Student Projects |
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Vincent Breslin
Project Title: Phase Association and Bioavailability of Metals in Harbor Sediment
Abstract: Partitioning of Metals on Size-Fractionated Harbor Sediment
Harbor sediments, due to the restricted water circulation and the proximity to multiple sources of industrial and municipal wastewater, are often contaminated with metals of environmental concern. Sediment metal contents vary as a function of sediment type and coastal harbors are usually characterized by a variety of sedimentary environments. The presence of contaminated sediment in Connecticut harbors is an issue of concern. Knowledge of the spatial variation of sediment metal contamination is important in prohibiting the disturbance of contaminated sediment and possible transport of contaminated sediment to clean, or less contaminated areas of harbors. Many harbors also support commercial and recreational shellfish industries and contaminated sediment may adversely affect the health and quality of living marine resources. Our research examines the spatial variation in sediment metal contents in coastal harbors. Current studies also examine the total metal concentration and the bioavailability of metals from the fine grain size fraction (silt/clay) of bulk sediment to assess the ecological consequences of the resuspension of fine grained sediment in coastal harbors.
Participating Students: |
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Joshua Conklin
Email: conklinj2@southernct.edu
Erica Ogalin
Email: ogaline1@southernct.edu
James Santanelli
Email: santanellij3@southernct.edu |
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Dwight Smith
Project Title: Monk Parakeets in Crisis: Ecological and Economic Issues in Conservation and Management |
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The Monk Parakeet is an invasive species that contributes biodiversity to otherwise bleak urban landscapes. Unfortunately, the Monk Parakeet nests on transformers cause occasional local power outages. In Fall 2005 the Connecticut UI initiated an eradication program to remove nests from transformers and destroy the birds. Wildlife organizations responded by suing UI which temporarily stopped slaughtering the birds, pending research to alleviate the problem. I am requesting funding to evaluate (1) ecological contributions of Monk Parakeets to urban environments and (2) to determine use of artificial platforms as suitable alternatives. Results may provide a management solution that will eliminate further slaughter, thereby ensuring the continued contribution of Monk Parakeets to urban wildlife diversity.
Participating Students: |
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Shalyn Zappulla
Email: zappush@yahoo.com
Anthony Magnano
Email: anthony.magnano@sbcglobal.net |
James Tait
Project Title: The Role of Grain Size in Determining Metal Contaminant Concentrations in Marine Sediments in Connecticut Harbors
Abstract: The Relationship Between Metal Concentration and Mean Grain Size in New Haven and Branford Harbors
The presence of metal contaminants in marine sediments can have significant impacts on bottom-dwelling organisms. Breslin and others have conducted high-resolution sampling of sediments in Connecticut's harbors, including Norwalk, New Haven, and Bridgeport and have found metal contamination to be significant. The spatial distribution of metal concentrations depends on sediment properties as well as sources and fluxes of contaminants. The purpose of this study is to investigate and isolate the role of sediment grain size in determining the spatial distribution of metal contaminants so that the contribution of proximity to source and magnitude of flux can be more clearly interpreted. This shall be accomplished by 1) developing laboratory capacity at SCSU for sophisticated sediment characteristic analysis (particularly grain size distribution), and 2) analyzing splits of the approximately 100 harbor sediment samples collected since 2000 by Breslin and others and to re-interpret the significance of their spatial distribution in light of the new sediment characteristics data.
Participating Students: |
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Heather Lally
Email: augustwest005@aol.com
Michael Yagid
Email: michaelyagid@gmail.com |
Sean Grace
Project Title: A Survey of the Shallow-Water Subtidal Scleractinian Corals in Long Island Sound.
Abstract: Corals in Long Island Sound? How Astrangia!
Shallow subtidal communities in Long Island Sound are exposed to physical and biological factors that affect species distribution, abundance, and ecology. One conspicuous member of this community is the temperate scleractinian coral, Astrangia poculata. Though the basic biology of this species has been documented in Narragansett Bay, little information on this coral's ecology in Long Island Sound exists. This study will be the first to examine this organism's distribution, abundance, and interactions with other organisms in the Long Island Sound. Results will provide valuable information on factors (salinity, temperature, turbidity, and competition) that influence this coral’s basic biology and ecology.
Project Title: Lobster Aging Study
Abstract: Aging the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) – Does Size Matter?
This research will determine the age of American lobster (Homarus americanus) in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) from multiple orbital carapace lengths (mm). The purpose of this research is to document the age and levels of the aging pigment lipofuscin in lobsters from the GOM. It will also aid in the management of this resource. Recent studies on western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) indicate that the aging technique proposed in this research would allow independent assessment of population parameter estimates and has shown that most juvenile lobsters are 3-5 years old immediately prior to recruitment (Sheehy 1998). Another study on the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) yielded reproducible catch age structures with year-class resolution. In addition, a recent study performed on the European Lobster demonstrated that lipofuscin quantification produced more accurate estimates of age in the species than carapace length (Huglem et. al. 2005). This finding has important implications for stock assessments that employ traditional models which include age as an input parameter (Sheehy 1996).
Participating Students: |
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Tara Driscoll
Email: driscollt2@southernct.edu
Colleen Giannini
Email: gianninic1@southernct.edu |
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