MMIC (Mitigating Microcystis in the Chesapeake)
Researchers from UMCES-IMET (Place), UMD-CP (Paolisso), and CRC (Sellner) received funding from NOAA's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research to develop a mitigation technology to remove Microcystis aeruginosa, a recurring and occasionally toxic cyanobacterium, from regional tidal fresh waters. Laboratory experiments will employ cultures and field-collected blooms of the taxon and determine 1) removal efficiencies of cells and toxin with mixtures of local soils and flcculants, 2) the fate of the flocced and settled materials, and 3) impacts of that material on the benthos, fish, and SAV. Citizen willingness for general use of the technique will also be assessed. The end result will hopefully be state adoption of the technology for routine mitigation of regional M. aeruginosa blooms.
SURA: A Super-Regional Testbed to Improve Models of Environmental Processes
Through the leadership of C. Friedrichs at VIMS, CRC and other CRC member institutions (UMCES, ODU) are participating with multiple Federal partners in a $4 million grant by NOAA’s Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) program to explore methods for operationalizing models for marine forecasts along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The VIMS-led sub-project on estuarine hypoxia focuses on improved management of Chesapeake Bay resources and water quality. The results will include an improved understanding of the uncertainty inherent in model predictions and collective results of multiple model applications will provide better estimates of hydrodynamics and oxygen content (see
http://testbed.sura.org/).
Plankton Monitoring Design Workshop
In March, 2011, CRC-NCBO convened a regional workshop of non-conflicted researchers, managers, and national experts to identify management needs and decision processes that would be informed by plankton monitoring data from tidal Chesapeake Bay and tributary areas. Experts discussed all plankton components and their importance to management priorities and recommended a core plankton monitoring program that meets both WQ and fisheries management requirements, with additional plankton components ranked for future implementation as management and fiscal resources permit. Collection and analytical methods were derived from established protocols and all collections and data would be comparable with previously collected data in the earlier program. The 2011 report is at http://www.chesapeake.org/ publications.php.
Post-Irene & TS Lee Response!
Hurricane Irene's rain on MD's Eastern Shore followed by the days of rain in Tropical Storm Lee led to unexpected responses of the bay and watershed. As a result, NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office vessels and profiling staff, MD's Department of Natural Resources vessels and staff, and UMCES' remote sensing, microbial, and zooplankton researchers, NASA's optics teams, and NOAA Oxford lab's microbial and zooplankton teams conducted a series of intense post-storm samplings in the tidal bay; ODU and the Hampton Roads Sanitation District sampled the bay mouth and lower bay. State organizations and various NGOs sampled non-tidal areas as well. An early 2012 planning meeting is being set up to discuss options for compiling, interpreting, publishing, and distributing this unique information (contact P. Tango, ptango@chesapeakebay.net).
CCMP-STAC Hydrodynamic Modeling Workshop
The CCMP convened a STAC sponsored two-day workshop on June 9-10, 2011 for the purpose of comparing available hydrodynamic models, reviewing the results of a recent study comparing the ability of several models (including CH3D-ICM) to simulate hypoxia in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay, and developing suggestions for a way forward for future CBP modeling efforts.
Workshop presentations can be seen
here. A STAC workshop report is available from the STAC publications database (http://www.chesapeake.org/stac/). Recommendations from the workshop include adopting skill assessment and peer review for any future model selections for use in management.
Congratulations to Harry Wang & CIPS!
On 9/26/11, Dr. Harry Wang, VIMS Professor and lead PI for the Chesapeake Inundation and Prediction System (CIPS) project received the 2011 VA Governor's Technology Award for his recent Hurricane Irene forecast of storm inundation in the lower Chesapeake Bay. CONGRATULATIONS Harry for your innovative and timely forecasts from the continuing CIPS effort! http://www.vims.edu/newsandevents/topstories/wang_cips_covits_award.php
Mathias Award for Gene Burreson
On 10/17, Dr. Eugene Burreson recieved the prestigious Mathias Award given to regional scientists who have made significant contributions to our fundamental knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay. Gene's 33-year VIMS career is best known for his pioneering work on shellfish pathology and oyster diseases and was instrumental in the information needed for developing oyster management strategies in the tidal bay. The award and medal are in honor of Maryland Senator Charles 'Mac' Mathias, the long-standing senator who tirelessly worked to restore the Chesapeake and considered as the 'father' of the contemporary Chespeake Bay Program. CRC and MD and VA Sea Grants have made the award since 1990 and the most recent recipient was JHU's Grace Brush. CONGRATULATIONS Gene! See http://vaseagrant.vims.edu/2011/09/13/2011-mathias/.
M.S. in Environmental Sciences & Policy
The Johns Hopkins University Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy program explores natural resources management, policy making for sustainability, and scientific solutions to environmental problems. The program also teaches students to work more effectively with policymakers and scientists. Expert faculty from Johns Hopkins, the government, and industry impart in-depth knowledge of ecosystems, natural processes, policy tools, and current environmental issues. The program is ideal for students with various scientific backgrounds. Classes are offered in the evenings so students can earn their degree without interrupting careers; some courses are offered online and on Saturdays. For more information visit http://environment.jhu.edu to learn more about the program or e-mail elbert@jhu.edu.
Plankton Monitoring Update
CRC-NCBO convened a Plankton Monitoring Design Workshop in March, 2011, resulting in a series of recommendations from the management and science community participants on a future plankton monitoring program design for the tidal bay. Since 2/11, NOAA’s Oxford Lab has collected monthly mesozp and jelly samples in 14-16 stations in the Choptank, Potomac, and mainstem bay with UMCES-HPL counting and identifying taxa, through 5/12. Future sampling and identifications are in jeopardy, however, due to NOAA funding constraints from Congress. To guide future sample analyses, a statistical analysis of historical mesozp data is underway to identify station samples that need to be enumerated vs. archived for determining mean mesozp densities for each salinity zone of the bay. Results should be available in mid-summer.