Jenna Fairchild (UR) IMES - A Proposal to Study a Possibly Climate Change Resistant Coral Located on Florida’s Central East Coast

About Me:

Me with a nosebleed from the pressure change after diving a shipwreck

Greetings, everyone! My name is Jenna Fairchild and I am an ocean and adventure enthusiast. I am currently a non-degree seeking student taking classes to strengthen my applications to graduate schools in a marine science and management field. I have a Bachelors of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management and in my undergraduate years, I spent time in conservation marketing alongside the local Daytona Beach company, Costa Del Mar. I am a SCUBA diver, surfer, and artist inspired by the ocean and earnest to protect it. My vision for the future is ultimately to continue learning more about the ocean through surfing, diving, research, and teaching others to do the same.

My Project: 

The goal of my research is to answer the scientific question of whether or not Oculina varicosa is growing on the Ponce Inlet jetty. By doing this, I hope to contribute to the knowledge of this species of coral by locating and protecting it. Coral are a vital part of our ocean ecosystems that are teeming with life. Unfortunately, coral are under high risks due to overfishing, pollution, and climate change. It is important to understand and protect Oculina varicosa because it is known to be resistant, adaptable, and climate change resistant because it is an azooxanthellate coral. I hope to contribute to the understanding and management of this species, ultimately to protect our coral reefs. 

Respectfully, 

Jenna Fairchild

Holly Monroe (IMES): Florida is Crabby -Research Proposal

About me:

Environmental Science Lover

My name is Holly-Noel Monroe and one of my biggest loves is for trees which aided in me studying Environmental Science and Technology at Daytona State College. I have always been interested in animals and fishing leading me to completing this research proposal about the different crab species located in Florida. 

Research Proposal:

Research Proposal Poster

Crabs are an important component to the fishing industry and the environment by keeping the ocean clean. Invasive species are species that are non-native to an environment and often causing issues, whether they are economical or environmental. This is a proposal to research the different invasive crab species Florida has and the effect of salinity on their populations. Salinity was chosen upon research of the different species females releasing larva in higher salinities. This research could be used in hopes of monitoring population growths/ collapse of not only the invasive species, but also the native crab species.

Jenna Fairchild (UR) - The Most Common Type of Household Water

Hello everyone!

In order to create different trend lines on my Water Quality graph, I decided to include a very common type of water found in the household, tap water! I felt that it was important to include such a common type of water so that everyone can compare the other types of water to one we all know of use and regularly.

To remind you of the variables that will be compared to this week's sample results on a graph, I've included the test results from last week's water quality test on rain water below:

Turbidity: 0 JTU
pH: 7
Dissolved Oxygen: 2 ppm
Nitrate: 3 ppm
Phosphate: 0.5

This week, since I used water from inside, I do not have weather conditions. The test results for the tap water sample are as listed and pictured below:

Turbidity: 0 JTU
pH: 7
Dissolved Oxygen: 1 ppm
Nitrate: 4 ppm
Phosphate: 0.5

0 JTU turbidity

4 ppm Nitrate

pH of 7

Dissolved Oxygen 1 ppm

0.5 Phosphate

My Proposed Graph for Water Quality Testing

By looking at the graph, it is clear that so far the two samples chosen have similar test results, especially for both turbidity and phosphate. I am interested to add in salt water from my favorite surf spot to see how that sample relates to these two.

Respectfully, 

Jenna Fairchild 

Holly Monroe (UR)- Late Afternoon Testings

Today my second BOD test was completed and I started the third test. I also bought distilled water today to begin testing the ponds salinity levels. I preformed the next BOD and this salinity test a little late today because I was out getting a few internship hours this morning. The lawn services came today as well and had just finished mowing shortly before I began testing. I also saw some tadpoles along the side of pond.

Tadpoles 4-21-20

Time:

• Start Time: 6:10pm
• End Time: 6:30pm

Weather Conditions:

• Air temperature: 79 degrees Fahrenheit
• Cloudy- Weatherbug
• Clear skies- my point of view
• Winds: E6



Algae Growth



Algae Growth

• 
  

  

  Clear Skies 4-21-20

Results:

• BOD test from 4-17-20: 4ppm
• BOD test from today 4-21-20: Waiting on results
• Salinity: 0ppt
• 
  

  

  Start of BOD Test

  
  

  

  BOD 4ppm From 4-17-20

  
  

  

  BOD 4ppm From 4-21-20

  
  

  

  Salinity Test Preparation

  
  

  

  Salinity Results

Correlation(s)/ Difference(s):

• On 4-17-20 the results for the BOD test came back as 0ppm, but this time they came back as 4ppm.
• It had rained the day before when I was collecting samples (there was a few days where I preformed the tests inside) which would lead to the water/ stormwater runoff that I had posted about previously as well.



• "Wet retention ponds are a stormwater control structure that provides retention and treatment of contaminated stormwater runoff. By capturing and retaining stormwater runoff, wet retention ponds control stormwater quantity and quality. The ponds natural processes then work to remove pollutants. Retention ponds should be surrounded by natural vegetation to improve bank stability and improve aesthetic benefits" (Bill Leber).

Source(s):
Bill Leber. (2015). Stormwater Basins: How Detention and Retention Ponds Work. Retrieved from https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/stormwater-basins-detention-retention-ponds

Lily Lehr (UR): Plastic Tundra? New Proposal

This is my second proposal! I have edited my question, if you have any advice or question please leave them in the comment section. It would be greatly appreciated! Hope everyone is staying safe!

Holly Monroe(UR)- Ducks on Day 6

Today, 4-18-20 is the last day I have preformed my water quality tests (excluding BOD and salinity). I was also visited by more pond locals today:

3 Ducks

1 Duck 

a Duck Making a Splash

Time:

• Start Time: 1:50pm
• End Time: 2:45pm
• All tests were performed outside today.

Weather Conditions:

• Air Temperature: 74 degrees Fahrenheit 
• Water Temperature: 29 degrees Celsius
• Water Temperature 1km away: 32 degrees Celsius
• Winds: WSW10
• Cloudy
• 0% chance of rain and 60% chance of thunderstorms at 5pm

  

  Weather 4-18-20

Results:

• Turbidity: 40 JTU
• pH: Approximately 7.5 
• Nitrate: Approximately 3ppm
• Nitrate 1km away: Approximately 3ppm
• I also had an extra Nitrate test which I used 1km away where I collect the temperature.
• I assumed it would be much higher due to the algae growth, but it was the same.
• Phosphate: Approximately 0.5ppm
• Dissolved Oxygen: 4ppm
• 
  

  

  Turbidity 40 JTU

  
  

  

  Phosphate Approximately 0.5ppm 

  
  

  

  pH Approximately 7.5

  
  

  

  Nitrate Approximately 3ppm

  
  

  

  Nitrate Approximately 3ppm 1km away

  
  

  

  Dissolved Oxygen 4ppm

Correlation(s)/Difference(s):

• Turbidity has remained the same throughout the testing process.
• Fountain has also been on the entire time of testing.
• pH, Nitrate, and Phosphate has remained the same for the past 3 days.
• Dissolved Oxygen is 4ppm again like 4-16-20.

Graphs:

Nitrate, Phoshpate, and Dissolved Oxygen Graph 1

Turbidity Graph 2

pH Graph 3

Scientific Interpretations:

• Turbidity Scientific Interpretation: Turbidity remained constant throughout all of testing (40JTU, respectively).
• pH Scientific Interpretation: On 4-13-20 the pH of the water was higher than on 4-18-20 (8 and 7.5, respectively).
• Nitrate Scientific Interpretation: On 4-14-20 nitrate was significantly higher than on 4-15-20 (4ppm and 1ppm, respectively).
• Phosphate Scientific Interpretation: On 4-13-20 phosphate was higher than on 4-18-20 (2ppm and 0.5ppm, respectively).
• Dissolved Oxygen Scientific Interpretation: On 4-13-20 dissolved oxygen was significantly high than 4-16-20 (7ppm and 4ppm, respectively).

Holly Monroe(UR)- Turtles on Day 5

4-17-20 is day 5, while I was out testing I was visited by some of the pond locals. They were great company while testing the water.

Pond Locals (2 Turtles)

Time:

• Start Time: 2:05pm
• End Time: 2:45pm
• Performed outside today.

Weather Conditions:

• Air Temperature: 74 degrees Fahrenheit
• Water Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius
• Water Temperature 1km away: 27 degrees Celsius
• Winds: ESE12
• Cloudy
• 0% rain (at testing time).
• 20% rain at 4pm. 

  

  Cloudy Weather 4-17-20

Results:

• Turbidity: 40JTU
• pH: Approximately 7.5
• Nitrate: Approximately 3ppm
• Phosphate: Approximately 0.5
• Dissolved Oxygen: Approximately 6ppm
• BOD (4-13-20): 0ppm
• BOD (4-17-20): Will be ready 4-21-20 
• 
  

  

  BOD 0ppm (4-13-20)

  
  

  

  Dissolved Oxygen Approximately 6ppm

  
  

  

  Nitrate Approximately 3ppm

  
  

  

  pH Approximately 7.5

  
  

  

  Phosphate Approximately 0.5

  
  

  

  Turbidity 40JTU

Correlation(s)/ Difference(s):

• Turbidity has remained constant at 40 JTU.
• pH, Nitrate, and Phosphate are all the same as yesterday (4-16-20).
• Dissolved Oxygen appears to be higher today at 6ppm than yesterday at 4ppm.

Graphing:

I said yesterday that I would not post any graphs until I had collected all of the data, but I have decided to quickly construct a few to demonstrate the differences/ similarities between the days. On 4-13-20 I had said I would make a column graph to represent all of the data I have collected. I came into an issue when I tried to include pH and Turbidity on graph1 below, which includes; Nitrate, Phosphate, and Dissolved Oxygen. I could not include pH and Turbidity because they both measure differently.  As you can see in Graph1 the units in place is ppm, but that is not the case for turbidity (graph3), because of this I separated my graphing. 

Nitrate, Phosphate, and Dissolved Oxygen Graph1

pH Graph2

Turbidity Graph3

As of the BOD testing, I do not currently have a graph made- needs more data. However, I do have a simple chart I had begun creating. Like I Stated before I will most likely make a line graph to show a difference over the short period of time that I had been preforming those tests. I would also like to make a bar graph with this data to compare it to each individual day.

BOD Chart