Pam, UR - Septic, sewage, sludge, oh my!

Seagrass has my great respect as protector and sustainer of life in the underwater world. But it's in great peril with life in a delicate balance. With this comes die-offs of huge meadows, homeless fish, and both starving predator and prey.


I'm sure you're not wandering too far from the title of this post to see where I'm going. Melbourne Beach, Fl. is a wonderful small coastal town to grow up in, as I was blessed to be a part of from the time my parents moved there 50 years ago. Our street was and still is as of this writing one of septic tanks. The newer development behind our house is hooked up to a water treatment facility/sewer system. This is not a new story. There are many, many older homes still on septic tanks.

Septic tank installation

Algae blooms, fed by an abundance of nutrients from various sources kill pretty much everything in its wake. They are believed to be directly responsible for seagrass die off. I feel very strongly and support all measures to eliminate septic tanks, which leach indirectly into our waterways.  I can only hope with fingers crossed some of the Amendment 1 money will go to remedy this problem, which is why I voted for it.

Monica Barrick (UR) My Journey to Becoming an Environmentalist

My Favorite Quote

Since the beginning, I was always fascinated by science. I took a Marine Biology course in high school which in turn made me want to become a Marine biologist. As time pasted, I was unsure of what I really wanted to do. In my first semester in the EST program I was going to transfer to go into a Marine Biologist BA at a different college. I decided not to because I became very interested in the health of our environment and the ocean. A couple semesters ago I took a class called Energy and its Effects on the Environment. This course opened my mind to a whole new world. I had no idea that energy could impact the environment so much. I decided I wanted to make a difference in the future on how we use energy. How would I make a difference? Its very simple actually (at least the thought) we need to stop using fossil fuels in order to save us and the planet. The ocean is taking on a lot of this pollution and this also inspired me to get into renewable energy.  Also, throughout my blog I would like to talk about trash pollution in our oceans and how I am personally trying to become more environmental friendly.

It's not that hard!

As I learned more deeply about renewable energy, solar was by far my favorite. 

I hope to do my independent research project on something to do with solar energy. I am not sure what to do yet but I am so excited and intrigued to learn more about solar energy. There are so many benefits to renewable energy and I aspire to get my peers interested in the future of energy. There are many environmental problems that I want to solve but I believe this will be the best path for me.

Dylan Radford, UR My path to the Oceanography Lab

Oceanography made me rethink my major!

     When I was asked what field I chose and what motivates me or inspires me about that field I was very unsure of what to answer. I have very little Environmental Science experience so I was pretty intimidated by that question. After being calmed down by Dr. Woodall I decided to reflect on what led me to this point and what has made me want to be apart of an Oceanography lab. I was a criminology major and was not liking it at all. I was looking at classes to take and saw the oceanography lecture course, so I decided to take it because I surf and have been around the ocean my whole life. I ended up really enjoying the course and was interested every day that I came to class.  This is the only experience that I have had in Environmental Science, but it was enough for me to know that this is something I think I could really make an impact in.

     After the Oceanography lecture course I was pretty lost when it came to what I should take next to find my direction in this field. My Professor told me that the best course to take when you are new to this field is the Oceanography Lab because it will help you find where your interests lie in the world of Environmental Science. Now that I'm am in the lab, I have identified a few things I might be interested in and a few things I know that I am not interested in. I am interested in the preservation and behavior of our environment. This encompasses a mixture of Natural Sciences. One thing that I am not interested in but I know I will need to improve on is graphing my data because its really confusing. I am excited that I joined the lab because I know I will find the field that suits my interests or I might find a field that is completely different from what I was originally going to choose. I am also open to my classmates providing me with information on their field and how it may be something I would be open to explore.

Steve Cofone, UR-End of a 12,000 year old ice age or severe human impact? Place your bet.....

 Hello, Steve Again,
As I have lead to in my last post, I have been involved in scouting since a very young age. This gave me an innate culture of caring for and being amazed by nature and wildlife. As well as being from Rhode Island, as we all know as the "Ocean State" These two factors have driven my life and my interests. Wildlife and nature as well as a love of the ocean and aquatics.

This has become my life's motto

Scouting was a great opportunity to lead, work as a team, develop independent skills and develop a desire to learn."Being prepared" is something I have carried into my life till this day.
Camping and survival were a large part of my scouting experiences.
One thing I always remember and I will never forget, we were taught to always leave an area we used looking better than it did when we arrived. To this day I do that whether it be in nature, in a park, camping or someones house. Its a great concept to live by.

The EST program gives me the skills and knowledge to secure a position in the environmental field. Wether it be wildlife, aquatics or somewhere in between. As my interests are as varied as my knowledge.
The motivation for me comes from the evolution of living things, it amazes me how we and many other species will and can adapt to our surroundings and overcome most any obstacle.
My motivations come from living in the country and nature as a child and young adult as I grow older to want to go back to that lifestyle, self sustainability is very attractive to me.

We need bees!!

 I care about bees, sharks, phytoplankton, our forests, our oceans, our beaches, sea turtles, raptors, gopher tortoises..... I guess my point is I care about it all and as I work with or on these subjects my passion takes over and I become deeply involved.
Having to absolutely pick one, the bees are very important to me. As a gardener and someone who grows food for sustainability, I understand and am concerned about the possibility of our bees depleting in numbers.

Surf Fishing in Flagler

As of right now I am interested in researching if micro beaded plastics and micro fibers are being found in the intestinal track and stomach contents of fish (primarily bottom feeding) in Flagler county waterways. Subject to change, but this is where I'm leaning to. Thanks again for reading this week's blog! Steve Cofone

Garth UR - I am me, So who are you?

Hello there, my name is Garth Parish. I suppose I have been around. I have lived up the east coast a bit and out west as far as Wyoming. I have driven through just about every state in the United States. I was almost a mountain guide, an artist and several other things. Haha, life is an adventure is it not ? Wyoming I know, but something about those mountains has always drawn me to them, since even before I had seen them. To me somehow the mountains were shrouded by mystery and always have been. As a boy my friends and I practically lived in the woods and in the trees. Not like most kids are today with their faces glued to a screen. 

Casie in Sinks Canyon Wyoming

I try to surround my life with good food, good beer and good friends. I have to many hobbies, play too many musical instruments and prefer to waste my time with the next greatest adventure than to waste it inside. I write, draw, love fitness and have a great passions for the wild outdoors. If it is weird, strange or interesting I would love to talk about it, whatever it may be.

This class for me really couldn't be more important. The ocean dominates this Earth, as a vast deep mirror shinning back at us. With a career which will focus on our natural world I couldn't think of a more important class to finish this degree. Our life is connected to     this vast mystery and I wish to understand it.

Hells Half Acre, Wyoming

After too many problems taking me away from my education, here I am on my final class for my associates degree. Life may get tough and get you down, but perseverance and determination go a long way in this world. Casie ( my girl friend sitting next to me in class.) and I plan on finishing our associates degrees here, saving our money and moving back out west. Idaho the land of potatoes. Probably one of the most wild and scenic corners of the U.S. We plan to attend the University of Idaho, where we will pursue our bachelors. I plan to go into go into Forestry Conservation and beyond :) I can't wait.

Kelly-Ann UR - Born Loving Science

Hello,

Buehler Space Camp at age 11

     My name is Kelly-Ann Hammerdorfer, and I am currently working on my Bachelors of Education specializing in secondary Earth/space science at Daytona State College.  I am the vice president of Daytona State's Psychology Club and was formally the science officer of the Rocketry Club until it disbanded last year.  I grew up in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and for as long as I can remember have always adored the natural sciences.  I first joined an ecology club when I was in third grade, and continued onto various science clubs as I went through public schools.  I often spent my time in the woods growing up, watching animals and collecting rocks and leaves to press.
     As I grew older, my adoration for science never dwindled.  Here at Daytona State, I have taken extra chemistry classes just for the fun of it.  I cannot wait to have my own classroom and share my passion with my future students, hopefully sparking an interest in science for some of them as well.    

Sunset from Whitehair Bridge

     Currently, I live in Deland with my boyfriend, Robert, and our two pets, Loki and Thor.  I work at the Frances P. Whitehair Bridge that runs over the St. Johns river in Crows Bluff.  The view from my office is stunning.  Watching the sun rise and set, the otters play near the bridge fenders, the ospreys teaching their young how to fish, and the manatees during their migration all while getting payed for it has been a dream.  That is why I am hoping to do my independent research project on measuring the levels of one of the many major pollutants effecting the St. Johns river.  The river is an important habitat for many organisms, including the threatened West Indian Manatee.  Many people also fish on this river, and some organizations fear that the level of toxic pollutants in the river may make some of the fish unsafe for consumption.  The river is a popular place for kayaking, canoeing, and other recreational activities.  It would be terrible to see more harm come to this river.

Amber Hanick UR- An Introduction to my Life

Paddle boarding down the Weeki Wachee River

Snorkeling down the Rainbow River

Hey! My name is Amber Hanick and this is my second semester here at Daytona State. This is already my favorite class and I know I'm not only going to have lots of fun, but also learn a crazy amount of material that I will be putting towards my degree in Marine Biology. Science is my passion and combining that with the ocean and anything to do with the Marine life on Earth and you have the key to my heart and soul. I recently moved to Daytona in July of 2016 from Crystal River the home of the manatees where I resided from the age of 8. Before moving to Crystal River I was born and grew up on St. Pete Beach. The ocean has always been a major part of my life and played a huge role in not only my childhood, but my

Yes I caught a baby alligator snapping turtle with my bare

hands for the third time haha

academic life as well. After moving to Crystal River, I attended Camp Citrus at the Marine Science Station for a week at the age of 12 where I fell more and more in love with not only the ocean, but life in the rivers, estuaries, and wetlands of Florida. This camp ultimately led me to the Academy of Environmental Science where I attended until my junior year of high school. From freshman year to junior year I attended the academy where going to school meant paddling the kayaks and trekking through the mud every other day sampling water, collecting organisms including plankton and various fish, testing water salinity levels, observing photosynthetic organisms throughout the marshes and waters surrounding the school, and educating the areas citizens about our natural springs in the area, mainly Three Sisters Springs. Since moving to Daytona I have become a cashier at Publix, a Disney annual pass holder, and I have gone on many memorable adventures. Some of my hobbies are playing softball, paddle boarding, snorkeling, visiting aquariums, going to Disney, playing video games, and traveling.
This is my last semester at Daytona State (I'm currently taking 17 credit hours) as I will be graduating in May with my A.A. degree and moving on to bigger things at the University of West Florida where I will study my Bachelor's in Marine Biology and be a member of the Daly-Engel Shark Lab tagging sharks and monitoring other tagged marine animals like stingrays. My life has been filled with so many exciting adventures and experiences and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me, especially as I enter my dream career field. I can't wait to give everything I have and bring my love for the environment into this class and make this semester my best one yet!

Chelsey UR, Just trying to make a difference for our oceans eventually

Diving at the Coral Restoration Foundation, Key Largo

Hello all my name is Chelsey Callis. I'm 21 years old and i'm in the Environmental Science program at Daytona state for now, but next January I go back to my main college in Key West, where I'm enrolled in the Marine Environmental Technology program. I went there for two semesters before I realized it's not very cheap to live in the keys so I came home to Daytona and am taking a few semesters here because it is 100% cheaper, before I return to finish my degree and graduate. Very confusing. Once I finish my degree I will go on to do an under water welding program and hopefully make a lot of money.

Just a pic I took on 9 Mile Reef in Key West

One of my babies, my pugo Frank

I've been scuba diving since I was twelve years old and the moment I put on that scuba gear I knew I wanted to be in the water for the rest of my life and do something that involves the water when I grew up . I've been diving all over the place and have probably every certification you can think of. I'm a huge supporter of restoring our reefs. Without them we just wound't survive. I've worked a lot with the coral restoration foundation in Key largo to help grow and replant coral for the reefs in the keys. I honestly hope I can say I made a difference one day in the restoration of the beautiful under sea world. I also have a huge obsession with sharks,I think they're the most amazing animals and I'm that nut job that chases after them when I see them diving. I'd love to work with them one day if I'm ever given the chance. I'm a certified Research Diver as well as a certified advanced Under Water Photographer. Diving is pretty much just my biggest passion in life, its my favorite thing to do.
I'm pretty much obsessed with my 3 dogs, a Dalmation/Pitbull, a Rat Terrier, and a Pug, them along with my boyfriend are my life. I'm a big supporter of rescuing dogs rather then buying them from puppies mills. All of my babies have come from abusive homes and it just feels good to know they are super loved and have great lives now.
I'm a full time babysitter as of right now because it pays good, I babysit my evil 3 year old niece who I love to death almost every single day, and other then that, thats about all there is to know about me.

Melody UR: Current Environmental Enthusiast, Future Environmental Scientist

Sunset chasing has become a constant in my life.

Taken from the peak of the Dunlawton Bridge on a recent Sunday bike ride.

Greetings! I'm Melody. I am a free spirited 23 year old from Daytona Beach. It has taken me a handful of years to discover my passion, but I believe I have finally found it--Mother Nature. On my days off I can usually be found kayaking a local creek or biking to our beautiful Ponce Inlet. While I would consider myself an outdoor enthusiast, I won't sugar coat things: I'm relatively lost on what I want to be when I grow up. I'm hoping to find the perfect niche for me while studying here at Daytona State College. I find myself on campus today after realizing I had been working in a position that brought me no personal fulfillment or satisfaction. I felt hopelessly trapped performing mundane tasks for a local insurance provider. I was compensated with exceptional pay and benefits but I was absolutely miserable. Every day spent in my dreary office I imagined working outdoors. I watched countless documentaries of environmental scientists performing experiments or observing the land. One in particular struck my fancy. The researchers of this documentary traveled to a foreign country where they were taking field samples in treacherous conditions during and after mudslides. By performing these studies they were able to conclude what environmental impacts were of natural origin and what were human disturbances. I thought how cool is this? I want to assist in stopping the human disturbances. I want this to be my life! After some deep consideration and quite a few sacrifices, I am now a full time student at Daytona State College working towards my AS in Environmental Science Technology. I'm thrilled to be enrolled in courses like our Oceanography lab that dive into the mysteries of the environment around us and it brings me only the purest joy to be working among peers with common goals and interests. I look forward to getting to know the class and working alongside all of you!

Monica (UR) Save Our Mother Earth

Me and Alex

Hello fellow environmentalist! My name is Monica Barrick and I am currently enrolled in OCE2013.

I am in the Environmental Science Technology A.S program. I am 21 years old and hope to make a difference in this world one day. I'm very environmental conscious and try to steer away from the norm that consumes our society. I hope to open the minds of my peers in my future post on renewable energy.

Some more personal things about me is that I love all animals. I have two chinchillas and two cats. My chinchillas are named after Pokemon (yes, i'm a nerd). My favorite place to be would be the beach. I love the ocean and every creature in it. I wanted to become environmental friendly because of the ocean. Long story short, if the ocean dies we will not longer exist. I work at a local grocery store called Love Whole Food and its one of the best jobs I've had. Not only do I work with awesome people, I learn new things daily about personal health. I recently got engaged to a wonderful man named Alex and I am very excited for our future. I hope to one day be the owner of a Tesla Model S P85D and then i'll be set.. and of course doing the environment a favor. Thanks for reading!

My babies, Squirtle and Togepi.

Alex Carter: Introduction :)

Here's when I went snorkling in Cabo

Hello all, my name is Alex Carter and I'm 26 years old.

I just moved to Florida this year and I'm loving every minute of it so far! I lived in Arizona for most my life, 15 years to be exact. Arizona is absolutely beautiful and it will always be home for me but theres one thing that it was missing.... THE OCEAN! I've always been drawn to the ocean for as long as I can remember and I knew it was time to finally live somewhere that theres plenty of it, hence why I moved to the sunshine state. Right out of high school I went to a community college in AZ and got my Associates Degrees in Liberal Arts. I took two years or so off after that to work, this is my first semester back and first semester at Daytona State! I am working full time and taking 4 classes.... wish me luck!! ha

Some things I enjoy when I'm not working, I'm a photographer, I was a big hiker/backpacker back home, I enjoy the gym, I love crafts, I love to fish, love being on boats or anywhere on the water really, off roading in my jeep, going shooting, I travel often, and I love meeting new people and trying new things!

Me at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa

Marine Biology has been something on my mind since my 7th grade trip I took to the San Juan Islands with my class. We went whale watching and explored the islands, we did labs, tasted seaweed and kelp plants I believe, we also dissected tiny squids! I enjoyed every minute of that trip and would love to find my calling somewhere in this field. I have only taken one Marine Bio course since then I look forward to what is to come from this class and semester! 

Pam, UR - From seaweed killer to seagrass lover!

Hello, I'm Pamela Cooper (Pam). After being a professional photographer for 30 years I decided to pursue my life-long interest in the aquatic environment, especially seagrass.

One of the many marine environments I grew up around was the South River, just south of Annapolis, Md.  I remember having to pull up the seaweed by hand so the boats could use the dock. Little did my 8 year old self know how important it was to the marine environment with the oxygen giving properties of aquatic plant life.

'Us kids" photo op. 

Currently I volunteer with the Conservation Field Station out of Marineland, Fl. My duties include assisting with dolphin surveys, water samples, and education outreach for 2nd and 5th grades in Flagler County.

Dolphin Survey coldest day of the year!

My current education will be completed with an A.S. in Environmental Science at the end of 2017. I can't wait, and am throughly enjoying all my classes along this interesting journey.

I look forward to posting more about my passion, seagrass, in the future.
Cheers!

Steve Cofone, UR- Boy scout to submariner to Environmentalist/ What a great life!

At 6 years old, I made the newspaper with this sunflower started in a dixie cup

 Hi-I'm Steve and I will say I am very excited to be here. As a child I always wanted to be a forest ranger, and at 52 I am pursuing that dream(or a close facsimile) with one semester left the anticipation is great.
I am from RI, have always been involved in boy scouts as a young person and went all the way through. I joined the US Navy at 19 and spent a little over 9 years as a submariner, going to sea the whole time I was in. I have been all over the world to include The north pole, the equator(swam in the ocean at 0 degrees) panama canal, and many places I still can't discuss. After the Navy my love for gardening and plants led to me becoming a Virginia Certified Horticulturist. In Florida I have managed several different companies, very large down to some small ones, to include my own for about 6 years.

My first run on a sub, leaving Holy Loch, scotland

When I decided to go to school to fulfill my dream, I signed on with Americorp, I volunteered for 1700 hours in a period of 11 months under a program called Project A.N.T., we surveyed, recorded and terminated non-native exotic species in our 174 state parks. With Americorp I was able to become certified Wildland Firefighter LV1, and became certified Prescribed burn crew. That was an exciting opportunity that I truly love. This led to a position as a park ranger at our state parks, I have served on several different state parks with very different missions.I was on a formal garden/post "new deal" park, I have been on a park where I preformed sea turtle patrol every morning,counting the eggs, moving the nest and recording the data. I am now at a historical state park and my job is more of a curator in a museum teaching guests history of Florida which is a great opportunity in its own right.

The largest prescribed burn I was on, a total of  945 acres

I have a second job at Petco, as an animal lover this is also an excellent position for me,  to share my knowledge of pet food and small animal care it is a delight.
I look forward to this class, I heard about this class my 1st semester and have been very excited to attend it since then. Which seems like 3 very long years ago.
I look forward to learning with all of you and hope you are as excited as I am.

Thanks for reading this-Steve Cofone

Casie UR, Introduction

Garth and I in New Smyrna Beach FL

Hello, my name is Casie Rowland and I am enrolled in the Oceanography Lab at Daytona State College. I have always been in love with the ocean and as a Florida native I have always found it a great vast mystery in need of exploration. I am excited about taking this course as I feel that it will not only introduce me to the wonders of sea life but it will give me my first taste of being a scientist. I also hope that in doing the Independent Research Project it will give me a leg up when applying to other universities.


I am interested in everything outdoors and becasue of this I pursued a degree in Outdoor Education and Leadership in Wyoming for several years. After a devastating knee injury I was forced to refocus and find another passion.  Now after some time and thinking  I hope to get my bachelors degree in Ecology and Conservation Biology at the University of Idaho and possibly a masters in Hydrology.  Last summer we took a cross country road trip to Idaho and fell in love with the state. Me, my boyfriend Garth Parish who is also taking this course and our pup Gomez will all be moving to Moscow Idaho after finishing this semester to attend the university. This has been a long time goal of ours and we can't wait to get out there and explore that part of the country.

Gomez

Christian Vinciquerra, UR; Introduction: Science is in my genes

Hi everyone, my name is Christian Vinciquerra, I was born and raised in Daytona Beach, FL. Growing up five minutes away from multiple water sources, it was hard to stay away. Whether it was socializing on the beach with friends or fishing in the Tomoka River with my dad, there was always some sort of bond between nature and I. Through high school I believed that becoming an architect or engineer was my passion. Winning the county fair for my house plans and designs for miscellaneous technical parts multiple times, I was truly blessed with a great talent. Summer of 2013,really opened my horizons to the science community. I was staying with my aunt and uncle for the summer in the Florida Keys. My uncle working for NOAA in Key West and my aunt working for the county as a marine biologist. Shadowing them for a whole summer snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing was what made me fall in love with the marine life. I concluded the summer deciding to change my intended major to marine science. After graduating high school, I went to Florida Gulf Coast University only attending my freshman year. I came to the decision to transfer to Daytona State College to complete my AA.
Leading into the Summer of 2016, I received my first science based job. I worked for Seacamp Association in Big Pine Key, FL as an aquatics instructor teaching sailing, windsurfing

Sailing out of Newfound Harbor

Left to Right: Nick Castillos' arm,
Dr. Jeff Carrier, Christian Vinciquerra
catching an 8 foot Bull Shark.

and assisting science classes on the local environment. During my contract there, I was on a boat basically everyday and the ocean was my backyard. I had experienced many different types of marine science and environmental studies experiments. Learning the Rules of the Road for handling boats and protecting the organisms within it to reef identification for coral and fish. The most interesting course that I assisted was the shark biology course. I assisted Dr. Jeff Carrier and Nick Castillo. Throughout the course we caught and examined mostly nurse sharks. We caught an 8 foot bull shark, blacktip, lemons, and bonnetheads. We were taught how to tag a shark and assisted Dr. Carrier with some of his research for Mote Marine Laboratories. Working here excited me for my future in the scientific community and opened up my eyes to how much I enjoy captaining a vessel. After I finish my AA at Daytona State I plan to attend a Maritime Academy to further my knowledge and experience working on a boats and ships as well as study and receive a bachelors in marine science. I am extremely excited to receive more hands on experience through Oceanography 1001 lab and conduct my first independent research project.

     Dylan Radford  Introduction

   Hello class my name is Dylan Radford. I was a duel Enrollment student in high school and this is my first year going to Daytona State full time. I enjoy coming to the classes and discussions that my professors offer rather than in high school. It has been a pretty big transition for me and at 18 years old I am finally being forced to think about what I want to do for the rest of my life. At first I was interested in criminology but quickly realized that it was not a field I could see myself in for the rest of my life. So I had to really think. I thought of the things that bring me the most joy in life. 

surfing, Ponce Inlet, Fl.

   

The things that bring true joy to my life are things like running, biking, surfing, hiking. These things all share a common atmosphere which is the outdoors. I have grown up in Daytona Beach and near the ocean all my life. I really love the environment and respect it for its beauty and danger, especially when surfing. In fact, I have learned a lot more about the environment by doing all of these outdoor activities. Now that I have pieced all of this together I've decided to change my major from criminology to environmental science because I feel like I need to see if I can make an impact on this field. I believe I can because I have so much love for the environment. 

     Now a little more about me. I love music and I have been playing guitar since I was around the age of nine. My dad is the person who got me to start playing but I quickly developed my own style of playing speed metal and modern hardcore/ punk songs. I post videos on my Instagram of new techniques or songs that I learn. Music has helped me mentally overcome huge obstacles and has given me a confidence that I can do anything as long as I give it my full attention and practice. I love to surf like I said earlier but I have been kick boxing and practicing Muay Thai for about a year and a half and it has quickly become one of my favorite sports. I have also been dating my girlfriend, Madison for 3 years. we got together during our sophomore year of high school and haven't been apart since.

Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska

Carly Magnus,UR : Introduction

Hey there!  My name is Carly, and I'm a 25 year old nerd.

Was also a Camp Counselor with these lovely people this
past summer!

I'm originally from Georgia, and about two years ago I graduated from Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts with a concentration in drawing, painting, and printmaking.  My original interest was to work in the video game industry as a concept artist, but after graduating I moved to Florida where my parents now reside.  They were right down the street from Marineland Dolphin Adventure so I applied and have now been working in Guest Services for
almost two years!  Now, along with Guest Services I volunteer with our Aquarists weekly.

In my downtime I enjoy video games of all sorts, practicing drawing, reading graphic novels, and going to movies or restaurants with friends.  I love exploring new parts of Florida and zoos or aquariums, so if you have any suggestions let me know!

I've been taking science courses to eventually work towards a Bachelor's in Marine Science, Biology, or Zoology.  I still haven't fully decided, which is a reason I'm taking a rigorous course in Oceanography, which I am super excited for!  Thank you for joining me on this adventure!

*wink* from Marineland's Kemp's Ridley Pokey

Stephanie, UR--Introduction to me...

Me at South Carolina Aquarium 

                                                                
Hello Everyone,
My name is Stephanie Guyotte and I am currently working towards my A.S. degree in Environmental Science and Technology. After my time ends at Daytona State I'm still not sure where I will be going but I am sure that I will continue my education somewhere. I have a wide interest in all Earth Sciences including the aquatic environment and all the secrets of the oceans. Growing up in New Hampshire (a state with about ten miles of coast line) I do not have too much experience in an ocean environment so I am looking forward to all the new skills I will acquire from this class. I am especially excited about the independent research project that I will be working on very soon. I think I might do something with maritime archaeology or perhaps atmosphere but my heart is not set in stone just yet. When I am not doing school related work or working at my job I enjoy going somewhere I have never been like a park or a new restaurant or reading a good book. Although something tells me that I wont be doing anything but aquatic science for the next few months. I have two dogs; Little Dog and Foxy Lady both are rescue mutts who are true members of the family. Both hate going to dog beach and swimming in the ocean but will run for the ball all day long. I                

don't really know yet if I share my dogs dread of the ocean but I think I will be finding out very soon.



Emily CUR - Blacktip Shark Tagging & Water Quality Correlation Study

Welcome!
My name is Emily Reyes, a Continuing Undergraduate Research student with Daytona State College Institute of Marine and Environmental Studies. I graduated DSC with my Associates of Science in Environmental Science Technology in May 2016 and have returned to the blog to share information about a collaborative research proposal for an exciting shark tagging and water quality correlation study I'm currently involved with. 

Introduction
Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) are a well-known coastal species of shark along the East Coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico which are named for and identified by their black-tipped dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins. Due to its low reproductive rate and high value to fishers, this species has been classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)(Citation).

Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
Source

Few studies have been done to understand this species so a team of researchers from Daytona State College, the Marine Science Center & the Marine Discovery Center propose to track two blacktip sharks, one male and one female, to determine how our local population (off the coast of Daytona Beach, Florida) responds to changes in various water quality parameters. The team will be working with OCEARCH, a non-profit organization leading the world in generating critical scientific data related to tracking (telemetry) and biological study of keystone marine species. This collaboration will allow our sharks' location to be tracked by researchers as well as the general public on OCEARCH's website, displayed as pings. A ping refers to the approximate location where a sharks' tag made successful contact with a satellite. By clicking on a ping, you can learn the date and time the ping was generated, the gender of the shark, the location and the date of the initial tagging and choose to view the shark's profile which provides information on the shark species.

Approximately 1,678 sharks pictured in this frame, taken
during belt transect.Source

What is Known
A study released in March 2016 revealed that blacktip sharks participate in what is known to be the largest aggregation of sharks in the East Coast of the United States. One belt transect conducted by the researchers of said study found shark abundance to have peaked with 12,128 individuals counted within the 75.6 km belt transect in 2011. The sharks are reported to have traveled from as far north as the waters of North Carolina in search of warmer water but there are several other factors that have not been studied that may also contribute to this migration. For example, blacktips are known to have a tolerance for low salinity environments and have entered estuaries so salinity may be as much of a contributing factor for their migration as water temperature is.

What is Not Known
Blacktip sharks are a coastal-dwelling species but have been seen several miles offshore, highly unusual behavior that may be related to changes in the marine environment. In addition to this, there may be dramatic differences in movement between male and female sharks that have been previously unobserved. By studying differences in movement between gender and relating that to various water quality parameters, we may be able to reveal a relationship between the marine environment and behavior of these sharks.

Scientific Question

Can the movement and behavior of blacktip sharks be correlated with changes in the quality of water in the local marine environment?

#OurSharks Lift Platform, created by
team researchers Josh & Dennis Munsey

Materials & Method

• Rods & Reels
• Circle Hooks
• Bonito fish, as bait
• Shark Lift 
•  2 Wildlife Computers Model 258A SPOT Tags

Model 258A SPOT Tag in Dorsal Fin
Source

1.  Two sharks will be caught via rod & reel by a team of researchers 
2.  Sharks will be placed onto submerged lift platform and raised above water level
3. An irrigation hose will be placed in the mouth of the shark to flush salt-water over its gills and a water soaked towel will be placed over the eyes to reduce stress experienced by the shark 
4. SPOT Tag will be screwed into a rigid section of the dorsal fin, the shark will be measured for length to determine maturity, identified as male or female and released 


Water Quality Monitoring  
In order to determine a correlation between shark movement and water quality, the team will be using satellite data from NOAA & NASA to obtain the Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Sea Surface Salinity & Chlorophyll Concentration data from the area where the sharks have pinged. 

• Sea Surface Temperature (SST)(degrees Celsius)

Emily UR - Conclusions

Well the time has come to use what I've learned these past two years and try to get paid for it! Graduating in a week will open so many doors through which I'll be able to work outside, doing what I love. That being said, it's time to review and conclude my semester long research regarding Nutrient Pollution in Stormwater Management Ponds (SMPs).

Stormwater Management Ponds are man-made ponds designed to prevent flooding and act as a reservoir for the rainwater as well as the surface runoff that fills them from the higher elevations surrounding. These ponds generally have a weak current, if any at all and absorb sunlight all day which allows perfect conditions for algae growth and eutrophication of the water body. Nutrients and other debris associated with surface runoff and atmospheric deposition become introduced into the pond and feed these algae. I became curious about these sources so I came up with the official scientific questions of:
1. Does the setting surrounding an SMP influence the input of nutrients by surface runoff?
&
2. Does atmospheric deposition play a role in nutrient input?

HPSMP

 So  the pond to the left, HPSMP, is the Halifax Plantation Stormwater Management Pond located in Ormond Beach.

Below, TPSMP, is the Tuscawilla Park Stormwater Management Pond located in Tuscawilla Park in Daytona Beach.

TPSMP

Difference of water quality seen at each site in HPSMP

I decided to study these two ponds because of their locations and the area surrounding them. HPSMP is surrounded by 4 houses to its North, a golf course to it's South and a small path for residents and golf carts to cross to the East. I decided to take three samples from each pond since each side is effected by different environments hoping I would find some sort of variance of nutrient concentrations at each site.
Materials I worked with include:

•  Field Journal
• 4 2-Gallon Pail w/Handle
• Hach 2100N Turbidimeter
• Hack DR/890 Colorimeter
• VWR Clinical 20 Centrifuge
• NOAA Surface Weather Maps
• 500mL Bottles for Water Samples
• AquaFluor Handheld Fluorometer
• Wide Mouth Quart-Size Mason Jars
• NOAA Hi-Def Radar App for iPhone
• Fisher Scientific MaximaDry Filter Pump

 My method used to answer my questions was rather simple; I wanted to see the difference of nutrient content before and after a storm to see how much content varied but I also wanted to see how much the rain itself contributed as well. So therefore my method was to:

1.      Three water samples from different sites in each pond were collected prior to a storm and brought to the lab to be tested for Total Inorganic Nitrogen using Method 10021 and Total Phosphates using Method 8048. Chlorophyll & Turbidity were analyzed using the AquaFluor and the Hach 2100N Turbidimeter, respectively.

 

2.      Tracking a storm using the NOAA Radar app, two buckets were placed around each pond to collect the rainwater associated with the later runoff. This water was jarred and stored in a cool, dark place for later analysis.

 
3.     Once the storm had passed, three new samples were collected from the same sites and stored in a cool, dark place for later analysis using the same methods listed earlier. 


My Results:

Measurements of Total Nitrogen

Measurements of Total Phosphates

Positive Correlation of Chlorophyll & Turbidity

 Very fun this experiment was. The storm that brought me the rainwater traveled across the Northwestern United States before it reached Florida as it is seen as the cold front (blue line with blue triangle) entering the state, proceeding on its way Southeast. I decided not to create a HYSPLIT model because it was an overcomplicated version of a regular surface radar map. Anyway, considering my results, I've determined that atmospheric deposition does play a role in nutrient input into the pond and that the setting surrounding a pond does play a role in nutrient runoff as well. Next time though, I'd like to collect a sample of surface runoff as it's entering the pond, for comparison.

Hope y'all enjoyed the ride!