(mpg file 1.3MB) Quicktime
video clip of Oyster Reef Restoration projectS.C. Sea Grant Consortium
Archived Research Projects
From beneficial marine microbes to massive hurricane dangers, Sea Grant's research
increases our knowledge of the natural, cultural, and social envirionments.
Follow these links to some of our major research projects.
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Coastal Ocean Processes - ARCHIVED
Ecosystem Dynamics - ARCHIVED
Coastal Natural Hazards - ARCHIVED
Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries- ARCHIVED
Emerging Technologies - ARCHIVED
Marine Education- ARCHIVED
Coastal Ocean Processes - ARCHIVED
Title: Nearshore Impacts of Offshore Dredging for Beach Nourishment
Investigator(s): Dr. Paul Work, Clemson
University; Dr. George Voulgaris, University of South Carolina
pwork@ces.clemson.edu; gvoulgaris@geol.sc.edu
Description: This study seeks to examine potential beach-nourishment “borrow” sites. The investigators will identify and characterize beach-nourishment materials in nearshore areas, which could be dredged and pumped onto beaches. Nearshore borrow areas are most favorable from an economic standpoint. The study will include an examination of the relationship between an offshore sand shoal in the Myrtle Beach area and coastal erosion dynamics. The shoal will be characterized and its potential quantified to determine if it can serve as a sustainable “borrow” site for future beach nourishment.
Title: Linkages Between Cellular Biomarker Responses and Reproductive Success in Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and Mussels (Geukensia demissa)
Investigator(s): Dr. Amy Ringwood, S.C. Department of Natural Resources
RingwoodA@xiphias.MRD.DNR.State.SC.US
Description: This project addresses the serious concerns regarding the long-term chronic effects of inputs associated with anthropogenic activities on marine ecosystems and biological resources. It focuses on studying methods of testing and validating promising cellular biomarkers. The study has the potential to yield tools that will identify individuals and populations of two common estuarine bivalve species, the oyster Crassostrea virginica and marsh mussel Geukensia demissa, which are experiencing chronic stress. Also being addressed are the reproductive and recruitment effects of pollutants.
Investigator(s): Dr. James T. Morris and Dr. Henry McKellar, University
of South Carolina; Dr. Joe Kelley, The Citadel
morris@sc.edu; hmckellar@sph.sc.edu;
KelleyJ@Citadel.edu
Description: In this ongoing study, researchers will refine a model of plant succession of tidal freshwater wetlands on the Cooper River, South Carolina. The researchers will continue examining former rice fields, which are changing rapidly due to human intervention. Information from this project will be provided to state and federal natural resource agencies as they address management of impoundments. Rates of succession change from shallow habitats dominated by submergent aquatics to intertidal systems dominated by emergent marshes have been documented. The study has also determined that emergent marshes are sinks for N and P nutrients compared with earlier successional stages. Indications are that water quality function of the fields changes greatly with succession.
Investigator(s): Dr. Joseph Staton, Dr. G.T. Chandler, Dr. J.M. Quattro
and Dr. B.C. Coull, University of South Carolina – Belle W. Baruch Institute
jstaton@sc.edu; chandler@sph.sc.edu;
quattro@mail.biol.sc.edu; bccoull@sc.edu
Description: This research team will use the copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis as an estuarine model, aiming to understand the potential risk of a new pesticide, and develop a monitoring tool for fipronil, a newly approved and highly toxic pesticide. Fipronil is being used in areas adjacent to estuarine systems in South Carolina, such as golf courses. The researchers intend to produce resistant lines of A. tenuiremis to fipronil as well, and carry out breeding experiments to test for heritability of pesticide resistance.
Investigator(s): Dr. Timothy Shaw and Dr. Thomas Chandler, University
of South Carolina
Shaw@mail.chem.sc.edu; chandler@sph.sc.edu
Description: The researchers will develop exposure-toxicity risk assessment tools based on the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the benthic foraminiferan Ammonia becarii, and toxic response of the common benthic copepod, Amphiascus tenuiremis. Ultimately, coastal managers could use information gathered during this study to better determine new approaches to toxic site cleanup.
Investigator(s): Dr. Willard Moore, University of South Carolina
moore@geol.sc.edu
Description: This study addresses the effects on coastal water quality and ecosystem health resulting from coastal land-use change. This research project, a joint effort with Georgia Sea Grant, will determine the nutrient flux of groundwater and impacts on various biological processes in tidal creek waters in the Satilla River (Ga.) system. The proposed work will provide answers to basic questions about coastal ecosystem health, and complements the Consortium’s Land Use-Coastal Ecosystem Study (LU-CES), funded by the NOAA Coastal Ocean Program.
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Loren Coen, South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources
Description: The purpose of this research is to test whether intertidal
oyster reefs play an important role in southeastern estuarine ecosystems. Their
role as nursery habitats is but one example. Results will be used in formulating
habitat management practices, as well as in developing restoration and mitigation
methodologies.
(mpg file 1.3MB) Quicktime
video clip of Oyster Reef Restoration project
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. James Morris, University of South Carolina
Description: This research focuses on the ecological values of different
successional stages of plant communities within the Cooper River's former rice
fields. Human intervention and manipulation have affected this river system
since the early 1700s when rice was cultivated by way of a dike and trunk system.
In 1985, rediversion of the river changed basin water levels and influenced
the succession of plant communities. This research addresses the following major
questions: Do wetland nutrient budgets change with successional stage? What
are the biogeochemical properties of different successional stages? What are
the habitat values for fish of different successional stages? What are the rates
and causes of succession? These questions concern landowners, conservation groups,
and sportsmen.
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Joseph Staton, University of South Carolina
Description: Researchers will identify, isolate, and characterize the
GABA receptor gene from the marine nematode Cylindrotheristus miamiensis.
Effects of pesticide exposure on the nematode's genetic composition will be
examined under laboratory conditions, as well as in field experiments (for correlation
to laboratory results). Using PCR technology, this work will complete the first
step in developing an ecologically relevant model for evaluating pesticide runoff's
effects on benthic organisms.
Title: Determination of Hurricane Wind Loads and Wind Effects
Investigator(s): Dr.
Timothy Reinhold, Clemson University
Tim.Reinhold@ces.clemson.edu
Description: This study will characterize the wind structure in hurricanes and the associated wind loading of buildings. The investigator will also evaluate performance of retrofit technologies in reducing hurricane wind damage and losses. This research could improve the ability of government and industry to establish cost-effective mitigation measures.
Title: Development of Low-Cost and Self-Help Retrofit Techniques for Reduction of Damage and Losses in Severe WindstormsPrincipal Investigator(s): Dr. Timothy Reinhold, Clemson University
Description: This project utilizes Clemson University's testing facilities
to evaluate proposed solutions for providing significant improvements in buildings'
resistance to wind loads and wind effects associated with severe windstorms,
such as hurricanes. The protection of buildings is integral to the coastal zone's
sustainable development. With research results, the investigator will create
a tool for property owners' use in assessing their property's vulnerability
to high winds.
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Peter Sparks and Dr. Timothy Reinhold,
Clemson University
Description: The researchers will employ portable towers, instrumented
with anemometers, to obtain high-resolution wind speed data in hurricanes. Collected
data will include along-wind, across-wind, and vertical velocity components
of severe winds at 5- and 10-meter heights in a variety of terrain conditions
and varied distances from the coast. The United State's vulnerability to hurricane
wind damage has been made apparent in recent years. As a step toward reducing
damage, the researchers seek to understand the wind conditions that cause the
damage. The investigators will provide wind speeds to NOAA/AOML/HRD for incorporation
in their composite wind field model and for correlation with drop sonde and
Doppler radar data.
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Title: Impacts of Stocked Red Drum on the Recreational Fishery in Murrells Inlet, SC: Phase 1 – Biological Considerations
Investigator(s): Dr. Theodore Smith and Mr. Wallace Jenkins, S.C. Department
of Natural Resources
smitht@xiphias.mrd.dnr.state.sc.us;
jenkinsw@mrd.dnr.state.sc.us
Description: Red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, is South Carolina’s most popular coastal recreational fish, but the fishery is in severe decline. The principal investigator and colleagues will attempt various culture techniques for red drum broodstock for stocking of Murrells Inlet, S.C. The researchers will track the release of nearly half a million of the sport fish each year of the study, determining the overall stocking program’s effectiveness in various juvenile habitats.
Investigator(s): Dr. Charles Weirich and Dr. Craig Browdy, S.C. Department
of Natural Resources
cweirich@hargray.com; browdycl@musc.edu
Description: The research team will examine the potential of new technologies in shrimp production systems, which could enhance future expansion and development of the U.S. commercial shrimp-farming industry. The researchers will evaluate selected biological and mechanical filtration technologies for their potential use in zero-exchange, biosecure, super-intensive shrimp production systems.
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Robert Feller, University of South Carolina
Description: Because 60% of the total costs of culturing shrimp can be feed expenses, there is a need to understand how shrimp utilize food. This research will measure the rate at which foods of differing quality (protein, energy, fiber) pass through the panaeid shrimp's digestive system. Researchers will also determine net nitrogen assimilation efficiency in the laboratory. Field experiments will focus on estimates of gut evacuation times. This study examines: white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus; brown shrimp, P. aztecus; and the Pacific white shrimp, P. vannamei.
Title: Remediation of Haloorganic Pollutants with Spartina alterniflora
Investigator(s): Dr. Laszlo Marton, Dr. J. Morris, Dr. Y. Chen, Dr.
M. Czako, University of South Carolina
marton@mail.biol.sc.edu; morris@sc.edu;
Czako-mihaly@sc.edu; chen@mail.biol.sc.edu
Description: In a continuing project, these investigators expect to pave the way for a genetically engineered Spartina alterniflora plant, which can be used to absorb pollutants in estuarine and marsh habitats. Such improved transgenic plants would be used for soil or water bioremediation in coastal sites.
Investigator(s): Dr. Joseph Quattro and Mr. K.J. Oswald, University
of South Carolina
quattro@mail.biol.sc.edu; kennethoswald@msn.com
Description: The investigators will use the inland silverside, Menidia beryllina, as an estuarine “sentinel species.” The researchers will study theoretical and empirical population genetics to determine chronic and subtle effects of pollutants on marine and estuarine resources. One product will be genetic assays to identify exposure levels of contaminants of concern in South Carolina.
Investigator(s): Dr. Paul Gross and Dr. Jonas Almeida, Medical University
of South Carolina
grossp@musc.edu; almeidaj@musc.edu
Description: This study will lay the groundwork for new methods and technologies to examine environmental stresses and disease using the Atlantic white shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, as a model organism. The researchers will also train new researchers, particularly graduate students, in the new and emerging technologies associated with “eco-genomics.”
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Richard Pollenz and Dr. Pamela Morris,
Medical University of South Carolina
Description: Little is known about cellular factors in marine species
that control gene expression and toxicity to environmental contaminants. Well-characterized
models for the analysis of pathways in fish have not progressed to the level
of those for mammals. As a strategy, the investigators are testing the hypothesis
that cell culture models can be derived from marine organisms for use in the
laboratory, and that these models can assess the presence and bioremediation
of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and PCBs in complex biological samples.
Their work will yield novel models for assessing physiologically based biomarkers
that determine environmental contamination and its remediation, and the toxic
potential on the health of mammalian, avian, and aquatic organisms.
Principal Investigator(s): Dr. Laszlo Marton, University of South Carolina
Description: Using transgenic technology, the researchers will generate
cordgrass lines with improved heavy metal "bio-pump" function. They
will engineer the plants to take up heavy metals from the soil and translocate
them into the Spartina's aerial parts, where the metal may be volatilized
or accumulated and sequestered in nontoxic protein or peptide complexes. The
researchers will study the impact of the transgenes in vitro, as well as in
greenhouse and mesocosm experiments.
No archived projects at this time.