USF marine science graduate program to study under Dr.Steven Murawski, a fisheries biologist and marine ecologist and the Director of the C-IMAGE Consortium. Emily had not taken a biology class since early high school, but Murawski saw that her math and computer background could contribute to his team’s work investigating the potential oil spill impacts on Gulf of Mexico fisheries.

Emily was grateful for this opportunity and for Murawski’s vision of how a marine science grad student with no biology background could fit in his research program. Emily laughed, “I’m his engineering experiment.”

Her work

Emily Chancellor on board the April 2013 R/V Bellows plankton collection cruise. The USF College of Marine Science and the University of Miami at RSMAS collaboratively assessed the impact of oil on Florida marine ecosystems. (Photo credit: Tess Rivenbark)

The experiment has paid off. Emily spent three years completing an exhaustive study of the spill’s potential impact on ichthyoplankton – better known as fish larvae. She used the computer programs MATLAB and ArcGIS to map larval populations’ distributions with locations where scientists documented surface oil in the Gulf.

Emily began the project using SEAMAP data, a 30-year record of fisheries populations in the northern Gulf, and defined larval distributions for 115 fish taxa. She used these distributions to predict the proportion of larval fish by taxon that were potentially exposed to oil. These proportions often matched known spawning distributions. For example, her model showed that fourteen percent of the spring-spawning Bluefin tuna may have interacted with oil, while none of winter-spawning menhaden did.

“Larval fish are sensitive to low amounts of oil,” Emily explained, “so we can assume the proportion exposed to oil experienced lethal or sublethal effects. It is possible that we could see a similar proportion decline in future adult populations for that year class as a result.”

The University of Miami’s Dr. Claire Paris, an associate professor of ocean science and a C-IMAGE co-Principal Investigator, helped Emily extend the project to create a model to test other spill scenarios. Claire Paris’ lab used their Connectivity Modeling System to simulate two hypothetical oil spills, one occurring in the western Gulf and the other on the west Florida slope, and estimated the proportions of at-risk fish larvae. Both simulated scenarios showed higher proportions of exposure and, therefore, greater potential fisheries’ impact than the Deepwater Horizon spill. Emily’s model will be a useful tool to gauge possible impacts to larval fish in other hypothetical or future oil spills.

Her learning

Emily, wearing the safety gear sometimes necessary for fieldwork, hopes her research will contribute to a better understanding of how Gulf oil interacted with larval fish. (Photo provided by Emily Chancellor)

“I’ve been lucky to attend three GoMRI oil spill conferences,” said Emily, who gave an oral presentation on her research at the 2015 meeting. She said that preparing for and giving that presentation was a big challenge, but it was also a great help for preparing her master’s thesis defense. Coming from a technical background, she never considered herself a strong writer. Murawski and others helped improve her skills, assisting with revisions of her presentations and thesis until she felt both accurately portrayed her work.

Emily credited other scientists as a key to her success, such as Dr. Joanne Lyczkowski-Shultz at NOAA who went to great lengths helping her interpret the SEAMAP data.

Emily recommended that undergraduates interested in advancing their science education should research the specific advisors as much as the programs. “Look at the work he or she has done – does it interest you? You will be working on their projects, so it’s important that your interests mesh,” Emily said. She added, “I got so lucky with Dr. Murawski – he’s the best advisor I could have hoped for.”

Her future

Emily works the USF outreach booth at the international Blue Ocean Film Festival in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo credit: Sherryl Gilbert)

Emily will soon start work on her Ph.D. at USF with Murawski helping to design her new project. She wants to continue using her math and computing skills to better understand the current state of the Gulf. When she finishes her doctorate, she plans to work in government or private industry or wherever she can best focus on preserving our marine resources.

Praise for Emily

Emily (far right) and other C-IMAGE student researchers share their research with the public at the St. Petersburg Science Festival. (Photo provided by the C-IMAGE Consortium)

Steven Murawski said that he is very happy with his decision to take a chance on such a non-traditional student. “Emily has some unique skills honed from her engineering background that fit well with our desire to quantify oil spill impacts,” he said. “Not many people in this life decide to make such radical changes in their professional goals and aspirations. Emily has done exceptionally well in coming up to speed as an ocean scientist while applying her engineering skills to the problems she has researched.”

He continued, “I very much look forward to working with Emily as she completes her education and all it portends for her future as an ocean scientist. The sky is the limit for her – or I should say the ocean!”

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The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Emily Chancellor and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals.

This research was made possible in part by a grant from The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) to the Center for Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Gulf Ecosystems (C-IMAGE).

Grad Student Dasgupta Assesses Oil and Dispersant Toxicity to Fish DNA and Mortality

Subham conducts an ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase or EROD assay to measure the activity of the detoxifying enzyme CYP1A1 under PAH exposure. (Provided by Subham Dasgupta)

Subham Dasgupta’s dedication to understanding oil and dispersant toxicology stems from his roots in India. Having grown up in a community where fishes are an important part of the diet, his research assessing oil and dispersant exposure’s effect on fish health has a special importance for him.

“Oil spills can affect marine organisms, including the fish we eat,” he says. “This is particularly important for my country, which is surrounded on three sides by the sea. I hope that my research will help inform responders’ cleanup decisions and uncover new information about dispersed oil’s potential impacts on marine organisms.”

Subham is a marine sciences Ph.D. student at Stony Brook University and a GoMRI Scholar with the project Characterizing the Composition and Biogeochemical Behavior of Dispersants and Their Transformation Products in Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ecosystems. He shares his research and the important lessons he has learned from it.

His Path

As an undergraduate student at Presidency College (now University) in Kolkata, India, Subham was unsure of his direction. It was not until he began an environmental sciences master’s degree that he discovered his love for research. The many paths available to answer scientific questions and the possibility for collaboration across multiple disciplines excited him. His involvement with several research projects near Kolkata led him to pursue a Ph.D. in aquatic toxicology.

“I applied to programs in the United States because the education system and research quality are well-known,” Subham said. He connected with Dr. Anne McElroy, an aquatic toxicology professor with the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences graduate program. His work in her lab initially focused on analyzing the impacts of oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure on the embryos of Japanese rice fish (also known as the medaka or Japanese killifish Oryzias latipes).

His Work

Subham’s comet assay technique measures DNA damage under different oil and dispersant component exposures. Results appear as “comets” such as this, where the “head” of the comet represents nucleoid with intact DNA and the “tail” represents damaged DNA that has migrated out due to electrophoresis. (Provided by Subham Dasgupta)

When McElroy joined a GoMRI-funded research group led by Mississippi State University’s Darrell Sparks, Subham’s research shifted to investigate the toxicity of Corexit 9500 and 9527 dispersants and their major components to sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) embryos and larvae. He evaluated Corexit-exposed larvae and examined the impact of low concentrations of the surfactant DOSS on larvae survival and possible correlation of DOSS and other solvents with DNA damage.

Subham is now investigating potential toxicity amplification in fish under hypoxic conditions combined with Corexit and oil exposure. “Hypoxia is an increasing concern in coastal areas with river discharge,” he said. “River waters carry nutrients from fertilizers that can trigger phytoplankton blooms. The increased microbial activity leads to reductions in dissolved oxygen in the water. The Northern Gulf of Mexico has an expanding area of seasonal hypoxia.” His studies with sheepshead minnow larvae are indicating that Corexit and water-soluble oil components may stimulate an increased production of CYP1A, an enzyme that assists the transformation of PAHs into less-toxic compounds that the fish can expel. However, hypoxic conditions may reduce CYP1A activity, potentially contributing to accumulation of oil and dispersant components in fishes and posing a greater risk to aquatic organisms.

His Learning

Subham (right) poses with Anne McElroy (left) and a high school summer research fellow, who enjoyed working with Subham and McElroy so much that he created matching t-shirts for the group. (Provided by Anne McElroy)

Studying numerous compounds contained in oil and dispersants, Subham has become more aware of different ways to approach an experiment and found that a study’s path is often unpredictable. “You can’t always look at it from the linear perspective that A will lead to B. A might lead to B, C, and D, and it’s exciting how that works out,” he says. Communicating with other researchers has exposed him to new scientific techniques and perspectives that have helped advance his research. “I had good success incorporating some methods I heard about at last year’s Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference into my work,” he said. “There are many ways to look at the same problem, and that is what I love.”

One of the most important lessons Subham has learned from his advisor is that scientific research requires patience. “I’ve never seen her frown or complain, and that showed me that I need to be patient with what I’m doing,” he explains. Experiments can fail as often as they succeed, and he believes that scientists should not view failures negatively. Instead, he focuses on brainstorming new ways to solve problems. “I think focusing on overcoming your failures teaches you something about life,” he says. “You can’t always expect the best – sometimes you have to deal with the worst to get the best.”

Subham’s journey has confirmed for him that students considering a career in science should pursue science because they want to, not because they think they should. “Like all fields, science is full of pluses and minuses, happiness and disappointment, success and failure,” he says. “It’s not as if you come into the field and immediately have success. It’s hard work.” Subham finds that as long as you love your field, the struggles will always be worth it.

His Future

After completing his Ph.D., Subham would like to serve in a post-doc position and continue in academia as a researcher and professor. Ultimately, he wants to return to India and help develop the marine science and toxicology field using his education and experience. “For a country surrounded by water and influenced by a large number of major rivers, the study of aquatic toxicology needs to be better developed. Given the opportunity, I would love to execute my training back in India – hopefully that will happen.”

Praise for Subham

Subham’s advisor, Dr. Anne McElroy, said that he is dedicated to his research and described him as extremely enthusiastic, unfailingly optimistic, and willing to do whatever is required to meet his research goals. “A comet assay technique that Subham adapted for use on sheepshead minnow larvae allowed us to detect direct DNA damage and demonstrate that oxygenated PAHs have similar if not greater genotoxicity than parent PAHs,” she says. McElroy is excited about his future as a scientist, explaining that Subham’s broad interests give her confidence that he will go far.

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Subham Dasgupta and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals.

Visit the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Science website to learn more about their work.

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This research was made possible in part by a grant from BP/The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) to the project Characterizing the Composition and Biogeochemical Behavior of Dispersants and Their Transformation Products in Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ecosystems. The GoMRI is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.

Grad Student Harper Seeks to Improve Marine and Human Health with Science-Informed Policy

Alex Harper collects seawater samples from CTD Rosette Niskin bottles aboard R/V Weatherbird II. (Photo credit: Natalie Geyers)

Alexandra Harper, a passionate environmental advocate, is using her oceanography expertise to help “society better balance human need with ecological health.”

She is researching the potential relationship between the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and mercury levels in Gulf of Mexico fishes. Because rises in methyl mercury levels in fish increase chances of these toxins making their way into human diets, Alex hopes to advance scientific knowledge to inform future consumption warnings and environmental policies.

Alex is a Chemical Oceanography Ph.D. student at Florida State University (FSU) and is a GoMRI scholar with Deep-C. She shares her path of advocacy and research and her hopes for the future.

Her Path

Alex’s interest in environmental health began during her childhood in the Florida panhandle. Local groundwater quality was deteriorating because of faulty waste disposal and poor land management, practices that could eventually destroy the home she lovingly describes as “a watery wilderness marked by hundreds of crystal-clear freshwater springs and prehistoric cypress trees.” Seeing this first-hand has fueled her “lifelong commitment to protecting, conserving, and restoring our natural world.”

Alex Harper collects seawater samples from CTD Rosette Niskin bottles aboard R/V Weatherbird II. (Photo credit: Natalie Geyers)

However, Alex’s fight for the environment did not begin with the sciences. As a young college graduate, her early profession focused on social change to reshape and restore environmental land ethics. She interned for the U.S. Congress, first with her local Tallahassee congressman and then for Senator John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) press office. After a series of political and environmental campaigns, Alex became disillusioned with the adversarial nature of political and legal arenas and returned to school to study oceanography and strengthen her analytical and field skills. To support herself, she worked part time sampling storm water for a local ecologist. Alex now spends the majority of her time in a geochemistry lab as a doctoral student and the more she learns, the more her environmental concerns grow. She remains active in local clean water initiatives as she volunteers with Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Campaign.

Alex says that her research on mercury in the marine environment was “the result of pure opportunity.” A United States Geological Survey (USGS) Water Science Center researcher affiliated with FSU’s Oceanography Department had an opening for a graduate research intern to work with its new mercury analyzer. Meanwhile, one of Dr. Jeff Chanton’s Ph.D. students moved into a postdoc position, leaving behind enough fish samples for a rigorous mercury study. Alex had recently entered the FSU masters’ program in Environmental Science under Chanton, and he felt she was the perfect fit for the USGS lab vacancy.

Her Work

Alex Harper transports bottles of collected seawater samples across a crowded laboratory on the R/V Weatherbird II. The science crew included researchers from University of South Florida, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the USGS and the University of Delaware. (Photo credit: Natalie Geyers)

Public health concerns regarding mercury exposure and understanding the pathways of mercury accumulation into the food chain are important to Alex’s work. Mercury is a pervasive heavy metal in the environment and is most commonly found as methyl mercury in the fish we eat. She explains that the ecological and health effects of mercury pollution are “greatly exacerbated by environmental transformation of the less harmful forms of mercury to the extremely toxic methyl mercury compound.” With fish consumption advisories continuously expanding to include more fish species and stricter consumption guidelines, Alex says “there is no avoiding the sense of importance of such scientific pursuits, the results of which might help shape policy.”

When the Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred, Alex knew she wanted to research its impacts on mercury concentrations in Gulf fish. Chanton became immediately involved with oil spill research as a Principle Investigator on several GoMRI Block Grants and later as a Co-PI with Deep-C and ECOGIG grants. And thus Alex’s opportunity – being at the right place and time and working with leading scientists – enabled her to make valuable contributions to Deep-C, tracing methyl mercury production and bioaccumulation to “understand the precise effect of the oil spill on mercury concentrations and isotope ratios in an array of northern Gulf of Mexico fish species.” Alex sees her research in the context of the larger picture, “In order to restore the Gulf and protect it from future spills, we must first understand the impacts of Deepwater Horizon.”

Her Learning

Alex is extremely grateful for the foundational work that Deep-C and GoMRI have given her, “The research cruises have allowed me to acquire an array of field skills, from formulating cruise plans to sampling techniques to the daily operations. These have been experiences of a lifetime!” Alex has also honed her communication skills by participating at Deep-C all-hands meetings and annual Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science conferences, “I now have ample experience preparing and presenting research presentations and posters which is something all scientists must do.” These meetings have also given her valuable opportunities to learn about and compare research of related fields and to discuss her work with other scientists.

Her Future

Alex Harper and Cheston Peterson, a Ph.D. Marine Biology student, show off an Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) while conducting research as part of the NOAA Gulf Shark Pupping and Nursery (GulfSPAN) Survey. (Photo credit: Dean Grubbs)

This fall, Alex will begin her third year as a chemical oceanography Ph.D. student. Her goal is to complete sample analyses by the end of summer so she can focus on data analyses, formulating results, and writing her dissertation. Her hypothesis is that spill-induced organic loading fosters conditions in the deep Gulf for increased methyl mercury production and accumulation into fish tissue. Through her work, Alex hopes to contribute to “the collective understanding of the Gulf’s mercury cycle and how future oil spills might impact fish mercury levels.”

Alex wants to work on water quality issues with a government or non-profit agency after graduation and “to devote [her] academic and professional pursuits to improving the conservation and management of the northern Gulf of Mexico.”

Praise for Alexandra Harper

Dr. Chanton and her co-advisor, Dr. William Landing, commend Alex’s enthusiasm, dedication, and determination as well as being bright, poised and personable. Chanton said, “I immediately recognized her potential,” seeing the value of her combined pursuit of law, policy, and environmental science. Chanton noted that Alex has flourished during her work at the USGS where she became the primary user and maintainer of the USGS mercury analyzer. Working with Landing, a mercury expert, Alex has “found an association between areas with high organic matter loading in seagrass beds and increased methyl mercury content in seagrass fish.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Alex Harper and their important contributions. TheGoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals.

Visit the Deep-C website to learn more about their work.

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This research was made possible in part by a grant from BP/The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) to theDeepsea to Coast Connectivity in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (Deep-C) consortium. The GoMRI is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.

Grad Student Snyder Cites Integrated Sciences as Key to Success

Susan poses with a large golden tilefish. (Photo credit: Liz Herdter)

Susan Snyder’s experiences researching fish bile have shown her an overwhelming truth: to solve complex problems, one simply cannot work alone.

To understand her findings, Susan has found that working with different scientists such as chemists, geologists and physicists is not only helpful, it is imperative.

Susan is a master’s student at the University of South Florida and is a GoMRI scholarwith C-IMAGE. Susan reflects on her ambitious entry into oil spill research and her hopes for the future.

Her Path.

Susan Snyder pursued her field with laser focus. Her interest in the environment began as a kid living on Lake Ontario where growing environmental problems, such as invasive species and algal blooms, led her to consider studying man-made environmental issues, particularly pollution. In her search, she found that professor Steve Murawski with the University of South Florida was leading a research project on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. She emailed him and asked to be his student. Susan believes that “when you’re looking for a graduate school, you don’t choose a school; you choose the research you want to do and find the professor doing it.” To her delight, he responded, set up a meeting, and as a result, she began working with C-IMAGE. Reflecting on her journey from inexperienced undergrad to knowledgeable researcher, Susan contemplates how different her life might have been if she hadn’t pursued oil spill research. “I took a big risk emailing a professor in Florida asking if I could be his student,” she says, “and it all paid off!”

Her Work.

Susan Synder and Liz Herdter collect samples from a golden tilefish to measure PAH levels. (Photo credit: Steve Murawski)

Susan studies metabolites found in Gulf fish bile to learn if the fish ingested polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). “It’s kind of like if you were drinking alcohol, your body would metabolize those compounds into a marker that says you’ve had alcohol,” she explains. By studying fish bile metabolites, she can quantify the relative level of oil exposure. Susan and her fellow researchers are studying three species: red snapper, king snake eel, and golden tilefish, all of which live in or near the ocean floor. The team chose tilefish to look for oil exposure “because they dig burrows with their mouths and constantly ingest sediment,” explains Susan.

So far they are seeing that tilefish exhibit much higher PAH levels than the other two species. They are also seeing a decline in PAH levels over time for both red snapper and king snake eel but not for the tilefish. Seeing the study’s hypotheses confirmed was a magical moment for Susan. “We thought the tilefish would have higher levels,” she says, “but through my lab work and results, we actually saw that the levels in the golden tilefish were five to ten times higher than the other species. It was like ‘Wow! This is actually happening!’”

Susan demonstrates the size of the largest king snake eel caught (2.3 meters) during the study. (Photo credit: Steve Murawski)

Susan presented her work at the 2014 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystem Science Conference and the 2014 ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting in Honolulu. While she loves going to conferences and having discussions with the researchers whose papers she had read, Susan said that one of her most treasured experiences was that, after presenting her own research, she became the person being asked questions.

Her Learning.

Susan is encountering a variety of marine life while on C-IMAGE research cruises collecting fish samples. Some interesting creatures often come up when the crew pulls in their catch. “Sometimes it’s a snapper and other times it’s a tiger shark or a manta ray,” explained Susan. “I love seeing what’s out there.”

Through her work with C-IMAGE, Susan realizes how important different sciences are to conducting successful research. While her degrees are in Biology, much of Susan’s current work relies heavily on chemistry and lab analyses. “I went to college to study fish and pollution, but what I do on a daily basis is often completely chemistry,” Susan says. “I’ve learned a lot of ‘how to be a chemist’ and the different quality assurance procedures that come with it.” With this experience, she says “I have learned how connected everything is. I need to understand the chemistry, the geology, and the physics to understand my results with the fish,” explained Susan. Speaking about the multiple issues surrounding oil impacts, she said, “You can’t work on your own. You can’t do a thesis or publish research just by being a biologist and talking to biologists. It all works together.”

Susan and Dr. Steve Murawski collect bile samples from a king snake eel gallbladder. (Photo credit: Liz Herdter)

Her Future.

Susan just finished her second year of graduate school. After she completes her master’s thesis on her fish bile research, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. working with C-IMAGE. Susan intends to expand her research to include other fish tissues (muscle, liver, fish mucus, etc.) for information about oil toxicokinetics and sublethal effects.

Regarding her success and personal growth, “I’m a first-time scientist. I came here straight from undergrad, and it has been so great working with GoMRI and C-IMAGE,” says Susan. “It’s had a big impression on me. I feel so connected to other scientists and to the bigger picture that it’s defined both my science and the way I’ve become a scientist.”

Praise for Susan Snyder.

Susan Snyder, Kristina Deak, and Elizabeth Herdter prepare for a day of fishing and sampling. (Photo credit: Steve Murawski)

Dr. Dana Wetzel said, “I am very proud of Susan—she has accomplished a lot and has been an extremely hard working student who quickly learned new techniques for research and adapted them for her work. I look forward to Susan’s discoveries!”

Dr. Steve Murawski, excited to continue his work with Susan, said, “I cannot say enough good things about her! She has apassion for learning and has devoted much of the past two years to honing her analytical chemistry and fish biology skills. She has blossomed into a very competent researcher.”

The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Susan Snyder and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Programrecognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals.

Visit the C-IMAGE web site to learn more about their work.

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This research was made possible in part by a grant from BP/The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) to theCenter for Integrated Modeling and Analysis of Gulf Ecosystems (C-IMAGE). The GoMRI is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit http://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.

Class Project: Monitoring Gulf Coast Fisheries

Researchers conduct longline surveys, sampling red snapper and other fish, to monitor oil spill impacts. Photo credit: DISL

Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, NGI funded researchers increased the frequency and expanded the coverage of monthly sampling programs across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Data collected by Dauphin Island Sea Lab scientists after the oil spill, is being compared to historical baseline data, allowing for the potential identification of changes in the structure of these critical populations.

Classroom Activity: Mark and Recapture
Mark and recapture is a sampling technique scientists use to estimate population size. A simplified version of the mark and recapture method used in fisheries research can be done as a classroom activity.

Monitoring Gulf Coast Fisheries – PDF 1.2MB

Class Project: Impacts of Oil on Spotted Seatrout

Oil and water mixture used in exposure experiment on larval and juvenile spotted seatrout. Photo/Griffitt USM

Call them spotted seatrout, speckled trout, or even specks; whatever name you choose to call them, know they are important fish, both to the environment and the economy. Spotted seatrout live in coastal estuaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico. They, along with other estuarine species, were exposed to varying amounts of oil soon after the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Since the spill, researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Lab (GCRL) Toxicology Research Center have been trying to better understand what physical effects the oil and chemical dispersants may have had on these important fish.

Classroom Activity: How old is that fish?
Did you know scientists can tell how old a fish is by looking at its otoliths or “earstones” and counting the rings? Similar to tree rings, fish otoliths have layers that can be counted to determine age. In this activity, students will learn what otoliths are, why they are important to a fish and how scientists can study them to learn more about the life of a fish. Students can also play an interactive game to examine otoliths and age fish.

Impacts of Oil on Spotted Seatrout – PDF 1MB

Class Project: Fish Health and Oil Exposure

Dr. Edelmann’s laboratory assistants use a mass spectrometer to analyze protein samples. Photo credit: MSU

In the past, oil exposure has been associated with devastating infectious disease outbreaks in wild populations of fish. The links between these outbreaks and the oil exposure are circumstantial but they suggest an associated disruption of the immune system. Scientists at Mississippi State University hope to use state-of-the art laboratory techniques to determine if the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is affecting the health of fish populations in the Gulf of Mexico.

Classroom Activity: The Immune System
The immune system is made up of special cells, proteins, tissues and organs designed to protect our bodies from invading bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and even parasites. In most cases, the body’s immune system does a good job of preventing infection. But sometimes stressors can result in a weakened immune system. NGI scientists are examining how oil exposure may be affecting the immune response of several species of fish.

Fish Health and Oil Exposure – PDF 1.2MB

Class Project: Coastal Alabama and Mississippi Fish Communities

DISL sampling sites in coastal Mississippi and Alabama. Image credit: DISL

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig was of extreme concern to research scientists, environmental managers, and conservationists. Because of public health concerns, state and federal authorities quickly closed many areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico to recreational and commercial fishing. NGI researchers at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab immediately began studying the oil spill including what effect the closures and subsequent lack of fishing pressure had on fish populations.

Classroom Activity: Marine Protected Areas
During the oil spill, fishing bans created a temporary sanctuary (similar to a Marine Protected Area) across a large portion of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are environments that have been reserved by federal, state, territorial, tribal, or local laws or regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and cultural resources contained within. The level of protection varies from site to site depending on the desired management and conservation strategies. Information about the National MPA system can be found at http://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/nationalsystem.

Coastal Alabama and Mississippi Fish Communities – PDF 1.1MB

Ahoy! Teachers Take to the High Seas to Learn the Science of Oil Spill Research

Middle and high school teachers in Florida put on their sea legs, boarded the R/V Weatherbird II, and conducted science that matters to their students and communities.

Skype ship-to-shore video conference from deck of research vessel

Dr. Teresa Greely (L) assists C-IMAGE Chief Scientist Leslie Schwierzke-Wade (middle) as she talks with 3rd graders at Jamerson Elementary in Florida during a Skype ship-to-shore video conference. (Also pictured is scientist Heather Broadbent). (Photo by: Mary St. Denis)

Educators worked with scientists to understand the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. While gaining hands-on experience, teachers blogged and Skyped to share their learning and have others virtually join their adventures. Back on shore, teachers created classroom materials.

The Center for Integrated Modeling and Analysis of the Gulf Ecosystem (C-IMAGE) research consortium, led by the University of South Florida, hosts a Teacher at Sea Program. C-IMAGE expeditions collect marine data – from sea-surface plankton to deep-sea microbes in sediments – to answer questions about long-term oil spill impacts and understand the Gulf system.

This year’s participants were Matt MacGregor (Escambia High School), Mary St. Denis (Winter Haven High School), Elisabeth McCormack (Dunedin Highland Middle School), and Kathryn Bylsma (Dr. John Long Middle School). Their blogs depict life at sea and the academic rigor and challenges that go into planning and implementing sea experiments.

Below are a few highlights from their sea expeditions. Read more at the C-IMAGE blog Adventures at Sea: Deep Sea Fish and Sediment Surveys in the Gulf.

Teacher Elisabeth McCormack created a humorous cartoon to share science with students. (Image provided by C-IMAGE)

Teacher Elisabeth McCormack created a humorous way to share science with students. (Image provided by C-IMAGE)

Gung Ho! Enthusiastic Teachers

Teachers eagerly await their time at sea. Mary St. Denis said, “It is an exciting countdown to an adventure…to get out in the field and do science is a dream spot for many teachers like me.”

Some teachers expressed their enthusiasm through creative cartoon-style story-telling. Elizabeth McCormack created a skit filled with “characters” (real people on the vessel) and “action” (their at-sea research). Check out her Bonkers for Bongos blog !

Dr. Kendra Daly, the C-IMAGE chief scientist on the vessel was happy to have them: “The teachers were enthusiastic, hardworking, and valuable members of the science team.”

All Aboard! A Community of Active Learners

Impressive science teams are on board and their work of discovery and learning resonates with teachers, as Kathryn Blysma explains, “I am blessed to be surrounded by so many people who are avid learners… from such incredibly varied backgrounds… microbiology college students, European engineers, and graduate volunteers who enjoy…putting their skills to good use. It’s when there are interactionsbetween communities that true learning takes place.”

Preparing Niskin bottles in a CTD system

Teacher Matt MacGregor (R) and FWC scientist and graduate student, Matt Garrett prepare Niskin bottles in a CTD system. (Photo by: Teresa Greely)

That community spirit of learning and doing fosters teamwork. Blysma saw this as teams worked from early morning gathering data to late nights analyzing it: “This group has a real system down, a kind of bucket brigade where everyone takes a job or a section to be responsible for.”

Part of the learning involves sea technology. This year, C-IMAGE tested the SIPPER 4 (Shadow Image Profiler and Evaluation Recorder), a small “Rubik-cube size” underwater high resolution camera that goes deeper than earlier devices. It takes pictures of plankton and collects data on physical conditions. McCormack said the most exciting part was its internet connection ability, “That means engineers do not have to snag a spot on a research vessel to access the data, but can work with it in their lab thousands of miles away!”

College students are on board and they gave teachers insights on the value of hands-on learning. Blysma wrote about Joe, an undergraduate student, who had no interest in school until he went to an environmental center in his district. There, his whole outlook on learning changed. “[This] reminded me that each child we see is a ‘Joe’ searching for his niche. As teachers we are the wayfarers nudging and encouraging them at stages in that venture.”

All Hands on Deck! STEM in Action

Teacher Mary St. Denis (R) filters water with Dr. Teresa Greely (L) at the lab onboard the R/V Weatherbird II.

Teacher Mary St. Denis (R) filters water with Dr. Teresa Greely (L) at the lab onboard the R/V Weatherbird II. St. Denis said, “My students and I are very concerned about the effects of the Gulf Oil Spill. I am really happy to be a part of finding out more about what is happening in the Gulf.” (Photo provided by C-IMAGE)

C-IMAGE conducts interdisciplinary science to understand Gulf marine ecosystems. McCormack described how science, engineering, and technology came together with the SIPPER 4, “A scientist may know what they want to measure, but it may take the mechanical mind of an engineer to build the device that can collect that data.” Marine technicians got the equipment in and out of the water, completing a demonstration of collaborative efforts among specialists.

Teachers experienced the evolving nature of science discovery when a routine task – collecting bottles of seawater – took on greater importance, becoming as McCormack said “one of the most important missions on this cruise.” They found one sample from deep Gulf waters that looked and smelled different and determined that it contained much less salt than water from that depth does normally.

They hypothesized about freshwater sources, including the Mississippi River outflow into the Gulf. Scientists will run additional tests at their home labs and look for an explanation. McCormack said, “I feel really lucky I was out here in the Gulf when we had a mystery to solve…I got a chance to see how all of this fits together.”

Field work reminded teachers that answering big questions requires a systematic process that takes time. McCormack said they could not start with “What happened to the Gulf after the oil spill?” explaining that “It is too broad, and impossible to answer with a single measure.” She likened it to eating a steak in one bite instead of pieces and explained that the scientific method includes collecting data many times and in multiple ways before tackling the difficult job of interpreting it. “But in the end,” said McCormack, “you have data that means something….You find answers to your questions and are inspired to ask new questions and start all over again.”

Ship-to-Shore! Connecting Future Scientists

Dr. Teresa Greely Skypes with educators during a professional development session

Dr. Teresa Greely (on screen) Skypes with educators during a professional development session at the New England Aquarium during IODP Expedition 340 in the Lesser Antilles. (Photo by: Jennifer Collins, Deep Earth Academy, COL)

C-IMAGE scientists use Skype to visually and verbally share their scientific missions in real-time with the K-12 community. One online demonstration was with 90 third graders at Jamerson Elementary School in St. Petersburg, Florida. They toured the boat, saw researchers retrieve bongo nets and collect plankton samples, and spoke with science experts and crew members. St. Denis marveled, “So far this week, about 370 students have virtually sailed with us.”

Teachers in the field make an impression on students, “Wow, Miss McCormack, you really have done a lot of stuff!” McCormack reflected on this important revelation, “My goal is to encourage students to both observe and interpret the world around them…to get out there and see real science happening.” She continued, “I love bringing authentic data sets to the math classroom so I can give students an answer to their ‘why do we need to learn this” questions.’”

Educators’ use of social media grabs students’ attention. One teacher described her class’ response to a Skype session: “They got a kick out of us using Skype!…It really hit home that it is a useful tool for ‘real’ work and not just socializing!”

Dr. Daly noted that the teachers “worked around the clock,” but “still found time to create blogs and communicate with their students. We were fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers.”

Bounty! Helping the Gulf

In the midst of all the bustling ship and research activities, teachers maintained a bigger-picture perspective. Reflecting on the “bottle of seawater” mystery, McCormack connected that specific experience with a larger purpose: “Scientists have systematically collected these samples over the past three years [and] have begun to create a historical database that will allow us to develop a clearer picture of how the Gulf behaves over time.”

Blysma wrote about the importance of connecting her experience with making future generations prepared to help the Gulf: “What does all this have to do with the Deepwater Horizon event or the data being collected? It’s the study of human impact on the environment and the critical balance that has to be maintained.”

For more information about the C-IMAGE Teacher at Sea Program, contact Dr. Teresa Greely. To learn more about the Florida Institute of Oceanography’s R/V Weatherbird II, take a virtual tour.

This research was made possible in part by a Grant from BP/The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) through theCenter for Integrated Modeling and Analysis of the Gulf Ecosystem (C-IMAGE) consortium. The GoMRI is a 10-year, $500 million independent research program established by an agreement between BP and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance to study the effects of the Deepwater Horizon incident and the potential associated impact of this and similar incidents on the environment and public health.