MIT Sea Grant Collaborates with Artist Loris Gréaud, Nov 20-22, New York
Swampscott High School teachers at 'Sea Perch' workshop
2010 NOAA SBIR Request for Proposals Announced
- Marine Bioinvasions
- Coastal Resources
- Marine Habitats
The anthropogenic influences on harbors and coastal waters have been a critical theme both for Sea Grant programs in Massachusetts and throughout the nation. We will be encouraging scientific, engineering and policy research as it relates to responsible use of the coastal environment.
PI(s): Geoffrey Cowles, School for Marine Science and Technology, James Churchill, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Project Summary: The researchers are assessing the tidal energy resource off the Massachusetts Coast and evaluating the potential impact of large-scale turbine deployments on regional hydrodynamics. This project will help produce a modeling tool to determine the size and placement of turbines to optimize the level of energy extraction while keeping impacts on regional hydrodynamics below an acceptable threshold. By enhancing the information base available to decision makers, this research will also be of value in the environmental impact assessment process.
PI(s): Judith Pederson, MIT Sea Grant
Project Summary: The goal of the Center for Coastal Resources (CCR) is to provide scientific and technical information to managers, scientists, industry and the public to improve the management of natural resources. CCR's outreach activities focus on pollution and water and sediment quality; ecosystem impacts; and habitats. A variety of outreach and education activities are offered to transfer information to a broad audience, including conferences, workshops and courses on timely topics. Through CCR, students participate in ongoing research in Boston Harbor and Massachusetts and in related management and policy issues as preparation for careers in estuarine and coastal science, policy and management.
PI(s): Richard Limeburner, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Robert C. Beardsley, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Project Summary: In this project, researchers are making moored and drifter measurements to produce a tested state-of-the-art integrated ocean model system for environmental management and optimal observing system design applications in the Massachusetts coastal regions. The project is expected to increase our understanding of regional warming trends in New England coastal waters and our predictive capability with regard to marine ecosystems.
PI(s): Changsheng Chen, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Project Summary: The researchers are conducting data assimilation experiments using their newly developed integrated Massachusetts Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model. They will also refine their system to conduct marine environmental monitoring and design optimal ocean observing systems for Massachusetts waters.
PI(s): Philip Gschwend, MIT
Project Summary: This project focuses on developing an accurate method of analyzing the narcosis toxicity resulting from mixtures of hydrophobic organic compounds in sediments. This research will aid in management of sediment beds contaminated with toxic organic compounds.
PI(s): Elmer Caruso, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Project Summary: The researchers are surveying tidal wetlands on Cape Cod to learn what pathogens are contributing to the Sudden Wetland Dieback and how stress affects this phenomenon. This improved understanding of Sudden Wetland Dieback will help in the design of remediation and restoration efforts.
PI(s): Judith Pederson, MIT Sea Grant
Project Summary: Translating data into tools and information that can support ecosystem-based management is critical for the wise use of marine resources. In this project, researchers are developing a seamless database that supports the efforts of several MIT Sea Grant initiatives, with a focus on marine bioinvasions and related environmental data. This includes enhanced mapping for environmental data generated by scientists and citizens, a GIS map for Massachusetts and Northeast harbor and marina invasive species data, and a database focused on regional invasion research.
