News Release

Sea Grant News: Caulerpa, DNA water quality detectives, Kayaking in Maine

Peer-Reviewed Publication

National Sea Grant College Program

RESEARCH NEWS:
  • Sea Grant-Funded Survey Leads to Outlaw of Aquarium Plant
  • DNA Technology Identifying E. coli Sources; Notes Separate Human and Animal Sources
  • Tracking Pathogens Travel Path Another Key To Water Quality Measurements
  • Kayak Expedition Examines Gulf of Maine While Promoting Environmental Stewardship
  • Sea Grant People In The Spotlight: NOAA Cites Hawaiian, New Yorker As "Environmental Heroes"
  • Sea Grant Calendar Spot Light: The Mercury Forum: Methylmercury in the Northern Gulf Environment, May 20-21, 2002
  • Sea Grant Website Spot Light: Georgia's Amazing Coast

SEA GRANT FUNDED STUDY LEADS TO OUTLAW OF AQUARIUM PLANT IN CALIFORNIA
As a result of a California-funded Sea Grant survey, the sale import and possession of Caulerpa taxifolia and several other Caulerpa species has been banned by the State of California as of September 2001. Caulerpa taxifolia, fast-growing tropical seaweed, was discovered in a San Diego lagoon nearly two years ago. Someone dumping a home saltwater aquarium into the water likely caused the invasion.

To track the prevalence of Caulerpa in retail stores, California Sea Grant researchers Steven Murray and Susan Frisch conducted a survey of aquarium shops in Southern California. Results showed that more than half -52%- of the aquarium shops visited in Southern California sold at least one of 16 different types of Caulerpa. Murray and Frisch collected and identified Caulerpa specimens in each store and are attempting to determine which species can survive in California waters if let loose. Murray and Frisch's surveys have complemented the state's aggressive efforts to reduce the likelihood of future Caulerpa invasions.

CONTACT: Steven Murray, Sea Grant Researcher, California State University, Fullerton, (O) 714-278-7291, (F) 714-278-7095, Email: < smurray@fullerton.edu>

DNA TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFYING E. COLI SOURCES; NOTES SEPARATE HUMAN, ANIMAL SOURCES
Bacterial contamination in water is a major environmental problem that is indicated by high levels of E. coli counts. In a recent study, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant researchers Charles Tseng and W.T. Evert Ting traced the sources of fecal pollution in Lake Michigan in an effort to halt the dangers of future E. coli contamination.

Tseng and Ting based their research on the hypothesis that E. coli strains from humans are distinguishable from those of animals. By narrowing down the methods used to form DNA profiles with the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and the automated ribotyping techniques, they were able to create DNA fingerprints for human and animal sources.

They then established a computer-based E. coli DNA profile database, which allowed them to identify similarities among the host species. Using the database, a model can be formed to trace the source of E. coli. Ultimately, the new technology will be transferred to environmental agencies and organizations in order to improve water quality worldwide.

CONTACT: Charles Tseng, Professor of Biology, Purdue University, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Researcher, (O) 219-989-2403, (F) 219-989-2130, Email: tseng@calumet.purdue.edu W.T.Evert Ting, Professor of Biology, Purdue University, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Researcher, (O) 219-989-2490, (F) 219-989-2130, Email: ting@calumet.purdue.edu

TRACKING PATHOGENS TRAVEL PATH ANOTHER KEY TO WATER QUALITY MEASUREMENTS
University of Hawaii Sea Grant researcher James Cowen is developing more accurate methods to detect pathogens in the water. Cowen is most interested in where pathogens and indicator organisms reside in the watershed that brings the harmful creatures in contact with humans. The pathogens, such as fecal material and E.coli, travel in the watershed from one body of water to the next as they search for another host. Some pathogens do not survive this journey, while others thrive and infect the water.

Cowen believes that successful pathogens attach themselves to organic aggregates, which in turn carry the bacteria through the watershed to a new location. A new technique, called Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), is being used to detect this movement of pathogens and aggregates. By using this system, Cowen hopes to find a more accurate method of assessing Hawaii's water quality.

CONTACT: James Cowen, Sea Grant Researcher, Oceanographer, University of Hawaii,(O) 808-956-7124, Email: <jcowen@iniki.soest.hawaii.edu>

KAYAK EXPEDIATION EXAMINES GULF OF MAINE WHILE PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Four kayakers will soon embark on a five-month, 1,000-mile ecological and cultural exploration of the Gulf of Maine. The team, led by Maine Sea Grant Extension Agent Natalie Springuel, aims to help people understand what the Gulf of Maine is, its oceanography, its shoreline, its watersheds, its habitats, its natural history, its people and places.

Using an ultra-lightweight laptop computer supplied by Maine Sea Grant, the team will keep Gulf of Maine communities and organizations abreast of the expedition's progress. The team will also use digital and video cameras, journals, art, a field microscope, a water quality kit, a GPS unit and other equipment to capture a snapshot of the Gulf of Maine. In addition, the paddlers will make 12 stops along the way to teach communities about the Gulf of Maine and recreational safety and stewardship.

The team takes off from Provincetown, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, on May 4, 2002 and wraps up on September 28, 2002 at Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia. A map, journal entries and Gulf of Maine information will be updated from the water several times a week on the expedition website at < www.gomexpedition.org >

CONTACT: Natalie Springuel, Maine Sea Grant Coastal Community Development Extension Associate, (O) 207-288-4205, Email: springuel@acadia.net

SEA GRANT PEOPLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: NOAA ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES FOR 2002
Two citizens with strong involvement in their respective Sea Grant programs have been named as winners of NOAA's "Environmental Hero" honor. Cited are Hawaii Sea Grant Coastal Recreation and Tourism Extension Agent Christine Woolaway, and New York fisheries expert Edmund Sanders. Woolaway was selected for her outstanding efforts to save coral reefs by removing more than 64 tons of polluting marine debris from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands-critical habitat for the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the most endangered marine mammal in America today. Sanders, Chair of New York Sea Grant's Program Advisory Council, was cited for his longtime role in supporting conservation efforts by fostering trout stream and hatchery improvements as well as being a strong advocate of Great Lakes research and fisheries management issues.

SEA GRANT CALENDAR SPOTLIGHT: THE MERCURY FORUM-MAY 20-21, 2002
Sponsored by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, this is a science-based program that will serve as a forum for scientists, educators, consumer groups, environmentalists and policy makers to learn more about methylmercury in the environment, and its impact on health as it moves into and through the food chain, particularly the Northern Gulf of Mexico. For more information, visit <http://www.masgc.org/mercury/>

SEA GRANT WEBSITE SPOTLIGHT: GEORGIA'S AMAZING COAST
< http://www.marsci.uga.edu/gsg/gasamazcoast.html > Looking for great coastal educational short stories and drawings? Then visit this special website which features an illustrated series about natural and cultural life on the coast of Georgia. The site is part of a larger Georgia Sea Grant site highlighting water quality issues and includes links to a variety of sources.

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Sea Grant is a nationwide network of 30 university-based programs that works with coastal communities. Sea Grant research and outreach programs promote better understanding, conservation, and use of America's coastal resources. For more information about Sea Grant visit the Sea Grant Media Center Website at: < www.seagrantnews.org >, which includes on-line keyword searchable database of academic experts in over 30 topical areas.


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