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Undergraduate Research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Faculty mentorsand proposed projects for SURF projects- Summer 2013
- Investigating CaCO3 dissolution/dissolution rates in the context
of ocean acidification (Prof. Andreas Andersson)
- Cycling of biologically active trace metals in marine systems (Prof. Katherine Barbeau)
- Evolutionary genetics and molecular ecology of marine organisms (Prof. Ron Burton)
- Biochemical characterization of light producing compounds (bioluminescence and fluorescence) (Dr. Dimitri Deheyn)
- Physical science of climate and climate change; the role of aerosols and meteorological clouds (Prof. Amato Evan)
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Phytoplankton photosynthetic physiology and ecology; Applications
of ocean optics and satellite remote sensing in coral reef ecology (Dr. B. Greg
Mitchell)
- Whale acoustics; analyses of long-term Southern California fin
whale songs recordings and fin whale song pattern description (Dr. Ana Sirovic)
- Influence of Anthropogenic Noise on the
Echolocation Behavior of Beaked Whales (Dr. Simone Baumann-Pickering) Beaked whales appear to be affected by
anthropogenic noise, particularly navy sonar but likely other loud sound
sources as well. Beaked whale echolocation is discriminable to species
level and therefore well suited for long-term acoustic monitoring. In this
research project we intend to quantify how anthropogenic noise may influence
echolocation behavior of beaked whales in the Southern California Bight.
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Paleomagnetic studies of sedimentary core records from continental margins (Prof. Jeff Gee)
- Tracing pollution in near shore marine systems and examining changes in near shore foodwebs (Prof. Carolyn Kurle)
- Ecology of coastal and deep sea benthic ecosystems, ecosystems responses to climate change (deoxygenation, acidification) (Prof. Lisa Levin)
- Applications of magnetic measurements on local igneous rocks to examine the record of the magnetic field during the Cretaceous. (Prof. Lisa Tauxe) Project Description: The
strength of the magnetic field varies through time from roughly a tenth
of the present field to some four times the current strength over time scales
from a few centuries (or shorter) to 10s or 100s of million years. The
field now is in a state in which it reverses its polarity on every four times
per million years but there are times in the past when it didn't reverse for
10s of millions of years. Some believe that the two processes are linked
and that the field during times of frequent reversals is weaker than times when
it doesn't reverse at all. Yet data are scarce for the non-reversing
intervals, the last of which was the Cretaceous. There is a great pile of
Cretaceous aged igneous material in the mountains directly to the East of us
and it is possible that these rocks retain an excellent record of the ancient
magnetic field. The research project will be to analyze material in hand
to determine if the rocks are suitable for study. Then, the student will
design and carry out a sampling program, and measure their own samples in the
lab. If successful, this project could result in a published paper. Students need a background in field geology and petrology.
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Characteristics of microbial communities in deep-ocean trenches (Prof. Douglas Bartlett) Project Description: Isolation
and characterization of novel deep-sea microbes from hydrothermal vents and
from deep-ocean trenches (Mid-Caymen Rise vent system and the Mariana Trench).
The projects would entail the cultivation of extremophilic microorganisms
at high pressure and under diverse physiological conditions in order to explore
the adaptations of life to the largest portion of the biosphere. Isolates
would be characterized with regard to phylogenetics, morphology, growth
characteristics, substrate utilization, and perhaps biotechnology potential. Knowledge
of sterile technique and some molecular biology is a great advantage.
But, at a minimum students should have knowledge of general chemistry and
biology, be able to prepare chemical stock solutions of a specific molarity,
and arrive prepared to work five days per week and fulfill all of the
obligations associated with fully participating in this REU program. We
are looking forward to working with students who are highly motivated to obtain
specialized training in molecular microbiology and to characterize the
diversity of life present in relatively unstudied, remote, extreme and
alien-like settings.
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Surface
wave and ambient noise tomography using ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) (Prof. Gabi Laske) Project
description: Seismic tomography is a geophysicist's workhorse to image Earth's
internal structure. Surface waves help unravel anomalies that reach down into
the asthenosphere, or about 200 km in depth. We will use data gathered on
OBSs deployed
around Hawaii to examine details of the magma plumbing system that feeds Hawaii's
volcanoes."
- Terrestrial volcanology and
geochemistry- Studies of lunar and planetary formation (Prof.James Day)
- Physical oceanography or climate modeling (Dr. Art Miller)
- Petrology
and isotope geochemistry of the post-subduction magnesian andesites
from Baja California, Mexico: Implications for the origin of
continental crust (Prof. Paterno Castillo)
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Assessing
genetic connectivity of marine invertebrates between South America and
Antarctica. (Prof. Greg Rouse)
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Marine Natural Products: Drug Discovery from Cyanobacteria (Prof. William Gerwick)
- California
Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigation (CalCOFI): Characterization of the
abundance and distribution of micronekton assemblages in the California
Current (Dr. Tony Koslow) Project Description: Kostlow's Lab uses acoustic and pelagic trawl sampling on the quarterly CalCOFI cruises to study the micronektom (krill and small midwater fishes, squid and crustaceans) of the California Current: their abundance, distribution, seasonality, feeding, productivity, vertical migrations and other behavior, their place in regional food webs, influence on predators and prey, and the impacts of climate variability and climate change. The SURF project will potentially involve going to sea to sample the micronekton, working up the samples in the lab and analyses of data related to one of more areas of micronekton ecology.
- Marine Microbiology, microbial diversity, drug discovery (Dr. Paul Jensen)
- Climate change impacts on the California Current Ecosystem, especially marine
zooplankton (Prof. Mark Ohman)
- Geochemical analysis of marine sediment cores related to climate change and productivity (Prof. Richard Norris)
- Physical Oceanography/Air-Sea Interactions (Prof. Ken Melville)
- Characteristics of reef growth, coral settlement and community composition (Prof. Jennifer Smith) Project Descriptions: Assist with ongoing assessments of coral reef community structure and
health from across the central Pacific. Projects will involve learning common
species of benthic reef organisms and analyzing photographic data taken across
islands in Hawaii, the Marianas, Samoa and the Line and Phoenix Islands. Examine differences in reef growth, coral settlement and community
composition across the islands of the central Pacific. Assist with and participate in experiments in California to examine the
responses of marine organisms to ocean acidification. Catalog the seaweeds of California and assess the current distribution and
ecology of invasive seaweeds along the CA coast
- Molecular-level
examination of the interactions between cyanobacteria and some
protozoan predators; investigations of swimming motility in marine
cyanobacteria (Dr. Bianca Brahamsha) Project Descriptions: Examination of the interactions between
cyanobacteria and some of their protozoan predators at the molecular level.
Investigation of swimming motility in marine cyanobacteria.
- Aquatic Ecosystem Ecology (Prof. Jon Shurin) Project Descriptions: Investigate the effect of temperature and temperature
variability on freshwater aquatic taxa. The student would have the opportunity
to help sample freshwater lakes along an elevation gradient in Yosemite
National Park for zooplankton, phytoplankton, bacteria and viruses. The REU
project would be to explore the intra-specific variation in thermal tolerance
of zooplankton collected from the Yosemite lakes. The student would gain lab
experience maintaining zooplankton cultures and conducting a controlled
life-history experiment. Investigating the effect of sea-level rise on salt
marsh communities. The student will work in the lab and in several southern
California marshes, surveying plants and collecting and identifying
invertebrates with a graduate student. There may also be an opportunity to
conduct greenhouse experiments with salt marsh plants.
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Climate Studies:
Using observation and numerical model results to analyze the variability of
air-sea exchanges of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the California Current
Ecosystem. (Dr. Ariane Verdy) Project Description: Analyze the
variability of air-sea exchanges of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the California
Current Ecosystem, using both observations and numerical model results. The
goal of this research is to determine the impact of various physical and
biological processes on the ocean carbon cycle.
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