Current Search:  1971 (x) » research posters (x) » Florida (x)

View All Items

  • CSV Spreadsheet
(1 - 9 of 9)
A literature review of ocean acidification’s effect on coral calcification rates and skeletal growth.
Title
A literature review of ocean acidification’s effect on coral calcification rates and skeletal growth.
Name/Creator
Camden, Lauren
Abstract/Description
Ocean acidification is one of many threats to marine life as a result of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide being absorbed by ocean water. Anthropogenic levels of carbon dioxide have been rising dramatically in the atmosphere since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, with a sharp escalation occurring due to practices such as the burning of fossil fuels. The ocean acts as a carbon sink for atmospheric CO2, absorbing a large portion of it. This process causes a chemical...
Show moreOcean acidification is one of many threats to marine life as a result of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide being absorbed by ocean water. Anthropogenic levels of carbon dioxide have been rising dramatically in the atmosphere since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, with a sharp escalation occurring due to practices such as the burning of fossil fuels. The ocean acts as a carbon sink for atmospheric CO2, absorbing a large portion of it. This process causes a chemical reaction that progressively lowers the average pH of oceans globally. When a carbon dioxide molecule is absorbed into sea water, two positively charged ions are produced. As pH value is a measurement of hydrogen ion concentration in any given solution, these added hydrogen ions effectively lower the pH of the ocean and causes it to be more acidic. Since these hydrogen ions are positively charged, they to interact with the negatively charged bases already present in the ocean. One of these bases is CaCO3, or the carbonate ion. Carbonate is essential to calcifying marine organisms, who use this ion to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. However, as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels increase and the resulting chemical reactions occur, the ocean’s carbonate saturation decreases. Coral is one such calcifying organism that essential to the aquatic ecosystem in a number of ways, most of which can be attributed to the fact that coral reefs are one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems despite inhabiting only a very small portion of the ocean. With this process occurring at accumulative speeds, how will ocean acidification affect the calcification rates- and therefore the growth and development- of coral in the coming years worldwide? Several studies have confirmed the relationship between increased carbon dioxide levels and the resulting decreased calcification levels and structural deformities present in coral reefs. In 2005 Langdon et al published a study that tested coral calcification rates with varying rates of carbon dioxide saturation in ocean water. Specimens of Porites compressa (finger coral) and Montipora verucosa (rice coral) were collected off the coast of Hawaii and placed in an offshore experimental flume where a series of incubations were performed in Summer 1999 and Winter 2000. From August to September 1999, eighteen incubations were performed with ambient conditions and nine incubations were performed with pCO2 levels at 1.7 times what ambient conditions were. A second round of fifteen incubations were performed from January to February 2000. Six incubations were done at an ambient pCO2, two were done at 1.4 times, and six were done at 2.0 times ambient conditions. Calcification rates for all incubations were calculated through statistical analysis. As a result, calcification decreased 26%, 40%, and 80% respectively to increased pCO2. Another such study was conducted by Langdon et al again in 2013, this time in the Florida Bay. Samples of Siderastrea radians (shallow starlet coral) and Solenastrea hyades (smooth star coral) were collected near Peterson Key and attached to cinderblocks with sensors logging environmental data such as pH and temperature at thirty-minute intervals. A random subset of these corals was incubated in situ and given a treatment regime designed to simulate increased ocean acidification conditions. This treatment lowered pH value in the incubation chambers by 0.1 to 0.2 units. Calcification rates of the incubated coral samples were determined through statistical analysis. Coral samples that experienced a 0.1 unit drop in pH value experienced decreased calcification rates of 50% and coral samples that experiences a 0.2 unit drop in pH value experienced a decreased calcification rate of 52%. These studies both exemplified the strong correlation that exists between pCO2 present, increased acidity in ocean water, and decreased calcification rates of coral. In 2016, Foster et al published a study that demonstrated the structural deformities coral experience as a result of this calcification reduct.
Show less
Date Issued
2020-06-15
Identifier
BC742
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC742
AGRRA protocols and coral reef health in the Caribbean
Title
AGRRA protocols and coral reef health in the Caribbean.
Name/Creator
Quintana, Arely
Abstract/Description
The objective of The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) coral monitoring is to assess the size and overall condition of corals ≥ 4 cm to help evaluate important structural and functional attributes of tropical western Atlantic coral reefs. Data collected can provide information representative of large areas, like shelves, islands, countries or ecoregions. The coral monitoring surveys can be performed by snorkeling (
Show moreThe objective of The Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) coral monitoring is to assess the size and overall condition of corals ≥ 4 cm to help evaluate important structural and functional attributes of tropical western Atlantic coral reefs. Data collected can provide information representative of large areas, like shelves, islands, countries or ecoregions. The coral monitoring surveys can be performed by snorkeling (< 1.5 m), but SCUBA is now recommended for most assessments with diver expertise ranging from novice to highly trained. Survey sites should be chosen randomly within a geomorphic zone of a reef on an insular or continental shelf within one of twelve marine shelf ecoregions of the Tropical Northwestern province of the Tropical Atlantic biogeographic realm. The spatial extent of a site is about 200 m x 200 m and zones of maximum reef development are highly recommended. Recording of exact location using GPS is critical for data quality and consistency. Surveys are completed to assess coral health, recruitments, size, and species. Although single metrics are insufficient to measure whole coral system health due to the highly dynamic nature of reefs, the information collected can indirectly measure environmental quality of the reef and assist in understanding the effects of local and regional stressors. The use of trained volunteer divers whether amateur or professional provides a wealth of information in a cost friendly manner and the data collected from over 3,000 surveys is available in an open-access public database. Information collected from monitoring surveys has become a key source of scientific data used in other research programs, reef policies, legislation, management and conservation.
Show less
Date Issued
2021-04-21
Identifier
BC3355
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3355
Delaware state soil - Greenwich
Title
Delaware state soil - Greenwich.
Name/Creator
Gazdick, Kaitlin
Abstract/Description
The predominate soil order in Delaware is Ultisols. They are located in mostly humid, temperate, and tropical areas that are in older and more stable parts of the world. An accumulation of clay can be found on the top layer. They consist of weathered, acid forest soils, low in calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These elements are present in soil as ions forming cation exchange capacity that is often reduced due to leaching and take up 9.2 percent of the total United States land area. The...
Show moreThe predominate soil order in Delaware is Ultisols. They are located in mostly humid, temperate, and tropical areas that are in older and more stable parts of the world. An accumulation of clay can be found on the top layer. They consist of weathered, acid forest soils, low in calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These elements are present in soil as ions forming cation exchange capacity that is often reduced due to leaching and take up 9.2 percent of the total United States land area. The state soil of Delaware is Greenwich, and it is the most significant and prevalent soil in the state. Greenwich is located on uplands of the coastal plain and consists of 123,000+ acres and takes up 9.4 percent of land in Delaware. The parent material is sandy alluvial sediments, transported by water, from the Atlantic Coastal Plain overlain with deposits high silt bothwind-blown, and water transported sediment. The warm humid climate in which Greenwich developed, causes leaching due to abundant rainfall. Leaves, twigs, roots, and other plant material on the surface of pine forests degrade into the soil. The soil horizon is described as having a topsoil of brown loam that is 10 inches thick brown loam. The upper subsoil is strong brown loam, and the lower subsoil is yellowish brown sandy loam. The substratum is yellowish brown coarse sand stratified with dark yellowish brown loamy sand. Greenwich is a productive soil used for crops such as vegetables and forest products. It is also often used for construction and recreational development.
Show less
Date Issued
2021-04-21
Identifier
BC3352
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3352
Generation of tsunamis from earthquakes: a literature review
Title
Generation of tsunamis from earthquakes: a literature review.
Name/Creator
Naum, Miranda
Abstract/Description
Tsunamis are some of the most incredible yet devastating forces of mother nature. Their sheer and immense power is something of fascination. Earthquakes are primarily responsible for the generation of these massive waves. But what exactly is the link between earthquakes and tsunamis? Tsunamis are a series of ocean waves produced by the displacement of great volumes of water. The displacement of water is typically caused by submarine earthquakes. These earthquakes deform the seafloor, causing...
Show moreTsunamis are some of the most incredible yet devastating forces of mother nature. Their sheer and immense power is something of fascination. Earthquakes are primarily responsible for the generation of these massive waves. But what exactly is the link between earthquakes and tsunamis? Tsunamis are a series of ocean waves produced by the displacement of great volumes of water. The displacement of water is typically caused by submarine earthquakes. These earthquakes deform the seafloor, causing the sudden dislocation of a few to tens of cubic kilometers of water. Approximately 80% of tsunamis are the result of underwater earthquakes. Modern methods of studying the relationship between earthquakes and tsunamis involve the use of virtual laboratories, computational models, physical models, kinematic models, and dislocation models. Large tsunamis require substantial parent earthquakes because more than 96% of their energy is stored in the ocean. The resulting tsunami is a means of releasing energy. The larger the earthquake, the larger the proceeding tsunami will be. Though less than 1% of an earthquake’s energy is actually converted into tsunamis, the energy is capable of generating deadly and catastrophic tsunamis. Further investigation may be proposed to analyze other causes of tsunamis, such as submarine landslides.
Show less
Date Issued
2021-04-21
Identifier
BC3359
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3359
How will the predicted ocean temperatures of 2100, impact larval development of Lobatus (Strombus) gigas in the Caribbean region?
Title
How will the predicted ocean temperatures of 2100, impact larval development of Lobatus (Strombus) gigas in the Caribbean region?.
Name/Creator
Pollard, Madison Jane
Abstract/Description
In the Caribbean region, calcareous shelled organisms are at risk of inhibited larval development (e.g., shell growth and mortality) at high ocean temperatures. Given predicted sea-surface temperatures due to global climate change for the year 2100 (by the IPCC and NOAA) researchers are predicting at what temperatures these changes could affect larval development of Queen conch, Lobatus (Strombus) gigas. Carbon emissions from human activities (e.g., burning of fossil fuels) are affecting...
Show moreIn the Caribbean region, calcareous shelled organisms are at risk of inhibited larval development (e.g., shell growth and mortality) at high ocean temperatures. Given predicted sea-surface temperatures due to global climate change for the year 2100 (by the IPCC and NOAA) researchers are predicting at what temperatures these changes could affect larval development of Queen conch, Lobatus (Strombus) gigas. Carbon emissions from human activities (e.g., burning of fossil fuels) are affecting marine organisms at multiple trophic levels due to ocean warming and acidification. L. gigas was abundant in their geographic range of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and around Bermuda, now with a combination of overharvesting and global climate change, conchs are candidates for the Endangered Species Act. As CO2 increases in the ocean, carbonate for calcium carbonate production decreases. L. gigas will use more energy to produce their shells (stunting growth rates) or opt for weaker shells. Researchers (Aranda and Manzano) reared L.gigas eggs from hatchling to settlement under five temperatures (28, 28.5, 29, 29.5, 30℃) to assess growth and development. At 30 ℃ larvae experienced faster growth rates, but survival was low (23%). While at 28 ℃ larvae had the highest survival (35%). Temperature seemed to have more of a direct impact on earlier stages of larvae of L. gigas than those closest to settlement. Queen conchs are economically important for their commercial value, being the second largest fishery in the Caribbean. Ocean warming and acidification would cause a decrease in harvest, changing prices for consumers. Urgent action against reducing greenhouse gas emissions must be taken. The Caribbean can mitigate contribution to greenhouse gases by renewable energy since it is an area that has great potential for hydro-electric, geothermal, wind and solar energy. This in turn could reduce the impacts to L. gigas larval development.
Show less
Date Issued
2021-04-21
Identifier
BC3356
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3356
Miamian Ohio’s state soil.
Title
Miamian Ohio’s state soil.
Name/Creator
Williams, Kristin Anne
Abstract/Description
Originally named part of the Miami soil series, in 1969 Miamian soil was separated. Miamian is found in the central lowland till plains in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. It is formed from Wisconsinan till in the till plains and moraines under deciduous hardwood forests. Miamian is an Alfisol, and a fine, mixed, active, mesic Oxyaquic Hapludalfs. It is composed of moderately well drained, loess or silty material and underlying loamy till. It has a moderate amount of organic matter and is well...
Show moreOriginally named part of the Miami soil series, in 1969 Miamian soil was separated. Miamian is found in the central lowland till plains in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. It is formed from Wisconsinan till in the till plains and moraines under deciduous hardwood forests. Miamian is an Alfisol, and a fine, mixed, active, mesic Oxyaquic Hapludalfs. It is composed of moderately well drained, loess or silty material and underlying loamy till. It has a moderate amount of organic matter and is well leached of calcium carbonate. The A horizon contains: Silt 39-49%, 11-18% clay, 38-46% sand. The typical pedon contains the following horizons: an Ap (brown silt loam), 2Bt1 (clay loam), 2Bt2 (clay loam), 2Bt3 (clay), 2BC (loam), and a 2Cd (loam). Other horizons can be found but are not always present. Miamian is named as Ohio’s state soil because of the important role it plays in agriculture. Almost all this soil series has been converted to broad acreage agriculture and makes highly productive farmland. Corn, soybeans, winter wheat, and oats are the prime crops, while forages, pastures and hardwood forest trees are more common on steeper slopes. Miamian soil is usually found on convex slopes and has good rainfall, both of which make it highly suspectable to erosion. The use of no till planting, cover crops and crop rotation have all been used to prevent erosion. The A horizon is often to acidic 5.4 to grow corn, so liming agents are frequently used to bring up the pH closer to 6. Miamian soil is well drained and is not suited for filtering liquids, such as with septic tanks.
Show less
Date Issued
2020-06-15
Identifier
BC741
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC741
Paxton series: the state soil of Massachusetts
Title
Paxton series: the state soil of Massachusetts.
Name/Creator
Deitsch, Adam Michael
Abstract/Description
A United States Commonwealth located around 42.4°N and 71.4°W, Massachusetts is an area still rebounding from the last glacial retreat. Its official state soil is the Paxton series, which covers approximately 816,626 acres in the New England area, and accounts for approximately 7.5% of the land in the commonwealth. Paxton is formed around dense glacial till, comprised of eroded and compacted gneiss, granite, and schist. Typically found around convex slopes such as drumlins and ground moraines...
Show moreA United States Commonwealth located around 42.4°N and 71.4°W, Massachusetts is an area still rebounding from the last glacial retreat. Its official state soil is the Paxton series, which covers approximately 816,626 acres in the New England area, and accounts for approximately 7.5% of the land in the commonwealth. Paxton is formed around dense glacial till, comprised of eroded and compacted gneiss, granite, and schist. Typically found around convex slopes such as drumlins and ground moraines, it is notably absent in the Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket areas. Classified as coarse-loamy, mixed, active, mesic Oxyaquic Dystrudepts, the series is of relatively young development and falls under the order of Inceptisols. Texture of Paxton soils range from fine, sandy loam to coarser loam as they approach the lowest horizon. The soil is mostly sand with a small portion of silt and clay. A pedon will usually have 4 horizons (Ap, Bw1, Bw2, Cd), though some have more. All horizons are acidic and increase in gravel content with depth. The soil’s characteristics make it viable for uses including cultivation, light construction, and pastureland. Limitations can be correlated to some of the qualities that make them suitable for prime farmland. High holding capacity can generate seasonal perched water tables, and while this can be beneficial for agricultural purposes, it can also increase erosion and lead to anaerobic conditions. Frost expansion from harsh winters can also cause structural damage to housing projects, roadways, and septic systems. Conservation and management issues are related to loss of farmland and forested land. Thousands of acres have been lost to development of solar farms, and future solar needs could destroy significantly more land. While some areas implement dual uses—farming beneath solar panels—there is uncertainty about long-term effects on soil health and arability.
Show less
Date Issued
2021-04-21
Identifier
BC3351
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3351
The Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) fish protocols
Title
The Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) fish protocols.
Name/Creator
Self, Madison
Abstract/Description
The Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) is an international program aimed at improving conditions of reefs in the West Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, by providing a standardized assessment of key structural and functional indicators that can be used to reveal the regional condition of the reef. Reef fish carry out important roles such as predation and grazing, therefore by studying the abundance, size, and distribution of key species, we can gain insight on the changing dynamics of the...
Show moreThe Atlantic Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) is an international program aimed at improving conditions of reefs in the West Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, by providing a standardized assessment of key structural and functional indicators that can be used to reveal the regional condition of the reef. Reef fish carry out important roles such as predation and grazing, therefore by studying the abundance, size, and distribution of key species, we can gain insight on the changing dynamics of the reef and understand the roles humans play in effecting these fish populations. AGRRA fish surveys can be at a basic or detailed level, depending on the research needs. These protocols are carried out by a minimum of two trained SCUBA divers who will quantify the abundance and community composition of key species along a 30-meter-long by two-meter-wide belt transect. Once the survey is completed, team leaders will gather datasheets and submit them to the AGRRA database. The results of this data can then be used to serve as baselines for future studies of these reefs and to make educated and informed decisions on management practices for these regions.
Show less
Date Issued
2021-04-21
Identifier
BC3354
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3354
The music experience and its influence on cognitive function measured with EEG
Title
The music experience and its influence on cognitive function measured with EEG.
Name/Creator
Golan, Ronit, Lang, Merike, Rosselli, Monica
Abstract/Description
Musicians and non-musicians were evaluated during pilot testing of the Visual Oddball and Go/No-Go as measured with P3 event-related potentials. Amidst COVID-19, we are collecting online questionnaire data with a sample of 34 participants, which will be tested in-person once safety protocols are established. Factors from the Brief Music Experience Questionnaire were correlated to variables from a Basic Information Questionnaire. For the Oddball and Go/No-Go testing, lower reaction times were...
Show moreMusicians and non-musicians were evaluated during pilot testing of the Visual Oddball and Go/No-Go as measured with P3 event-related potentials. Amidst COVID-19, we are collecting online questionnaire data with a sample of 34 participants, which will be tested in-person once safety protocols are established. Factors from the Brief Music Experience Questionnaire were correlated to variables from a Basic Information Questionnaire. For the Oddball and Go/No-Go testing, lower reaction times were observed for two musicians as well as higher accuracy on the Oddball task. Musicians demonstrated higher amplitudes and later peak latencies for the Go/No-Go, but lower amplitudes and later peak latencies for the Oddball. Preliminary correlations were found between years playing an instrument, and proficiency playing an instrument with innovative musical aptitude and reactive musical behavior components. Upon collecting more data, differences are expected in cognition between musicians and non-musicians during tasks of stimulus evaluation and inhibition.
Show less
Date Issued
2021-04-21
Identifier
BC3353
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/broward/fd/BC3353