Research Projects

Determine the effects of dietary HUFA supplement on production and performance of hybrid striped bass. Determine the function of 20:5 (n-3) and 22:6 (n-3) in the diets of hybrid striped bass with respect to growth. Determine the requirements (by weight) of (n-3) fatty acids for hybrid striped bass.

The general objective of the proposed research is to apply economic analysis to the problem of changing people's behavior concerning the* disposal of marine debris. There are three specific objectives: 1)to prepare a comprehensive state~nt of the economic dimensions of the marine debris policy problem; 2)to review and evaluate the available theory and evidence on the effectiveness of policies used in other related pollution contml programs; and 3)to conduct an empirical study of the marine debris problem in the commercial fishing and recreational boating sectors.-

The objective of this study is to deploy NASA's Ocean Data Acquisition System (ODAS) in the Chesapeake Bay during successive winter-spring transitions in 1990 and 1991 to produce fine-scale maps of phytoplankton biomass. ODAS is an aircraft borne ocean color instrument that is used to detect chlorophyll concentrations. We propose to track event-scale changes in phytoplankton distributions during the diatom blooms that develop annually in the mesohaline to polyhaline part of the Bay.

To study the sequential pathological and microbiological changes occurring in striped bass experimentally infected with selected microbial pathogens, to study virulence mechanisms of those pathogens, and to develop rapid and sensitive methods for their detection.

We propose to determine if the control of copepod populations in the spring and fall are due to predation by gelatinous zooplankton (top-down control), or due to food limitations (bottom-up control). We will measure predation rates on copepods and ctenophores by gelatinous species, biomass of gelatinous and crustacean zooplankton, copepod grazing rates on phytoplankton, protozoa and detritus, and copepod reproduction.

Assess genetic variation in adult blue crabs from Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as well as Delaware Bay and Pamlico Sound. Examine genetic variation in recently metamorphosed individuals.

To determine the relative importance of N and Si in limiting the magnitude of the spring diatom bloom and in precipitating its collapse in Chesapeake Bay; specifically, to test the hypothesis that the collapse of the spring bloom occurs as a consequence of Si deficiency and associated increases in sedimentation rate.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide input and evaluation to the Environmental Protection Agency's effort to derive national dissolved oxygen criteria salt water. An examination of current and proposed research approaches supported by EPA, NOAA and others, data synthesis and interpretation, and the usability of these criteria by managers and regulators will be examined. Incorporation of workshop recommendations into ongoing research efforts is planned.

To relate the cycling of organic pollutants in Chesapeake Bay to seasonal changes in organic matter cycling and sediment transport. We will link compound-specific settling velocities, burial rates, resuspension fluxes, and benthic recycling rates to contaminant sorption and particle characteristics.

The objectives of the proposed study are: 1) To investigate the resuspension and transport of fine sediments in the northern Chesapeake Bay, characterizing temporal and spatial variability in resuspension processes 2) To investigate the influence resuspension on the time varying flux of toxics across the sediment-water interface, and to examine how resuspension affects partitioning of toxics between continuously suspended particulates, tidally resuspended particulates, bottom sediments, and dissolution; 3) To relate resuspension and transport of sediment associated toxics to more easily measureable or predictable sediment and physical forcing characteristics.

The production of cytotoxic oxygen metabolites by oyster blood cells will be quantified by state-of-the-art assays measuring biochemical events associated with hemocyte-mediated destruction of pathogens. Hemocytes from oysters exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of model pollutants will also be studied to identify immunotoxicological responses. Our data will define mechanisms of disease resistance, as well as unique biomarker assays for chemical stress.

We hypothesize that abundant pelagic fishes, principally the bay anchovy and menhaden, are the major consumers of plankton production in the Chesapeake Bay, forming a key link in the pathway from primary production to harvestable fish resources. To test this hypothesis and to compare/contrast the ecology of the two species in the Maryland portion of the Bay, we will estimate seasonal biomasses and abundances of anchovy and menhaden, and define their trophic relationships, growth statistics and production in relation to the physical structure of the environment. Schooling pelagic fishes, principally bay anchovy and menhaden, are hypothesized to be major consumers of plankton production in the Chesapeake Bay and form a key link in the pathway from primary production to harvestable fish.