Microbial Response to Environmental Change in the Southern California Coastal Ocean (Project ID=ocbgc-4)
Faculty Sponsor Adam Martiny
      Human activities in coastal regions are linked to harmful algae blooms (HABs), pathogenic bacteria, hypoxia and declining fisheries. Ocean microbial communities both control and respond to these ecosystem changes because microbes grow rapidly and dominate marine primary production, respiration and nutrient cycling. The main goal of this project is to link water quality with microbial function and community dynamics. The research includes sampling seawater several times a week from Newport Pier and analyze nutrient concentrations and microbial community composition using genetics tools (e.g. PCR). You will be working in a team with other students. Some lab experience is necessary for this project (Project Time Allocations: Computer Lab = 0%, Lab = 50%, Fieldwork = 50%)

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