Past Internships

Roxana Aguirre-Robertson
California State University, Los Angeles - Los Angeles, California
Junior, majoring in Natural Science-Geology

Research Title: How population density and shrimp size affects the geometry of Upogebia pugettensis burrows in the Yaquina Estuary

Research Summary: Upogebia pugettensis (the blue mud shrimp) is a thalassanid burrowing shrimp that has been found to occupy more than 80% of the intertidal flats in the Yaquina estuary (DeWitt, et al., 2004). These shrimp are important ecosystem engineers because of their impacts on structure of benthic communities and on biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen and carbon (Dumbauld et al. 1996, DeWitt et al. 2004, DAndrea & DeWitt in prep.). Previously molded casts of their Y shaped burrows reveal considerable variation in the number of openings to the sediment surface, and the distance between openings, which may be dependent on shrimp size or shrimp population density at a site. Knowledge of factors that affect burrow morphology is important for monitoring shrimp populations and modeling the impact of shrimp burrows on decomposition of sediment organic matter (Aller 1988, Welsh 2003, DeWitt et al. 2004, DAndrea & DeWitt in prep.). The purpose of this study is to determine whether burrow geometry differs in response to shrimp body size or population density. To do this, shrimp burrow characteristics of in patches of low, medium, and high shrimp densities in the Yaquina estuary were measured for: a) the number of burrow openings, b) the distance between burrow openings, c) and the burrow-shaft diameter. This was done for approximately 30 randomly selected burrow systems per density class within the Yaquina estuary. The data collected here will also be compared to data previously collected by Dr. DeWitt on existing burrow casts to determine whether the field-measured parameters can predict total burrow length, burrow depth, or total burrow volume.

Mentor: Ted Dewitt, Ecologist, US EPA-Pacific Coastal Ecology Branch and Brett Dumbauld, Research Ecologist, USDA-Agriculture Research Service
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Rithy Bein
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Sophomore, majoring in Civil Engineering

Research Title: 360° Virtual Tour of the Hatfield Marine Science Center

Research Summary:

Mentor: Itchung Cheung, Instructor, OSU Biology Program, Academic Program Coordinator, Hatfield Marine Science Center
Internship Site: PROMISE internship - HMSC

Ariel Camp
Hofstra University - Hempstead, New York
Junior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: Density-dependent habitat selection in juvenile English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus)

Research Summary: The contribution of nursery habitats to adult recruitment of marine fish depends on the physical qualities of the habitat as well as intraspecifc behavioral interactions, which may be density-dependent. Density-dependent habitat selection (DDHS) was examined in juvenile English sole, found in estuarine nurseries at high densities, and compared to that of northern rock sole which occur at low densities in coastal nurseries and exhibit DDHS. DDHS was hypothesized to be similar between the two species, but would be initiated at higher densities in English sole. Trials were conducted over seven density treatments (0.4, 0.8, 1.5, 3.0, 6.1, 12.2, 18.6, and 23.8 fish m-2) during which fish were given equal access to a preferred sandy habitat and a less-preferred pebble habitat. Low-densities of English sole (0.4-1.5 fish m-2) showed little habitat preference, use of the less-preferred pebble habitat decreased with increasing density up to 3.0 fish m-2 where DDHS initiated and pebble use increased from 30 to 50% with density. This pattern remained even under predation pressure. Initiation of DDHS and The lack of habitat preference at low densities may indicate that English sole perceive conspecifics as indicative of habitat quality. Initiation of DDHS at a higher density (6.1 fish m-2) compared to northern rock sole (1.5 fish m-2) suggests English sole are behaviorally adapted for the greater carrying capacity of estuarine nurseries, although the possible modification of DDHS in response to other factors such as food resources, turbidity and ontogeny remain to be investigated.

Mentor: Cliff Ryer, Assistant Professor, Fisheries and Wildlife (Courtesy), NOAA  Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Sean Canfield
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Senior, majoring in Biology

Research Title:

Research Summary:

Mentor: Bill Hanshumaker, OSU/Fisheries & Wildlife: Public Marine Education Specialist
Internship Site: Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center Internship - HMSC

Emily Colin
Colby College - Waterville, Maine
Sophomore, majoring in Geology and Chemistry

Research Title: Paleoproductivity off the coast of southern Chile over the last 30 ky

Research Summary: Oxygen minimum zones (OMZ) exist between the ocean depths of 500-1000m. The oxygen levels within these regions represent a balance between oxygen supply, provided by well-oxygenated, intermediate waters, and oxygen depletion, caused by bacteria consuming organic matter. The availability vs. dearth of these two factors impact many global climate feedback loops. Productivity and the flux of carbon from the surface layer to deep sea is one of the major factors controlling CO2 partial pressure in the atmosphere and global climate cycles. Here, the paleoproductivity from the southern Chilean margin is reconstructed by normalizing to the flux of 230Th. Results show that over the last 30ky, the height of productivity was found near the last glacial maximum (LGM) (26-20 cal yrs BP). A steady decline is seen in CaCO3 flux from the middle Holocene (~8 cal yrs BP) to present, while opal flux seem to plateau, and organic carbon seems to increase from the late Holocene (~5 cal yrs BP) to present.

Mentor: Zanna Chase, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Amanda Colton
University of New England - Biddeford, Maine
Senior, majoring in Marine Biology & Environmental Sciences

Research Title: Visual and olfactory cues leading to aggregations of Pacific cod and walleye pollock in prey patches

Research Summary: I studied the role that visual and olfactory cues play in aiding larval Pacific cod and walleye pollock locate and remain within patches of high prey concentration. Behavioral responses of larvae were examined in two types of experiments. "Gradient Trials" evaluated the behavioral responses of fish to uneven distributions of light, prey scent, and live prey. In "Patch Trials", I determined if larvae alter their swimming behaviors when in a feeding patch. Overall, I found that the two species have very similar foraging mechanisms, which include an ontogenetic reversal in the behavioral response to light gradients and a strengthening responsiveness to prey. Larvae of neither species exhibited a behavioral response to prey scent, suggesting that olfaction in prey detection may be restricted to later life stages in these species.

Mentor: Tom Hurst, Research Fishery Biologist, NOAA - Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Internship Site: Alaska Fisheries Science Center Internship - HMSC

Lauren Colwell
Carleton College - Northfield, Minnesota
Junior, majoring in Geology

Research Title: An Updated Age Progression of the Louisville Seamount Trail and Comparison to the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Trail

Research Summary: Seamount trails are perhaps the most tangible surface expressions of plate motion over upwelling mantle plumes, also known as hotspots. The Louisville seamount trail was generated from one of the longest-lived hotspots in the South Pacific and is comparable to the Hawaii-Emperor seamount trail, as these two trails represent intra-plate volcanism and Pacific plate motion over a similar time interval (~80 Ma to present). In this study we present new 40Ar/39Ar age data that contribute to an updated age progression for the Louisville seamount trail. The inclusion of these new data confirms a systematic (but non-linear) age-progressive trend that, when considered with reference to the most recent absolute plate motion model (WK08G) from Wessel & Kroenke (2008), facilitates a direct comparison to the observed age progression for the Hawaii-Emperor seamount trail. We conclude that the new Louisville age data to the first-order correlate relatively well to WK08G model and the Hawaiian age data. However, toward the older end of the Louisville seamount trail, the measured age data are systematically older than both the WK08G predictions and the Hawaiian seamounts, with offsets ranging up to 6 Myr. Here we report on the implications of these deviations, including plume motion or seawater alteration as possible contributing factors, and the timing and location of morphological bends present in both seamount trails. There appears to be a correlation between the two most prominent bends in both trails, though the ages are not within an appreciable difference of each other. We also observe that magma production ceases for a significant amount of time directly after these prominent bends in the Hawaii-Emperor and Louisville seamount trails, despite a considerable difference in total output for both hotspot systems (1,300 and 130 x 103 km3, respectively).

Mentor: Anthony Koppers/Bob Duncan, Associate Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Associate Dean, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Joel Craig
Georgia Tech - Atlanta, Georgia
Senior, majoring in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Research Title: Optical Indices of Phytoplankton Dynamics in the Equatorial Pacific

Research Summary: In situ and satellite measures of various ocean and atmospheric parameters are used to understand ecosystem dynamics. Satellites are limited to the upper waters, buoys are limited in spatial scope and shipboard CTD drops are limited temporally. Lab tests have modeled the response of various wavelengths of light to particulate matter of varying sizes and consistencies in water. Ratios of chlorophyll to carbon change with species and light availability. Optical measures of fluorescence are used to measure chlorophyll. Backscatter and beam attenuation can be used as proxies for particulate organic carbon (POC). Using recently collected equator transect optical data and bottle measures of chlorophyll and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations we seek to measure ecosystem dynamics with a less labor intensive approach.

Mentor: Pete Strutton, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU  COAS, CIOSS

Fred Duerr
Oregon Coast Community College - Newport, Oregon
CC Faculty

Research Title: Ecology of Host-Parasite Interactions of Anadromous and Marine fishes

Research Summary:

Mentor: Kym Jacobson, Biologist, NOAA/NW/NMFS
Internship Site: COSEE PRIME CC Faculty Internship - HMSC

Lanaya Fitzgerald
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Junior, majoring in Environmental Science

Research Title: Interactions between Jellyfish and Fish: Predation versus Commensalism

Research Summary: Increasing jellyfish biomass in marine ecosystems around the world may affect many commercially important fish species through increasing predation and competition for food Fishes in the family Gadidae are commercially important, and can be both preyed upon by jellyfish as larvae and early juveniles, and as larger juveniles, adopt a positive commensal association with jellyfish We performed laboratory experiments attempting to mimic fish and jellyfish interactions included larval gadids in the presence of jellyfish, juvenile gadids in the presence of jellyfish and a predator, and a predator in both the presence and absence of jellyfish. In both the absence and presence of a predator, juvenile Pacific tomcod did not display the association behavior that was hypothesized. Predation by jellyfish on larval Pacific cod species was intense, suggesting that increasing jellyfish biomass may have a strong negative effect on the survival of 0-group fish. The absence and presence of jellyfish with a predator experiment illustrated the sensitivity of 2-year Pacific cod to jellyfish stings. After approximately eight stings, predators would learn to avoid contact with jellies. In all, 94.64% of larval gadids were consumed by jellyfish within nine hours. Survival of gadids increased exponentially between larval and juvenile fishes, while the frequency of contact (stings) increased between juveniles and adults. Increased juvenile gadid survival from both jellyfish and larger fish predators may be due to the stronger swimming and avoidance abilities that come with increasing size. Although juvenile cod species were not found to be associating with jellyfish in the laboratory as has been observed in the field, increasing jellyfish biomass may be creating a larger habitat for juvenile 0-group fish seek shelter from larger predatory fish.

Mentor: Ric Brodeur, Professor, Oceanography (Courtesy), NOAA/NW/NMFS
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Rosalinda Fortier
University of Rhode Island - Kingston, Rhode Island
Senior, majoring in Physics, Physical Oceanography and Math

Research Title: Upwelling Tongues on the Oregon Continental Shelf: a Study using AUV gliders

Research Summary: Seasonal upwelling on the Oregon continental shelf, particularly over Heceta Bank, is important for commercial fisheries. Understanding the physical processes of this system is important for the local economy and also lends to the understanding of coastal upwelling elsewhere in the world. In this study, year-round high resolution data from three Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Gliders along the Newport Hydrographic (NH) Line (44.65°) is used to study small scale features of upwelling, called upwelling tongues. The tongues are formed by sub-pycnocline water that has been heated by the sun and sunk along the upwelling front. They seem to appear at the transition to relaxed conditions after a period of upwelling.

Mentor: Jack Barth, Professor, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences and Kipp Shearman, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU  COAS, CIOSS

Nicole Goehring
Whitman College - Walla Walla, Washington
Junior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: Interannual Comparison of Juvenile Chinook Growth, Residency, and Diet

Research Summary: The mechanisms influencing early ocean survival of Chinook salmon are currently poorly understood. In order to assess factors potentially driving interannual disparities within a Chinook population, otolith growth, residency times, and diet were compared between two collections of juvenile Chinook. Samples were taken from the surf zone at Bastendorff Beach, Oregon in the summers of 2006 and 2007. While the 2006 individuals are larger in size than those collected in 2007, the densities were smaller in 2006. The fishs otoliths were extracted and analyzed by mass spectrometer for variations in calcium, strontium, and barium concentrations. Significant increases in strontium, relative to calcium, mark the transition period as the fish move from fresh water to salt water; correspondingly, drops in barium levels indicate fish exiting fresh water systems. These data, coupled with microstructure analysis allowed for the estimation of residency times and growth rates in fresh and brackish/salt water. Stomach analyses revealed species consumed and their relative quantities. Stomach contents were identified to the lowest identifiable taxonomic level and weighed. The traits examined here may serve as a proxy for survival, as studying the condition of fish when they enter the ocean enhances our limited understanding of the factors affecting Chinook salmon survival.

Mentor: Jessica Miller, Assistant Professor, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Jasmine Graves
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Senior, majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife

Research Title:

Research Summary:

Mentor: Bill Hanshumaker, OSU/Fisheries & Wildlife: Public Marine Education Specialist
Internship Site: Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center Internship - HMSC

Alicia Jabin
Chemeketa Community College - Salem, Oregon
Sophomore, majoring in Environmental Sciences

Research Title: Behind the Scenes of the Hatfield Marine Science Center

Research Summary:

Mentor: Tim Miller-Morgan, Extension Vet Aqua Specialist, Sea Grant Extension
Internship Site: COSEE PRIME CC Student Internship - HMSC

Sam Kanner
Carleton College - Northfield, Minnesota
Sophomore, majoring in Geology

Research Title: Quantifying Transport Associated with Internal Waves in Massachusetts Bay

Research Summary: Previous experiments have shown that large-amplitude internal waves are a significant agent in transporting particles, such as nutrients, larvae and effluent onshore. Surface drifters were deployed in Massachusetts Bay, equipped with GPS devices to quantify the transport associated with these internal wave packets. It was observed that the depth of the drogue below the surface was inversely proportional to the speed at which the drifter moved onshore. This study can be used to make a more comprehensive analysis of where and when the oil from a large-scale offshore spill may reach the shoreline.

Mentor: Jim Lerczak, Associate Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences and Kipp Shearman, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU  COAS, CIOSS

Ben Klein
Amherst College - Amherst, Massachusetts
Sophomore, majoring in Geology

Research Title: Analysis of Organic Carbon in Arctic Shelf Sediments

Research Summary: The Arctic environment is extremely sensitive to changes in climate. It is therefore essential to closely observe this system to understand how it is affected by current climate change and what the implications of these changes are for the arctic as well as the larger global system. One element of the Arctic that must be studied carefully is the organic carbon cycle. A variety of analyses including Elemental Analysis for Carbon and Nitrogen, surface area analysis and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were performed in an effort to quantify the relative contributions of allochthonous and autochthonous sources of organic matter in 14 cores collected on the shelves of the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. The information generated describes current processes and offers insight into shifts in the system during recent history.

Mentor: Miguel Goni, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Vivian Lin
Scripps College - Claremont, California
Junior, majoring in Biology and Chemistry

Research Title: Assessing oxygen flux and physical characteristics of permeable sediments from the Oregon shelf

Research Summary: Considering recent hypoxic events off the Oregon coast, identifying factors affecting oxygen flux across the shelf is critical to better understanding the ecological and economic impacts of hypoxia. Benthic biological activity may play a significant role in oxygen consumption, but there is a lack of data for benthic oxygen exchange rates in WA-OR shelf permeable sediments. Methods must also be developed for collecting and profiling sand cores. In order to investigate oxygen consumption in coastal sandy sediments, one core was collected from an intertidal location in Yaquina Bay and six cores from a water depth of ~15m on the Oregon shelf off Lincoln Beach. Oxygen microelectrodes were used to obtain high spatial resolution profiles of oxygen consumption rates in these cores via a flow through method. Aerated water was pumped through each sediment core, and the linear decrease in oxygen concentration during short flow-off periods was measured at different depths. Additionally, permeability and porosity of each core were measured to study the relationship between physical characteristics of sands and oxygen consumption rates. Oxygen fluxes calculated by integrating the volumetric oxygen consumption rates to a depth of 4 cm ranged from 42 to 140 mmol m-2 d-1 for Lincoln Beach cores. Permeability and porosity averaged 23×10-12 m2 and 43.5%, respectively, and were consistent with literature values for other permeable coastal sediments. Estimates of local oxygen consumption by the sediment at Lincoln Beach, according to these oxygen flux values and accounting for depth, suggest rates between 2.8 to 9.3 mmol m-3 d-1; approximating for the Oregon shelf, these values are 0.4 to 1.4 mmol m-3 d-1. In comparison to earlier estimates of oxygen consumption, which placed sediment consumption at 0.1 ± 0.1 mmol m-3 d-1, the benthic contribution to hypoxia may be much more significant than previously estimated.

Mentor: Clare Reimers, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Valerie Lindborg
Seattle Pacific University - Seattle, Washington
Senior, majoring in Biology

Research Title:

Research Summary:

Mentor: Bill Hanshumaker, OSU/Fisheries & Wildlife: Public Marine Education Specialist
Internship Site: Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center Internship - HMSC

Molly Lindle
Centre College - Danville, Kentucky
Junior, majoring in Physics and Mathematics

Research Title: An Updated Age Progression of the Louisville Seamount Trail and Comparison to the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Trail

Research Summary: Seamount trails are perhaps the most tangible surface expressions of plate motion over upwelling mantle plumes, also known as hotspots. The Louisville seamount trail was generated from one of the longest-lived hotspots in the South Pacific and is comparable to the Hawaii-Emperor seamount trail, as these two trails represent intra-plate volcanism and Pacific plate motion over a similar time interval (~80 Ma to present). In this study we present new 40Ar/39Ar age data that contribute to an updated age progression for the Louisville seamount trail. The inclusion of these new data confirms a systematic (but non-linear) age-progressive trend that, when considered with reference to the most recent absolute plate motion model (WK08G) from Wessel & Kroenke (2008), facilitates a direct comparison to the observed age progression for the Hawaii-Emperor seamount trail. We conclude that the new Louisville age data to the first-order correlate relatively well to WK08G model and the Hawaiian age data. However, toward the older end of the Louisville seamount trail, the measured age data are systematically older than both the WK08G predictions and the Hawaiian seamounts, with offsets ranging up to 6 Myr. Here we report on the implications of these deviations, including plume motion or seawater alteration as possible contributing factors, and the timing and location of morphological bends present in both seamount trails. There appears to be a correlation between the two most prominent bends in both trails, though the ages are not within an appreciable difference of each other. We also observe that magma production ceases for a significant amount of time directly after these prominent bends in the Hawaii-Emperor and Louisville seamount trails, despite a considerable difference in total output for both hotspot systems (1,300 and 130 x 103 km3, respectively).

Mentor: Anthony Koppers, Associate Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences and Bob Duncan, Associate Dean, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Kiva Oken
Carleton College - Northfield, Minnesota
Sophomore, majoring in Mathematics and Biology

Research Title: The Effect of Hypoxia on Fish Larvae and other Mesoplankton Populations on the Oregon Shelf

Research Summary: A nearshore hypoxic zone was first detected along the Oregon shelf in 2002 and has occurred every year since. The upwelling of hypoxic, nutrient-rich Arctic waters drives the now-annual event. Many factors impact how fishes respond to hypoxia, but studies in semi-enclosed ecosystems have shown that most mobile life forms avoid habitats low in oxygen, and earlier life stages are more susceptible. Using a multinet with an attached CTD, we sampled the mesoplankton population throughout the Oregon shelf at different depth intervals during the upwelling season. We found that total biovolume is inversely proportional to dissolved oxygen, and that the hypoxia does not significantly affect fish larvae. We suspect the unexpected results are due to a combination of sunlight avoidance, species-specific responses, and sampling methods.

Mentor: Lorenzo Ciannelli, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Amy Pernarelli
Rogue Community College - Grants Pass, Oregon
Sophomore, majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife

Research Title: Splash! Beneath the Surface of the Oregon Coast Aquarium

Research Summary:

Mentor: Kerry Carlin-Morgan, Director of Public Programs, Oregon Coast Aquarium
Internship Site: COSEE PRIME CC Student Internship - HMSC

Samuel Peterson
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Junior, majoring in Physics and Mathematics

Research Title: Investigations on the Coastal Undercurrent off Cape Blanco

Research Summary: In this project we used computer simulations of velocity fields and lagrangian label fields to explore the undercurrent along the coast of Cape Blanco during august of 2001. We found that a large proportion of the undercurrent north and south of Cape Blanco is discontinuous from one another (in a sense to be explained). Later work will be on obtaining trajectories of water parcels in this undercurrent system.

Mentor: Alex Kurapov, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU  COAS, CIOSS

Laura Poppick
Bates College - Lewiston, Maine
Sophomore, majoring in Geology

Research Title: The growth and lifespan relationship in the Pacific Geoduck

Research Summary: Growth rate and lifespan were compared within and among two Pacific geoduck populations in order to determine if early-life growth ultimately predicts longevity. The dendrochronological technique of crossdating was employed to age and measure the first fifteen annual growth increments in acetate peels of geoduck hinge plates. Significant differences in growth rate among geoducks of various ages were determined with linear regression. Analysis from both sites showed a significant decrease in growth rate during the first three years of life as age increased. Individuals that grew fastest during the first three years also had the highest measured meat weights. Because meat weight positively correlates with reproductive output, a possible tradeoff of fast growth may be the opportunity to be more fecund while ultimately living a relatively short life. The inverse growth and lifespan relationship described here may represent a common biological concept.

Mentor: Bryan Black, Assistant Professor (Sr Res), OSU/Hatfield Marine Science Center
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Megan Pros
Monmouth College - Monmouth , Illinois
Junior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: The hypoxia phenomenon on the Pacific coast: Can copepod (Calanus marshallae) eggs hatch in extremely low levels of dissolved oxygen?

Research Summary: Despite the growing concern about the hypoxia phenomenon on the Oregon shelf, little research has been invested on the effects of hypoxia on zooplankton, an important link between phytoplankton and the rest of the ocean food web. If hypoxia on the Oregon shelf becomes an increasing occurrence and more intense, it will be important to explore the kinds of effects it will have on local sea life, especially the base of the food chain. We investigated the effects of hypoxic water conditions on the eggs of the copepod Calanus marshallae. Adults are mobile, and are likely able to move away from areas of hypoxic water, but we question if their eggs, which sink in the vertical water column, can still hatch and develop if they sink into hypoxic water. We collected water off of the Oregon, Washington, and California coasts during biweekly day cruises and during a ten day cruise on the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) research ship, the McArthur II. We filled biochemical oxygen demand bottles (BOD) with water collected from Conductivity-Temperature-Density (CTD) instrument casts and placed between fifteen and thirty eggs in each bottle. The eggs were preserved after five days. We found that eggs do not hatch as well in concentrations of low oxygen compared to higher oxygen concentrations above hypoxic values. Our results also show that the nauplii that do hatch have slowed development in hypoxic water. This work suggests that hypoxic water does have some negative effect on egg hatching and nauplii development, which could have a negative impact on all the important species that feed on them if the hypoxia conditions on the shelf increase. More data is needed to further clarify the repeatability and significance of these results.

Mentor: Bill Peterson, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences (Courtesy); NOAA  Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Internship Site: NSF supported REU  HMSC, CIMRS

Shayna Rogers
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Junior, majoring in Environmental Science

Research Title: Corvallis Ozone and Aerosol Experiment (COAX)

Research Summary: Air pollution can have serious implications for environmental health. High levels of particulate and gaseous matter in the lower atmosphere have been linked to the onset of respiratory distress, cardiovascular dysfunction, and ocular irritation in humans. Concentrations of these compounds are controlled by a variety of complex factors, including emission sources, transport and mixing, transformation, and removal (Ko, 1992). Using aerosol and ozone gas as indicator species, this study investigates the interplay of these factors at two sites in Corvallis, Oregon. It incorporates information about weather patterns, including data on temperature, relative humidity, surface and aloft winds, and mixing height to examine environmental controls on pollution. This project will increase understanding of how human exposure to contaminants can vary spatially and temporally on a local scale.

Mentor: Rick Vong, Associate Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Kether Scharff-Gray
University of New England - Biddeford, Maine
Junior, majoring in Marine Biology

Research Title: Sources and Fate of Organic Carbon in the Oregon Coastal Upwelling Regime

Research Summary: During the summer months, wind from the north blowing along the coast causes water to be transported offshore via Ekman Transport, which leads to the upwelling of deep, dense, nutrient rich water. This study aims to better understand the sources and fate of the carbon in this system. Elemental analysis will be conducted to measure the concentration of particulate organic carbon and particulate nitrogen in water samples collected along two transects off the Oregon coast. Analysis of this information will clarify the sources of organic carbon and nitrogen in the water. The information derived from this study will add to the understanding of the oceans role in the global carbon budget.

Mentor: Miguel Goni, Associate Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Lauren Van Thiel
University of South Carolina - Columbia, South Carolina
Junior, majoring in Marine & Aquatic Sciences

Research Title: NOAA Hollings Scholar

Research Summary: studying the ecology of juvenile salmon in the Columbia River estuary. Lauren's internship included both field (sampling salmon in the Columbia estuary) and lab work (determining food habits of juvenile Chinook salmon immediately before they enter the ocean).

Mentor: Laurie Weitkamp, Research Fisheries Biologist, NOAA/NW/NMFS
Internship Site: NOAA Hollings Scholars Internship  NOAA NW Fisheries Science Center

Norma Vasquez
California State University, Monterey Bay - Seaside, California
Junior, majoring in Earth System Science and Policy

Research Title: Evaluation of MHC Diversity as a Means to Study Mate Choice in Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger)

Research Summary: The use of odor cues has been proposed as one method by which rockfish of the genus Sebastes recognize conspecifics and select mates. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is known to have primary function in the immune system in vertebrates but is also proposed to play a role in mate recognition within species and in mate selection in other organisms. One hypothesis is that females maximize the heterozygosity of their offspring at MHC loci through choosing mates that maximize their collective MHC diversity. The goal of this project is to evaluate the MHC genetic diversity within a single species of the genus Sebastes. The MHC class 2 beta gene family was studied in quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger). We used degenerate primers and standard PCR protocols to amplify MHC sequences from 19 quillback rockfish. Six to eight clones were selected from each individual for sequencing and analyzed for sequence differences. In 227 sequences obtained, there were 97 distinct exon 2 sequences (79 coding sequences and 18 pseudogenes) and a range of 3-7 repeats of the intron 1 minisatellite. With phylogenetic analysis, clusters of monophyletic Sebastes maliger sequences were found among other clades that were blended with MHC sequences from Aguilar and Garza (2005). Pseudogene sequences were scattered throughout the tree. Our results primarily demonstrate the high MHC variability in S. maliger. For future directions, MHC or other candidate genes will be studied in different rockfish and examined in captive-bred rockfish larvae for evidence of non-random mating based on MHC.

Mentor: Michael Banks, Director, Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Hannah Waters
Carleton College - Northfield, Minnesota
Junior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: The effects of time-lag and ocean conditions on common murre (Uria aalge) productivity

Research Summary: The diet composition of top predators in marine ecosystems affects their reproductive output through availability (abundance and accessibility) and variation in the energy values of prey species. I studied a colony of common murres (Uria aalge) to determine reproductive success, dominant prey species, the age-classes of these prey species, and evaluated these data using PDO indices to identify if a time-lag exists between murre productivity and ocean conditions. Pacific herring, pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) and smelt (Family Osmeridae) were the dominant prey species, composing over 50% of chick diet in each year. Sand lance were predated primarily as YOY age-class, herring as 1-year olds, and smelt as 1- and 2-years. PDO and copepod biomass showed strong correlations with reproductive success, as well as with reproductive success time-lagged 1 and 2 years. These results indicate that a time-lag exists between murre productivity and ocean conditions at Yaquina Head, and suggest that studying ocean conditions and copepod biomass from the present year alone do not account for differences in prey quality by species and age-class, which affect top predator health and reproductive success. Additionally, top predator reproductive success can be used as an indicator, as it reflects multiple trophic levels and ocean conditions.

Mentor: Rob Suryan, Assistant Professor (Sr Res), OSU/Hatfield Marine Science Center
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Caitlin White
Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
Junior, majoring in Biology and Environmental Science

Research Title: Bopyrid isopod parasite recruitment and growth in Upogebia pugettensis and Neotrypaea californiensis

Research Summary: High prevalence of the introduced bopyrid isopod parasite OrthIone griffenis, Markham 2004 appear to limit populations of native mud shrimp, Upogebia pugettensis in eastern Pacific estuaries, even though they infest only reproductive sized shrimp and do not directly increase mortality. In contrast, all sizes of the co-occurring ghost shrimp, Neotrypaea californiensis are vulnerable to infestation by its native bopyrid isopod parasite Ione cornuta, Bate 1864 and only 0.5% of most ghost shrimp populations are infested. Thus, Neotrypaea populations are not limited by Ione. We compared processes by which the cryptoniscan stages of OrthIone and Ione appear to recruit and develop, grow and interact with the mud shrimp and ghost shrimp in Yaquina Bay, Oregon to resolve, in part, which processes control host vulnerability. Only the small male Ione grow on hosts in the absence of females, while isolated male OrthIone of all sizes grow uniformly. The host conditions that result in first cryptoniscan invasions were not discovered. OrthIone infestations did not occur by direct experimental exposure over the entire mud shrimp molt cycle. Ione and OrthIone cryptoniscans were not attracted to their respective available shrimp hosts and would not settle or remain in host branchial chambers when experimentally injected. The mechanisms of host vulnerability to cryptoniscan infestation appear to be more complex than previously supposed.

Mentor: John Chapman, Research Associate, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Brett Dumbauld, Research Ecologist, USDA-Agriculture Research Service
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - HMSC

Kiya Wilson
Lewis and Clark College - Portland, Oregon
Sophomore, majoring in Earth Science

Research Title: Using an Array of NE Pacific Margin Sediment Cores to Establish a Provenance Record and Link Land-Ocean Responses to Climate Variability

Research Summary: A major challenge in climate studies is attempting to couple continental and marine records. This can be overcome by looking at both signals in the same marine sediment core. The continental fraction of these sediments, including pollen and rock fragments, reflects the effects of regional climate change on continental runoff, ice extent, vegetation and surface ocean circulation. The transport of this terrigenous materiel to the ocean, and how this transport changes over time, must be understood in order to relate vegetation (pollen) and erosion (rock) changes to specific river catchments. This project examines this question by studying provenance in an array of surface sediment cores along continental margin of the Pacific Northwest. Provenance is determined using bulk sediment 40Ar/39Ar radiometric dating of sediment cores, for comparison with bulk sediment 40Ar/39Ar ages of major rivers in the Pacific Northwest reported by VanLaningham et. al (2006).

Mentor: Nick Pisias, Professor, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences and Bob Duncan, Associate Dean, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Internship Site: NSF supported REU - COAS

Charlotte Alvord
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Senior, majoring in Zoology

Research Title: Guardians of the Forest - Sea Otter Genetics

Research Summary: Using surveys and hands-on activities, Charlotte determined the publics baseline knowledge on genetics. Using this information, she designed and produced a poster with the appropriate information to address the publics understanding of microsatellite DNA analysis and PCR research. An analysis is conducted of visitors background genetics and with the formative design of her poster.

Mentor: Bill Hanshumaker, OSU/Fisheries & Wildlife: Public Marine Education Specialist
Internship Site: Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center Internship

Carrie Antolik
Eckerd College - St. Petersburg, Florida
Senior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: Diversity and differentiation of mtDNA among humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) on both the tropical feeding grounds and the Antarctic feeding Areas of the South Pacific Ocean

Research Summary: Throughout the 19th century humpback whales of the south Pacific (SP) were heavily exploited by commercial whaling. It is important to understand the degree of connectivity between these small south Pacific breeding populations and their associated feeding grounds in order to better understand the dynamics of recovery of humpback whales in this region. 800bp of the mitochondrial control region was sequenced from previously collected SP samples (2003 to 2005) and added to existing sequence data for the breeding grounds (1994-2002) and Antarctica (1994-2002). These sequences were analyzed to examine genetic diversity and differentiation within individual feeding and breeding ground populations. If time permits genetic connections between feeding and breeding grounds will also be investigated. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Scott Baker, Associate Professor, Fisheries and Wildlife
REU Site: Newport

Casey Benkwitt
Bowdoin College - Brunswick, Maine
Senior, majoring in Environmental Studies and Sociology (biology minor)

Research Title: Gastric Evacuation and Daily Ration of Juvenile Chinook Salmon in Coastal Waters

Research Summary: This research involved conducting laboratory studies on the gastric emptying time of juvenile salmon fed known amounts of food at 3 different temperatures. This was combined with field measurements of stomach fullness taken throughout the day to estimate a daily ration for these fish that can be used to examine food limitation in the ocean during the first few critical months at sea. (NSF/CIMRS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Ric Brodeur, Professor, Oceanography (Courtesy) NOAA/NW/NMFS)
REU Site: Newport

Craig Brauer
Illinois Wesleyan University - Bloomington, Illinois
Senior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: Soliciting Sex for Bopyrid Taxonomy

Research Summary: Bopyrid isopod crustaceans parasitize decapod crustacean hosts and produce pelagic larvae.  While the reproductive stages of nearly all bopyrid isopod crustaceans of the northeastern Pacific have been described (Markham 1992) the pelagic larval dispersal stages have remained unknown.  Complications of either culturing these parasites through their entire life cycles or associating the pelagic stages with the adults, in situ, has largely precluded descriptions of the larval stages anywhere in the world.  We report epicaridan and cryptoniscan stages of Ione cornuta Bate, 1864, and Orthione griffenis Markham, 2004 that we identified by epicarids by direct association or by sexual attraction. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: John Chapman, Research Associate, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
REU Site: Newport

Jennifer Brookes
University of Portland - Portland, Oregon
Senior, majoring in Biochemistry and Biology

Research Title: Spectrometric Determination of Microbial Cell Numbers in Water Samples

Research Summary: My project included using the ZAPS MP.1 photo-spectrometer to test for the microbial cells in water. The instrument was able to make real time measurements of running water. The hope is that if the instrument works with microbes there will be industrial applications to use such an instrument to bypass many of the current limitations for water testing. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Rick Colwell, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Leah Carver
University of Massachusetts -Amherst - Amherst, Massachusetts
Senior, majoring in Geology and Earth Systems

Research Title: Analysis of Northeast Pacific cores EW9504-12PC and EW9504-13PC using 40Ar-39Ar dating, paleomagnetics, CaCO3 extraction, and radiolaria marker methods to determine glacial/interglacial influences in response to geographic location

Research Summary: Ocean cores EW9504-12PC and EW9504-13PC from the Northeast Pacific are uniquely influenced by their geographic location and sediment provenances.  A variety of methods are used to analyze the cores. 40Ar-39Ar dating give bulk sediment ages, paleomagnetics are used to correlate the cores to absolute time, calcium carbonate percentages show glacial and interglacial intervals, and radiolaria assemblages show regional upwelling and serve as time markers as well.  This study shows regional-scale climate variability with a focus on the variety of influences and their complexity on climate change. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Nick Pisias, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Daniel Fulton
Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin
Senior, majoring in Physics and Computer Science

Research Title: Assessing Model Surface and Subsurface Fields on the Oregon Shelf During Spring and Summer Upwelling

Research Summary: The goal and course of summer work is to create visualizations of model-data and model-model comparisons.  Early work focused on comparisons of Jason SSH and GOES SST data against model SSH and SST respectively, in the period between the January and July 2007, to assess the accuracy of geostrophic current and current front predictions, while current visualizations are exploring model subsurface fields through comparisons with mooring data in 2001.  MATLAB scripts developed for data processing and visualization will be integrated into the automatic prediction system, with the collaboration of COAS personnel (S. Erofeeva), to allow QC in the future (CIOSS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Alexander Kurapov, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Kirsten Heesacker
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Junior, majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife

Research Title: Short Tailed Albatross Research

Research Summary: Short-tailed albatross are pelagic birds whose lives are threatened by long line fisheries. Kirsten prototyped an exhibit and video based on by-catch from long line fisheries and the migration patterns of the short-tailed albatross. She installed a display with streamers used to deter albatross. Kirsten also received assistance with the development of the critical path and formative evaluation of her project.

Mentor: Bill Hanshumaker, OSU/Fisheries & Wildlife: Public Marine Education Specialist
Internship Site: Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center Internship

Marley Jarvis
Carleton College - Northfield, Minnesota
Senior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: Molt cycle and molting behavior of krill (Euphausia pacifica) off the Oregon Coast

Research Summary: My research is about the molting behavior of the krill species Euphausia pacifica.  I am staging Euphausia pacifica tails on slides in glycerin, which allows me to see what stage in the 6-day molt cycle the Euphausiid was in when it was sacrificed.  I am using this technique to answer questions about their molting behavior, such as whether or not Euphausia pacifica molt synchronously, as do some other species of krill.  I am also setting up a time series to verify my identification of the correct molt stage by sacrificing euphausiids on 6 hour increments after molting and staging their tails to view the molt stages at known intervals. (NSF/CIMRS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Bill Peterson, Professor, Oceanography (Courtesy); NOAA – Northwest Fisheries Science Center
REU Site: Newport

Jessica Johnson
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Senior, majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife

Research Title: Green Sea Turtle Project

Research Summary: Jesse prepared and cleaned a juvenile green sea turtles skeleton for reassembly. Re-articulated its skeleton and designed a vertical mount that allowed the visitor to open the plastron to reveal the skeleton. An exhibit based around the reassembled skeleton and shell, will be designed to educate the public about green sea turtle anatomy, migration patterns, biology, and their endangered/threatened status.

Mentor: Bill Hanshumaker, OSU/Fisheries & Wildlife: Public Marine Education Specialist
Internship Site: Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center Internship

Aurelie Labbat
University of Brest - France

Research Title: Tides Estimated Using an Inverse Model and Comparison with Tide Gauge Data

Research Summary: The establishment of a tides model using altimetric data from TOPEX/POSEIDON mission has already been made. The software is called OTIS. This study consists in using OTIS to make a model of English Channel tides which will be compared with validation data from tide gauges. A particular focus is an improved modeling of non-linear tides such as M4. (COAS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Gary Egbert, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Jessie Martinez
Carleton College - Northfield, Minnesota
Junior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: Life on the Edge: Edge Effects of Fish Use of Intertidal Seagrass Fragments

Research Summary: Examining the use of intertidal habitats including eelgrass and ground cultured oysters by estuarine fish.  Oysters are cultured in areas where eelgrass is present and often viewed as essential fish habitat. This project is a first attempt to see how fish utilize these habitats and whether this practice creates an edge effect on a landscape scale.  Also conducting initial experiments to test the effect of this habitat modification on juvenile English sole predation. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Brett Dumbauld, Research Ecologist, USDA-Agriculture Research Service
REU Site: Newport

Grady Maxwell
Oregon State University - Corvallis, Oregon
Masters Student, majoring in Public Health

Research Title: Development of HMSC Marine Science Academic Programs

Mentor: Itchung Cheung, Instructor, OSU Biology Program, Academic Program Coordinator, Hatfield Marine Science Center
Internship Site: PROMISE internship - HMSC

Emily Mortazavi
University of Arizona - Tucson, Arizona
Junior, majoring in Geosciences, Geology option

Research Title: Construction and Development of a Paleomagnetic and Environmental Magnetic Record from NE Pacific Core EW95-12JC

Research Summary: Using data from a u-channel cryogenic magnetometer, a magnetic stratigraphy of the EW9504-12PC core can be determined.  This gives a dating technique for this core.  In addition, to a time scale the environmental conditions of sedimentation can be determined using the magnetic mineralogy. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Joe Stoner, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Trevor Nace
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Senior, majoring in Environmental Geology

Research Title: Are Small Mountainous Streams a Significant Source of Carbon Burial as well as Sediment Transport During Periodic Inundation?

Research Summary: My research focused on determining the magnitude, depositional extent, and characteristics of particulate organic matter, derived from periodic inundation of small mountainous rivers, on coastal margins.  In addition, I hope to better understand the contribution of these small mountainous rivers on the coastal as well as global carbon cycle. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Miguel Goni, Associate Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Jamila-Dawn Payton
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Senior, majoring in Fisheries Biology

Research Title: Use of Wax Beads to Facilitate Bioencapsulation of Oxytetracycline by Artemia nauplii

Research Summary: Wax spray beads were evaluated as a means of delivering water-soluble antibiotics and therapeutics, such as oxytetracycline, to fish larvae. Fish larvae are unlikely to be able to digest wax beads but Artemia, a commonly used prey for rearing marine fish larvae, have grinding mouth parts that may be able to mechanically break down the wax beads, liberating the antibiotics. Artemia can then be used to deliver the liberated antibiotics to fish larvae. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Chris Langdon, Professor, Fisheries and Wildlife
REU Site: Newport

Elizabeth Prier
Bethany College - Lindsborg, Kansas
Junior, majoring in Biology

Research Title: Photoacclimation in Microalgae

Research Summary: The purpose of this project was to analyze the physiology of photoautotrophic marine organisms in regard to growth patterns under fluctuating light circumstances.  The goal in this project was to track the growth patterns of one algal group as a function of light fluctuation at different frequencies over a set period of time.  Because photoautotrophic marine organisms are an integral part of the global environment's stability, it is important to understand their physiology and how they adapt to be successful under various light situations. (CIOSS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Ricardo Letelier/Pete Strutton, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences/Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Jennifer Rolling
University of Maryland - Baltimore, Maryland
Junior, majoring in Physics

Research Title: Correlation of Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf Stream Extension with the Northern Hemisphere Annular Mode

Research Summary: The Northern Hemisphere annual mode (NAM, also known as the Arctic Oscillation) has been identified as the dominant mode of extratropical atmospheric variability in the Northern Hemisphere. Contrary to conventional wisdom suggesting a one-way forcing of midlatitude sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies by atmospheric variability, an empirical correlation has been found to suggest that small changes in SST in the Gulf Stream Extension region of the north Atlantic may precede the NAM on intraseasonal timescales. An investigation of this finding using the same SST dataset as well as a new higher-resolution SST dataset yields similar results but at significantly reduced amplitudes and correlation values. (CIOSS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Dudley Chelton/Eric Maloney, Distinguised Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences/Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Zahirah Salahuddin
University of Maine - Orono, Maine
Senior, majoring in Marine Science and Anthropology

Research Title: Phototaxis and habitat preference of juvenile flatfish

Research Summary: English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) are a commercially important species in the North Pacific. As juveniles, they are found in estuaries and coastal embayments. They use these areas for protection from large predators. Also, the abundance of food that is available in these areas enables them to grow much faster. In several laboratory experiments, we are going to simulate different light levels that could be found in the natural environment. Then, we are going to see which light preference they prefer. These applications will enable further studies of Rock sole and Pacific Halibut, two species that co-habitat with the English sole in Alaskan waters. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Cliff Ryer, Assistant Professor, Fisheries and Wildlife (Courtesy); NOAA – Alaska Fisheries Science Center
REU Site: Newport

Erin Seale
California State University  Fullerton - Fullerton, California
Senior

Research Title: Vertical Distribution of Pacific Cod Larvae with Varying Light Intensity

Research Summary: I examined how light level influences the distribution of Pacific cod larvae in vertical columns.  Fish behaviors were examined at 4°C and 8°C and compared over time to test for thermal effects and ontogenetic shifts. Pacific cod is a commercially important fishery species that spawns throughout the Gulf of Alaska and relies on ocean currents to deliver progeny to suitable nursery grounds. With existing oceanographic models of ocean currents in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, incorporating data on behavior of Pacific cod larvae can improve predictions of how dispersal and recruitment events in a changing environment might take place to preserve this fishery for years to come. (NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center-supported Intern)

Mentor: Tom Hurst, Research Fishery Biologist, NOAA - Alaska Fisheries Science Center
REU Site: Newport

Andrew Sherman
California State University Channel Islands - Camarillo, California
Senior, majoring in Chemistry

Research Title: Development of an Autonomous In-Situ Chemical Analyzer for Zinc in Seawater

Research Summary: This study will focused on an in-situ analyzer for total dissolved zinc concentrations. A commercially available nitrate analyzer will be modified for this work. Most of the lab time was used to find the optimal conditions in which the instrument can accurately measure zinc concentrations. Variables including pH, temperature, flow rate, sample and reagent volumes, and reagent concentrations will be studied. Because of its minuscule concentration in the ocean, any instrumentation must be extremely sensitive to zinc, and able to function with little to no chemical interference or background noise. (COAS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Zanna Chase, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis

Matt Stuckey
University of California Berkeley - Berkeley, California
Senior, majoring in Conservation & Resource Studies/Environmental Economics & Policy

Research Title: Networks of Geoduck Chronologies: The Potential for Sea Surface Temperature Reconstruction

Research Summary: Growth increment chronologies developed from the long-lived Pacific geoduck closely track ocean variability.  Geoduck chronologies capture between 50 and 60% of the variance in sea surface temperature (SST) records and can be used to reconstruct SST over the past 100 to 150 years.  However, at some sites in northern BC and AK the relationship between SST and geoduck growth has sharply diminished over the past 20 years.  A similar phenomenon has occurred in tree-ring chronologies at similar latitudes in a phenomenon known as the “divergence effect,” which may be a consequence of climate change.  The geoduck chronologies that show this divergence also have a history of harvesting which coincides with the dissociation of climate-growth relationships.  We developed additional geoduck chronologies at unharvested sites to determine whether the divergence effect is a consequence of human disturbance from harvesting or larger ecosystem shifts due to changing climate in the north Pacific.  (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Bryan Black, Assistant Professor, OSU/Hatfield Marine Science Center
REU Site: Newport

Jennifer Wolschllager
Eckerd College - St. Petersburg, Florida
Senior, majoring in Marine Science (Biology Track)

Research Title: Evidence of Selection in a Vomeronasal Type 1 Pheromone Receptor Gene in Fishes of the Family Embiotocidae

Research Summary: Numerous fish species have been shown to use pheromonal communication to mediate mating interactions. In mice, and other mammals, pheromones are received/processed by a large family of vomeronasal type 1 (V1r) pheromone receptor genes. Although fishes do not have a vomeronasal organ, they have recently been shown to possess one or two V1r-like genes, which are thought to have a similar function in fishes as in mammals. I sequenced V1r pheromone receptor genes in 15 of the 23 species in the Family Embiotocidae in order to characterize sequence differences and look for evidence of selection in the genes. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Michael Banks, Professor of Fisheries and Wildlife
REU Site: Newport

Diane Wu
Cornell University - Ithaca, New York
Junior, majoring in Chemistry and History

Research Title: Increasing Power Generation in Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells through Supplementation with Lactate

Research Summary: An important factor that affects power output from a microbial fuel cell is the electron transfer process at the anode.  In the lab, I built fuel cells and conducted time course experiments to investigate if the electron transfer process is sensitive to the addition of an exogenous electron donor. In addition, I collected and analyzed chemical samples to determine the efficiency of carbon oxidation and how the supplemented fuel cells performed over time. (NSF-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Clare Reimers, Professor, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Newport

Regina Yopack
Simmons College - Boston, Massachusetts
Senior, majoring in Physics and Environmental Science

Research Title: Comparing Glider Observed Velocities and Geostrophic Currents

Research Summary: The use of autonomous underwater gliders is a new, cost effective approach to studying oceanic processes.  Coastal gliders are being used to profile the Oregon coast's unique upwelling season as well as profile for such variables as hypoxia and water velocities.  The water velocities measured by the glider are used to help characterize the surface layer of water and it's seasonal variations.  The comparison of observed water velocities by the glider using dead reckoning and modeled geostrophic currents helps to reveal geostrophic influence on the upper Ekman layers whose velocities are mostly effected by atmospheric conditions. (CIOSS-supported REU Intern)

Mentor: Kipp Shearman, Assistant Professor, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences
REU Site: Corvallis