GoMRI eNews · Sep 22, 2015 · ← All issues
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Keeping you current on emerging Gulf science and the people investigating the effects of oil spills on the environment and public health.

September 22, 2015                                                                    GoMRI eNews

Stories

Smithsonian Highlights Oil Spill Research on Jellyfish

Jellyfish push water in and out of their bells to propel themselves forward. Researchers are investigating if and how the small underwater waves and currents created by Jellyfish movements can help break up oil spilled in marine ecosystems.

Young Scientist Visualizes Risk to Whales in an Oil Spill Scenario

Fueled by a passion for science and endangered species, Alek designed and executed a research project that involved scientists from eight institutions, four-hundred drift cards, and over a year’s work. A substantial undertaking for any scientist, this is even more impressive because Alek is seven years old.

Research Board Clarifies and Updates GoMRI Data Compliance Policy

Dr. Rita Colwell, Research Board Chair of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI), released a memorandum to the GoMRI science community that provides clarification and updates to the GoMRI Data Policy.

From the Archives

Grad Student Christiansen’s Preemptive Research Enhances Galveston Bay Spill Response

Posted on September 19, 2014
David Christiansen is dedicated to investigating water movement and using those findings to improve local water systems.

Ahoy! Teachers Take to the High Seas to Learn the Science of Oil Spill Research

Posted on September 10, 2013
Middle and high school teachers in Florida put on their sea legs, boarded the R/V Weatherbird II, and conducted science that matters to their students and communities.

Deep-C Surveys the Gulf Before, During, and After Hurricane Isaac

Posted on September 26, 2012
Hurricane Isaac churned up more than just winds and waters as it crossed the Gulf of Mexico, and researchers took quick action to study its effect...

Publications
Study Characterizes Coral Health in Vicinity of Oil Spill
Coral injuries observed at mesophotic Reefs after the Deepwater Horizon oil discharge. Silva, M.; Etnoyer, P.J.; MacDonald, I.R. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 2015, doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.05.013. 
 
Study Discusses Mechanisms Behind Small Oil Drops Detaching from Larger Oil Masses
Local interfacial stability near a zero vorticity-point.Tseng, Y-H and Prosperetti, A.Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 2015, 776, pp 5-36 doi:10.1017/jfm.2015.246.

Announcements
Updates on 2016 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Science Conference
  • Abstract submission deadline is extended to Sept 24. To submit, click here. Abstracts received after this date will be considered only for poster presentations.
  • Early conference registration deadline is Nov 20.  To register, click here.
 
The next four seminars are planned between Nov 2015 to Jan 2016. Topics include spill impacts in the deep Gulf of Mexico, healthy Gulf seafood, the science and policy behind dispersants, and discussions of interest to fishermen.  Click here to receive email updates.

Project Activities
ADDOMEx Highlights High School Student
Thomas Mathwig is a senior at Ocean Lakes Mathematics and Science Academy and is helping research the light’s effects on oil weathering for his senior project. You can learn more about Thomas in this recent article and view photos of his work here on Facebook.
 
CARTHE Will Deploy SPOT Trackers for Ocean Flow Study
The cost-effective SPOT devices use satellite messaging technology to transmit information from remote locations around the globe. The consortium anticipates the devices will provide unprecedented scientific information about ocean currents that will inform future oil spill response.
 
University Features C-IMAGE Genomics Research
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christie recently featured the work of Dr. John Gold and Dr. David Portnoy researching post-Deepwater Horizon genomic changes and long-term sustainability impacts in Gulf of Mexico fish species. Check it out!
 
CONCORDE Schedules Fall Cruise Campaign
The Fall Campaign is a large-scale data collection field mission involving two separate but overlapping two-week cruises. Embarking in late October, R/V PointSur will focus on plankton populations, while R/V Pelican sets out early November to examine the nearshore environment’s physical and chemical properties.
 
Meet CWC Graduate Student Elizabeth Robinson
This entry in the consortium’s Scientist Spotlight series interviews a Ph.D. student and GoMRI Scholar working under Nancy Rabalais. Get to know Elizabeth’s background, inspirations, and research through her profile!
 
DEEPEND Explains Ocean Layers in Comic Strip
The consortium Kids Blog recently posted a comic strip featuring youth education mascot Squirt that explains how scientists break the ocean down into zones and layers and what the different sections mean.
 
ECOGIG Kicks Off Science at the Stadium
This year’s first Science at the Stadium event will take place on September 19 fromnoon – 6 pm in front of the University of Georgia Marine Sciences building. To learn more about the pre-game scientific fun, check out the Facebook event!
 
RECOVER Announces Five-Day Aquatic Animal Course
The January course will use lectures, lab exercises, and discussion to give participants an understanding of and hands-on experience with the methods and equipment used to measure aquatic animal respiration, swimming performance, or behavior. The deadline for applications is November 1.