What this cruise is all about...

"The main goal of the project is exploratory. There are indications that some dinoflagellates may not migrate up and down in the water column as traditionally expected. We are going to look for communities that remain near the bottom and use nutrients fluxing out of the seabed and lower light levels to maintain themselves. It has implications for harmful algal blooms if populations can "hang out" near the bottom and serve as starters for surface blooms." Dr. Carrie Thomas



The focus of this research is in this project summary: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0726271

What are red tides? Red tides are caused in coastal waters by the rapid growth of certain microscopic algae, in particular dinoflagellates. Some species of dinoflagellates produce toxins that pose a threat to humans, marine wildlife, and the coastal economy. The most troublesome species in the Gulf of Mexico is Karenia brevis. Like other dinoflagellates these tiny, single-celled organisms photosynthesize using chlorophyll like a plant yet are mobile having two flagella that propel it through the water column. Given the right conditions, the organism will explode in population size very rapidly. The Gulf of Mexico is an important area to study harmful blooms. Blooms will originate 10-50 miles offshore along Florida's continental shelf, in "initiation zones." The nutrient levels in the water column seem to be important in determining whether a bloom will occur or not. Once a red tide occurs offshore, it is transported to the nutrient rich shallow waters by the wind and also the currents where it will continue to multiply into harmful levels.


Since this was the first of three cruises planned, it was more relaxed. When the team goes back in October, they will do more round the clock sampling. The team consisted of:
Lead Scientist: Dr. Dan Kamykowski, http://www.meas.ncsu.edu/faculty/kamykowski/kamykowski.htm
Scientist: Dr. Carrie Thomas, http://www.meas.ncsu.edu/faculty/thomas/thomas.htm
Scientist: Dr. John Morrison, http://www.uncwil.edu/phy/fac-morrison.html
1 Post Doctoral student
4 Doctoral Students
4 Masters students
1 Teacher on board