Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Chair: Charlotte A. Brunner, University of Southern Mississippi

Vice-chair: Paulinus Chigbu, Jackson State University 

THURSDAY MORNING

Oak Room A

8:00 THE INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS ON BIOTA AND BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES IN COASTAL WATERS

Charlotte A. Brunner and Paulinus Chigbu, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 and Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

The symposium theme is intended to cover a range of topics such as, but not limited to, coastal hypoxia and eutrophication, microbial fecal pollution and enteric pathogens in coastal waters, harmful algal blooms, impact of invasive species on coastal environments, human and climate impacts on nursery habitats of fish (e.g., as explored through otolith microchemistry or other tools), problems in coastal erosion, impacts of ENSO events, modeling of processes affected in part by human activities, etc.

9:00 FULFILLING THE ROLE OF A CIVIC SCIENTIST: A CASE STUDY OF THE "EVALUATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR THE BAY OF ST. LOUIS" (EEQ) PROJECT

Pradnya Sawant* and Donald G. Redalje, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Determining the human and climate change impacts on the coastal waters is essential to improve our understanding of these ecosystems. There are, however, three major aspects that such studies must include. First, a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach is necessary. Secondly, it is important to communicate the scientific findings to the decision makers. Finally, it is imperative to share the results with all the stakeholders. EEQ in the bay of St. Louis is one such effort. We have monitored this ecosystem periodically and looked at the relationship between the environmental quality of this estuary and the factors influencing it. The primary concerns are anthropogenic impacts superimposed with the effects of the variability in climate. Based on the results, we have proposed to develop an evaluation system for the bay that may be used as an effective management tool. All of the environmental data will be shared with the community using the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping techniques. Through this project we have addressed the three major components necessary to translate the science into the information required by the policy makers and rightfully demanded by the society. It is our attempt of responding to the changing duties of the scientific community and moving on from being just scientists to becoming civic scientists.

9:15 FOSSIL INDICATORS OF LOW OXYGEN HOT SPOTS IN THE MISSISSIPPI BIGHT 

Charlotte A. Brunner (1*), Jennifer Beall (2), and Yoko Furukawa (3), (1) University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529; (2) Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA 70802; and (3) Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Foraminifer proxies of oxygenation suggest low oxygen conditions in several hot spots in the Mississippi Bight. Several foraminifer proxies of water column oxygenation were tabulated from core-top data collected in 1951 and 1956 and compared to core tops collected in 1999-2000 during the Northern Gulf of Mexico Littoral Initiative (NGLI). Additionally, the oxygenation history of a site near the Balize delta was evaluated over the past one hundred years based on samples from a gravity core dated by 210Pb. The results from the 1950s core-top collections suggest recurrent low oxygen conditions on the shelf at hot-spot locales seaward of the Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands and the eastern distributaries of the Balize delta. Specifically, the ratio of Ammonia to Elphidium exceeds 80% seaward of Horn Island Pass, Ship Island Pass, and Mobile Bay in the Mississippi-Alabama barrier island region, and seaward of Pass a Loutre and the southernmost outlet from Breton Sound in the Balize delta area. Consistent with these results are reports of sporadic, low-to-hypoxic oxygen concentrations in bottom waters at several of these sites associated with seasonally-high, average surface chlorophyll-a and seasonal strengthening of a freshwater cap. Results from core tops collected in 1999-2000 indicate that the low-oxygen hot spot is increasing in size seaward of Pass a Loutre. Results from the gravity core 45 km east of Pass a Loutre indicate no clear change in conditions over the past century, placing a limit on the maximum extent of apparent low oxygen conditions.

9:30 THE USE OF HEART RATE IN CALLINECTES SAPIDUS RATHBUN AS AN INDICATOR OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH: A GLOBAL HEART BEAT PROGRAM INITIATIVE

Matt Reudelhuber (1*), Harriet Perry (2), and Judith Williams (1), (1) University of Southern Mississippi, Long Beach, MS 39560 and (2) University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

The health of the oceans is inextricably tied to our own. Industrial processes, residential development, and commercial/recreational activities introduce contaminants that impact coastal waters and riverine systems. Traditionally, the biological effects of pollutants have been addressed using acute lethal toxicity tests that provide information on the concentration of a particular chemical that will kill a certain proportion of the population. Bio-monitoring is a tool that may prove useful in the identification of the impact of sub-lethal toxicity from pollutants. Project Global Heartbeat is an international environmental program that uses new, non-invasive scientific technology to assess how well marine organisms adapt to stress in their environment. This program uses a computer-aided physiological monitoring system (CAPMON) to measure the heartbeats of crustaceans and molluscs. Because heart rate in these organisms has been linked to environmental stress, it provides a measure of the health of individual ecosystems and can serve as an early warning system for ecological degradation. The present study compared heart rate of blue crabs from degraded waters with crabs from more pristine areas. The methodology, modified from previous and on-going biomonitoring studies, recorded heart rate of crabs in natural settings, upon return to the laboratory and before and after addition of a stressor.

9:45 PROJECT GLOBAL HEARTBEAT: ESTABLISHING BASELINE DATA FOR DETERMINING EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON HEART RATE IN THE BLUE CRAB CALLINECTES SAPIDUS

Christina Vorhoff (1,2*), Oliver Kuttner (1,2), Harriet Perry (3), and Matt Reudelhuber (3,4), (1) Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Gautier, MS 39533; (2) National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Stennis Space Center, MS 39522; (3) University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39564; (4) University of Southern Mississippi, Long Beach Campus, MS 39560

Project Global Heartbeat is an international environmental program that uses non-invasive scientific technology to assess ecosystem health. A computer-aided physiological monitoring system (CAPMON) is used to measure heartbeats of crustaceans because heart rate in these organisms has been linked to environmental stress. To examine the effect of environmental stress on heart rate, baseline data must first be collected to determine individual crab variability. Intermolt, male, blue crabs of similar size were collected by drop net from the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory pier and heart rate determined using the CAPMON unit. Heart rates were measured at the time of capture, immediately after transportation to GCRL, and after acclimation to laboratory conditions for 24 hours. Temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were measured in the field at the time of capture and a water sample taken to determine pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and total phosphate. Current data will become part of a larger data set to provide information on variability of heart rate of individual blue crabs. Once variability has been addressed, data from crabs collected from degraded waters can be compared with data from crabs from more pristine areas and the usefulness of this technique evaluated.

10:00 DETERMINATION OF DISSOLVED GALLIUMIN PROFILES FROM THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS

Gautam Raj Bairamadgi* and Alan Shiller, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

The seawater gallium (Ga) distribution is of interest due to the aeolian source of this element. Its chemical similarity to aluminum can be used to test assumptions about the use of Al as a deep-water mass tracer. We have determined dissolved Ga in oceanic profiles using Mg-induced co-precipitation (MagIC) and isotope dilution ICP-MS. The method involves adding clean ammonium hydroxide to the acidified seawater sample to precipitate magnesium hydroxide, which, in turn, scavenges the trace elements of interest from solution. The Mg precipitate needs to be rinsed several times to eliminate barium, an interferent. With a 7 ml sample, a detection limit in the low picomolar range is possible and other elements such as lead and cadmium can be determined simultaneously. Results to date are similar to other published seawater Ga data; for instance, surface Atlantic concentrations are in the 30-50 pM range. Further analyses should shed light on possible anthropogenic inputs as well as dust inputs to the western North Pacific Ocean.

10:15 Break

10:30 DETERMINATION OF TRACE METALS IN FISH OTOLITHS BY ICP-MS

Zikri Arslan, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

Otoliths are calcium carbonate biominerals in the inner ear of vertebrate fish. These biominerals provide balance and hearing to fish. Trace elements from resident waters incorporate into the crystal lattice of the otoliths throughout the life of fish. The levels of these elements in otoliths reflect the chemical composition of the resident waters and are therefore useful indicators of fish's past history and natal origin. Two particular challenges, however, hamper the accuracy of the information from otoliths by solution ICP-MS; very low concentrations of trace metals and interferences from calcium matrix that results from the dissolution of otolith calcium carbonate. Several sample introduction techniques have been developed for on-line and off-line removal of calcium from otolith digests. In on-line method, a mini-column of an iminodiacetate chelating resin is used to separate trace elements from calcium. Trace elements retained on the column are flushed to ICP-MS instrument with dilute acid. In off-line method, calcium is precipitated with hydrofluoric acid. An ETV device is used for introduction of samples to the instrument. Methods are validated by analysis of a fish otolith reference material and then applied to analysis of otoliths of fish from different estuaries. Not only are both methods capable of measuring small differences in otolith elemental concentrations, but also they are complementary to gather more information from otoliths as they enable the determination of several different elements.

10:45 ASSAY DEVELOPMENT AND MEASUREMENT OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN G (IGG) LEVELS IN THE SPECTACLED EIDER (SOMATERIU FISCHERI)

Jill M. Frank*, Bobby L. Middlebrooks, and Rhonda A. Patterson, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Populations of eiders in Alaska have been in a state of decline since the 1970s. Given the importance of the immune system to survival and health and the fact that perturbations in the immune system may provide indications of stress within a population, examination of the eider immune system may shed some light on the plight that these birds are facing. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was isolated from the yolks of fourteen spectacled eider eggs (infertile or from abandoned nests), which were provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center (Seward, AK). Egg yolk extraction was chosen not only because it is a noninvasive method but also because large amounts of antibody are stored in the yolk. In SDS-PAGE, Grabar Williams, and Western blot assays commercially available anti-chicken IgG has been shown to have binding affinity for the immunoglobulin isolated from the eider egg yolk. Subsequently, the IgG in the extracted yolk samples was further purified using an affinity column coupled with purchased anti-chicken IgG. A sandwich ELISA was developed to measure spectacled eider serum IgG concentrations. One hundred and forty serum samples were assayed and IgG levels were determined. Significant differences were found between captive and wild birds (p < 0.01) and also between males and females of the wild population (p < 0.01). No significant difference was found between males and females of the captive population.

11:00 KUDOA SP. FROM BRAIN OF GULF KILLIFISH (FUNDULUS GRANDIS) IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO

Joshua O. Cook*, Stephen A. Bullard, Robin M. Overstreet, and Reginald B. Blaylock, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39566

A myxozoan has not been reported from the brain of species in the genus Fundulus. Reports of myxozoan infections in the brains of other teleosts suggest that plasmodia may exert pressure on adjacent brain tissue, speculatively affecting host behavior. Most species of Kudoa infect skeletal muscle, but a few infect the gills, brain, gall bladder, ovary, and heart. Kudoa contains four species that reportedly infect the brain of teleosts: K. cerebralis from connective tissue in the brain, K. tetraspora from optic lobes, and K. paralichthys and Kudoa sp. from the brain. A recent survey of the parasites of Fundulus grandis in the northern Gulf of Mexico from Mississippi Sound and adjacent waters revealed the presence of a fifth species of Kudoa in the brain. The infection was present at only one of the four collection sites surveyed, and it occurred in one of the sixty fish collected at that site. Kudoa has not been reported previously as infecting the brain of a cyprinid. Funded in part by the Tidelands Trust Fund through the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (03-042).

11:15 THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM (CenGOOS)

Stephan Howden (1*), Don Roman (2), Steven Lohrenz (2), and David Dodd (2), (1) University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 and (2) University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

The national integrated coastal ocean observing system is envisioned to have multiple operational nodes on all U.S. coasts. In the Gulf of Mexico, start-up systems are operational along the Texas and Florida coasts. However, a "gap" in coastal ocean observations exists currently in the central Gulf of Mexico region. Marine science researchers at USM have identified a need for a coastal observing system in this dynamic region of the Gulf of Mexico, a region where the Mississippi River has a major influence on oceanographic processes. To fill this gap, USM researchers have developed and are deploying a single data platform in the central Gulf of Mexico in coastal waters south of Mississippi. USM is a signatory of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) governance and participates in requisite GCOOS planning and data sharing. The Central Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System (CenGOOS) will close a key "gap" in the integrated ocean observing system in the Gulf and it will support vital research and observations that will help predict environmental change, manage ocean resources, protect life and property, and provide decision makers with reliable scientific information. An ocean observing systems in the central Gulf of Mexico is important to enable the observation and prediction of such processes as hypoxia, harmful algal blooms and other important changes in this vital coastal region that produces an abundance of seafood, a significant fraction of the country's energy needs, and is of prime importance to the shipping industry.

11:30 Divisional Poster Session

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF METAL CONTAMINATION IN THREE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST AREA BAYOUS

Joyce Williams (1*), Paulinus Chigbu (1), Paul B. Tchounwou (1), Ibrahim O. Farah (1), David Ruple (2), and Mark Woodrey (2), (1) Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217 and (2) Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Moss Point, MS 39562

The concentrations of selected metals in water and sediments in Bayou Heron and Bayou Cumbest located within the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR), a relatively pristine area, and Bayou Cassotte located outside the GBNERR in a more industrialized area were examined. Samples were collected in October and December 2003 from 4 sites along each bayou, and were analyzed for lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, manganese, molybdenum and copper using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Lead (average: 3.19 mg/kg) and nickel (average: 2.67 mg/kg) had the highest concentrations in the sediment whereas cadmium (average: 0.06 mg/kg) had the lowest concentration. Similarly, lead (average: ~275 [micro]g/L) and nickel (average: 125 [micro]g/L) concentrations in water were higher than the concentrations of other metals examined (average: < 8.5 [micro]g/L). Lead (4.17 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.07 mg/kg) levels were higher in sediments from Bayou Cassotte than in sediments from Bayou Cumbest (2.30 mg/kg Pb; 0.05 mg/kg Cd) and Bayou Heron (3.08 mg/kg Pb; 0.04 mg/kg Cd). This may be due to the proximity of Bayou Cassotte to industries in the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Studies are on-going to characterize seasonal variations in metal levels and water quality in the bayous.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Oak Room A

1:30 STATISTICAL AND CHANGE-DETECTION ANALYSES USING THE SIDESCAN-SONAR DATA FROM SOUTHWEST REGION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SOUND.

Vidyavathy Renganathan* and Jerald Caruthers, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406 and University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Sediment classification is important for mine detection, data compression and environmental management studies. The main purpose of this study is to conduct statistical analyses of side-scan sonar data and to develop a change-detection algorithm to identify any changes in the sediment types on the seafloor. The data for this study was collected using modified side-scan sonar (SSS). The change-detection algorithms that is dealt with, in this study, is based upon mean, standard deviation and chi-square test statistics. The approach is to create PDF of the entire data and compare it with the PDFs of smaller domains. The main focus of this task is to determine which one of the sub-PDF best represents the finite segment under consideration. This was done using Chi-square test. The sub-PDF with the least chi-square goodness-of-fit value is chosen to represent the domain under consideration.

1:45 AN EPIZOOTIC OF NEOBENEDENIA MELLENI (MONOGENEA: CAPSALIDAE) ON THE EXTERNAL BODY SURFACES OF RED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS) IN RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE 

Stephen A. Bullard* and Robin M. Overstreet, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39566

Neobenedenia melleni is a serious pathogen of aquacultured and aquarium-held fishes because it has a direct life cycle and exhibits minimal site- and host- specificity, infecting the eyes, fins, gill cavity, nasal cavity, and skin of over 100 teleost species. Details about the pathological alterations to host tissue associated with debilitating infections of N. melleni are lacking, but a recent epizootic on 200 captive red snapper represented an opportunity to document the relationship. Grossly, the heavily-infected fish had ragged fins, missing scales, clouded eyes, and skin appearing as a steadily-undulating, glistening surface. Histologically, the epidermis was severely altered. Some scales were covered by a thinned epidermis comprised of scant goblet and malpighian cells. However, in other regions, cell-to-cell junctions were separated, scales were dislodged, and the epidermis was absent or separated from the dermis. The cornea was hyperplastic. Two strains of the bacterium Chryseobacterium indologenes were isolated from the skin, and trophonts of the dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum were attached to the gill epithelium; any of those could contribute to the health of fish. The epidermis of the snapper is an osmotic barrier. When breached, osmotic imbalance may result or the volume of lymph circulating in the dermis may be altered, negatively affecting the circulating blood volume as well as debilitating the infected fish or making it vulnerable to secondary infections. Supported by NOAA/NMFS Marine Stock Enhancement Program Award No. NA06FL0501.

2:00 SKIN LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DENDROMONOCOTYLE OCTODISCUS (MONOGENEA: MONOCOTYLIDAE) ON BLUNTNOSE STINGRAYS (DASYATIS SAY) AND YELLOW STINGRAYS (UROBATIS JAMAICENSIS) IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

Hannah Fouasnon* and Stephen A. Bullard, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Monogeneans are serious pathogens of sharks and stingrays in public aquaria; however, we know little about their relationships with wild hosts. Skin lesions associated with the ectoparasite Dendromonocotyle octodiscus on the dorsum of bluntnose stingrays, Dasyatis say, from off Horn Island, MS, and yellow stingrays, Urobatis jamaicensis, from off Long Key, FL, were studied using standard histological techniques. Adult Atlantic stingrays, Dasyatis sabina, as well as embryos of D. say and U. jamaicensis were uninfected and used as negative controls. This monogenean apparently exhibits a high degree of site and host specificity, infecting the dorsum of D. say and U. jamaicensis only. The lesion associated with infection by D. octodiscus was relatively superficial. Grossly, lesions were irregularly-shaped dark gray skin patches typically located on the anterodorsal surface of the disk adjacent to and between the eyes. Light microscopy revealed that the haptor of adult D. octodiscus attached to a smooth-surfaced, continuous epithelium that was only slightly thickened, if at all, and that the dermis in all samples was intact and usually indistinguishable from the control tissue. Although infrequently clustered beneath the basement membrane of lesioned skin, granulocytes with brightly eosinophilic intracytoplasmic granules, resembling eosinophils, resided in the dermis and epidermis of all skin samples.

2:15 AQUACULTURE OF THE BLUE CRAB, CALLINECTES SAPIDUS RATHBUN

Dyan Gibson*, Harriet Perry, Christine Trigg, Verlee Breland, Casey Nicholson, John Ogle, and Faye Mallette, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Aquaculture of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun can provide a source of crabs to enhance natural stocks and be a source of peeler crabs for the soft crab industry. Impediments to the development of culture techniques for this species have included their lengthy larval development and cannibalistic nature. This study investigated the feasibility of rearing blue crabs from eggs under laboratory conditions. Latestage ovigerous crabs were collected from waters in the Mississippi Sound and were held individually in glass aquaria until they spawned. Active, newly-hatched zoeae were collected en masse, counted, and transferred into cylindrical fiberglass tanks (1.2m X 1.2 m) containing 1000 L of synthetic seawater of 30 ppt salinity at 25[degrees]C. Zoeae were stocked at a rate of 100 larvae per liter. Test systems were both filtered and unfiltered. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and nitrite levels were monitored. Larvae were counted, fed daily, and moltstages were determined. Early zoeal stages were fed rotifers, Brachionus plicatilis, and later zoeal stages were fed Artemia salina nauplii. Tests were repeated. Blue crabs were successfully raised through the seven zoeal stages to the megalopal stage in both systems. Length of time from zoea I to megalopa varied from 20 to 31 days. Highest percent survival was 15% compared to 30% and higher for similar studies from the Chesapeake Bay area.

2:30 CAN FRACTURES IN SOFT SEDIMENTS HOST SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF GAS HYDRATES?

Carol Lutken (1*), Tom McGee (1), Rudy Rogers (2), Jennifer Dearman (2), F.L. Lynch (2), Charlotte A. Brunner (3), Jenny Kuykendall (3), and Bob Woolsey (1), (1) University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677; (2) Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762; and (3) University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Current interest concerning what types of geologic features contain significant accumulations of gas hydrate arises from the expectation that someday commercial quantities of natural gas will be produced from hydrates. Various geologic structures within the hydrate stability zone have been imaged, seismically, but there is little consensus concerning serious candidates for exploratory drilling. Some investigators favor targeting sandy sediments where porosity and permeability are greater than in silts and clays. Others expect fractures within fine-grained sediments may host greater volumes of hydrates. The latter scenario seems to fit better with conditions in the hydrate stability zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico and with laboratory results. Hydrates have been created in the laboratory by adding natural gas, sea water and naturally occurring microbial surfactants to artificial sediments comprised of smectite, kaolinite and sand under appropriate conditions of pressure and temperature. Findings show that biosurfactants greatly enhance hydrate formation and that hydrates form preferentially on smectite (a known component of soft sediments in the Gulf) rather than kaolinite or sand. Given sufficient natural gas, all that remains to complete the formation of hydrates is a mechanism of producing a dense population of fractures open to gas and water circulation. This presentation postulates that the mechanism is polygonal faulting and provides supporting evidence.

2:45 Divisional Business Meeting

FRIDAY MORNING

Oak Room A

9:00 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF SWIMMING PERFORMANCE AND RECOVERY OF JUVENILE RED SNAPPER, LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS, FROM THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO.

Bryan A. Cage* and Glenn R. Parsons, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677

The assessment of swimming performance and recovery from forced exercise was conducted at 18[degrees]C and 25[degrees]C to describe the relationship between fish size, temperature, and swimming velocity (intensity). The goals were to define active, burst, and critical swimming speeds of juvenile snapper, profile recovery from several levels of forced exercise, compare recovery lengths between rested/non-rested, post-exercise fish (exposed to 0 or 10 cm/sec current following swimming bout fatigue), and determine the effect of temperature on each of these components. All experiments were conducted in a 1kl Brett style swim tunnel located at the University of Mississippi. Lactate, hematocrit, glucose, and cortisol were measured to determine recovery time. Burst speeds (highest swimming velocity lasting < 20 seconds) were in excess of 2m/sec at 18 [degrees]C and 25 [degrees]C for all but the smallest fish tested. Critical swimming speeds were significantly lower during winter months, but showed little variation between day and night swimming. Preliminary indications suggest that recovery time from exhaustive exercise in juvenile snapper is directly proportional to exercise intensity (swimming speed) and temperature, and that post exercise activity may shorten the recovery period.

9:15 SUBSTRATE PREFERENCE OF THE SNAPPING SHRIMP, ALPHEUS HETEROCHAELIS, FROM THE CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND AREA

Raymond Pluhar* and Bruce L. Haase, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 and East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

Substrate preference of the snapping shrimp, Alpheus heterochaelis, from Chincoteague, VA was determined through laboratory experimentation. Pairs of shrimp were placed in an experimental tank with six types of substrates (mud, sand, crushed shell, fine gravel, coarse gravel, and pebbles) and a clear area as the control. The shrimp chose the coarse gravel substrate nearly 80% of the time and was followed by the muddy substrate with a mere 11%. The results were significant for the coarse gravel (P < 0.05), but not for the muddy substrate (P > 0.05).

9:30 RECORDS OF THE GIANT NORTH PACIFIC SQUID MOROTEUTHIS ROBUSTA (FAMILY ONYCHOTEUTHIDAE)

Will V. Bet-Sayad* and Glenn R. Parsons, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677

The giant North Pacific Squid Moroteuthis robusta (Family Onychoteuthidae) is an elusive species in its natural habitat and in the literature (fewer than 10 publications). Much of our knowledge of this species comes from specimens that have washed ashore, in physical states that yielded more questions than answers. We report on two specimens of the giant North Pacific squid captured in the Bering Sea. The first was an incidental capture by commercial pollock fishermen while trawling during the day at 210 m depth on 27 June 2002 at 54[degrees]28.44' W 165[degrees]39.59'. The squid was male and weighed 41.73 kg. Its total length, measured from the top of the mantle to the tip of the longest tentacles, was 3.72 m. The second specimen was captured at 54[degrees]30.41' W 165[degrees]32.55'. The squid was also an incidental capture by commercial Pollock fisherman while trawling at night at 288 m depth. The squid was female and weighed 33.57 kg. The total length measured 3.2 m. These captures were significant because 1. the species is rare, 2. the proximity of capture of the specimens (within 20 km of each other) may suggest that the area of capture is biologically significant (migratory, mating, or feeding grounds), 3. these were the largest known specimens wherein reliable catch data (location, depth, and time) were available, and 4. being freshly deceased, biological data such as tentacle length, eye diameter and sex was recorded, information rarely available from washed ashore specimens.

9:45 ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF LYASE-DEPOLYMERIZED PRODUCTS OF ALGINATE 

Xiaoke Hu (1*), Xiaolu Jiang (2), Jun Gong (2), Huey-Min Hwang (1), Yan Liu (2), and Huashi Guan (2), (1) Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217 and (2) Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China

A series of mannuronic acid (M-block) and guluronic acid (G-block) fractions (M1-5 and G1-5) with different molecular weights were obtained by lyase depolymerization of alginate and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against 19 bacterial strains. The antibacterial data revealed that both types of fractions generally showed activity against certain tested bacteria, whereas M-block fractions showed broader spectra and more potent inhibition than G-block ones. Among these fractions, M3 (molecular weight 4.235 kDa) exhibited the broadest spectrum of inhibition and high inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli (minimal inhibitory concentrations, MIC = 0.312 ig m[L.sup.-1]), Salmonella paratyphi B (MIC = 0.225ig m[L.sup.-1]), Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.016 ig m[L.sup.-1]) and Bacillus subtilis (MIC = 0.325 ig m[L.sup.-1]). This research and the presentation trip are supported by (1) the Shandong Province Key Project of China #003110112 and (2) U.S. Department of the Army #W911NF-04-1-0327.

10:00 Break

10:15 TOWARD MODELING OF THE CIRCULATION OF THE INDONESIAN SEAS

Kieran O'Driscoll* and Vladimir Kamenkovich, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

The Indonesian Seas play a crucial role in the global ocean circulation. The circulations in these seas provide the major link between the Pacific and Indian Ocean. The three dimensional circulation of the Indonesian Seas is studied using a primitive equation sigma-coordinate numerical ocean model, the Princeton Ocean Model. A smoothed bottom topography has been used that retains important topographical features affecting the Indonesian Seas circulation (e.g., sills). Four open ports are configured in the model to simulate the impact of the Mindanao Current, New Guinea Coastal Current and North Equatorial Counter Current on the Indonesian circulation. The fourth port is introduced in the Indian Ocean part of the model to support the specified transport of the Indonesian Through-flow. The most difficult part of this study is the formulation of the open boundary conditions. For the barotropic motion we specify the velocity distribution across the ports. For the baroclinic motion some simplified versions of the basic equations are used at the entrance of the ports with nudging to the climatological characteristics. The parameters of nudging for inflow and outflow ports are substantially different. The results of a series of numerical experiments are discussed to reveal the physical mechanisms that control the splitting of the currents within the area and the role of the bottom form stress in the overall momentum balance.

10:30 EFFECT OF SALINITY ON POPULATION GROWTH OF THE MARINE ROTIFER, COLURELLA SP.

Vasile Suchar* and Paulinus Chigbu, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217

Few marine rotifer species (Encentrum linnhei, Synchaeta cecilia, S. cecilia valentina, and S. littoralis) have been successfully cultured beside Brachionus plicatilis and B. rotundiformis. A Colurella species isolated from the Mississippi Gulf Coast area was cultured with artificial seawater using six different algae species (Nannochloropsis oculata, Chaetoceros gracilis, Tetraselmis chuii, Isochrysis galbana, Rhodomonas salina, and Prorocentrum micans). An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of six salinity levels (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 ppt) on Colurella population growth rate. Rotifers were fed Nannochloropsis oculata at a density of 100,000 cells/ml for 15 days. Salinity influenced rotifer production (p < 0.001). Rotifer numbers (Mean [+ or -] SD) at the end of the experiment were similar at lower salinity levels (Fisher's PLSD, p > 0.730): 15 ppt (25,980 [+ or -] 7071), 10 ppt (22,840 [+ or -] 2640), and 20 ppt (19,780 [+ or -] 1029), but were comparatively higher (Fisher's PLSD, p < 0.02) than at 25 ppt (4,240 [+ or -] 1783), 30 ppt (1,300 [+ or -] 264), and 35 ppt (100 [+ or -] 101). Population growth rates (r) of Colurella sp. ranged from ~0.4 day -1 at 15 ppt to ~0.0 day -1 at 35 ppt. The population growth rate of Colurella sp. at 30 ppt (~0.2 day -1) is similar to the growth rate observed in previous experiments conducted at similar salinity, food type and levels.

10:45 MEASURING BUBBLE VOLUME USING AN ELECTROMAGNETIC DETECTOR

Kevin M. Martin* and Vernon Asper, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

This study looks at a new technique to quantify the bubbling volumes using an inductive conductivity cell. The principle behind this device is that a bubble passing through the inductive cell will displace seawater, changing the conductivity of the volume detected by the sensor. The changes in conductivity can be empirically related to bubble volume. The prototype device, based on a Brancker analogue conductivity cell, uses a Tattletale Model 8 data logger to digitize and record the analogue signal. Under laboratory conditions of 1 atm, 20 [degrees]C and S = 35, preliminary results confirm the expected drop in conductivity resulting from a bubble displacing the volume of seawater detected by the sensor. These conductivity changes appear to be proportional to the bubble volume and our ongoing efforts will focus on calibrating the system using a variety of bubble sizes.

11:00 DETERMINATION OF V, MN, AND CO IN SEAWATER USING MAGIC WISRD AND HR-ICP-MS

Alan Shiller* and Patrick Heidingsfelder, University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Magnesium-induced co-precipitation (MagIC) has been used for the determination of a number of elements in seawater. The principle of the method is straight forward: a small amount of clean ammonium hydroxide is added to the sample to precipitate magnesium hydroxide which, in turn, scavenges the elements of interest from solution. For ICP-MS analysis of dissolved metals in seawater, others have used an isotope dilution version of this method. We have extended this method for the determination of mono-isotopic Mn and Co as well as V (for which a suitable enriched isotope spike is not available) in seawater. Enriched isotopic spikes of Cr and Fe are added to the sample, the precipitation performed and the elements quantified "with internal standard ratio determination" (WISRD). Absolute calibration of Mn, Co, and V is performed by analysis of a known standard. Medium resolution HR-ICP-MS analysis is required to resolve spectral interferences from remaining sea salt. Typically, 5 mL of seawater is used and detection limits in the picomolar range are achievable. In other words, with this method we can determine these elements at their natural levels in uncontaminated seawater. Use of enriched Cr and Fe as internal standards allows quantification of those elements at the same time. We have further extended the method to most of the first row transition elements by addition of enriched Cu, Ni, and Zn.