| Project title: |
Plankton monitoring in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS)
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| Hypothesis or objectives: |
Plankton is the basis to Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) incredible biodiversity. The MBNMS Plankton Monitoring Network collects both phyto- and zooplankton and identifies micro-plastics at several locations on the coast and throughout the year. This program is a community based science program that engages and trains volunteers to use robust scientific methods to study plankton, micro-plastics and associated oceanographic data. All data is input into a NOAA national database which is then accessible to scientists and managers.
This project also strives to increase ocean literacy and education by conducting the data collection and doing the science in partnership with several local organizations and volunteers who in turn become aware of and informed about environmental issues such as ocean acidification, Harmful Algal Blooms (HABS) and micro-plastics which is a focus for MBNMS research.
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| Duration: |
3 - 12 months
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| Area(s) of discipline: |
Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Climate Change, Communication, Curriculum Design Or Development, Ecology, Education, Information Systems, Marine And Aquatic Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Oceanography, Physical Sciences, Science Policy/Science And Society, Social Sciences, Toxicology, Zoology
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| Internship location: |
Education Specialist/Science Liaison, CA
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| Duties and responsibilities: |
Conduct plankton studies in the field and lab.
Coordinate and train the partners in plankton scientific protocols.
Work with partners on data input and database.
Purchase equipment for plankton sites.
Test equipment and refine plankton science protocols.
Work on a research project involving micro-plastics as it relates to the sanctuary's resource protection.
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| Special skills/training required: |
Biology, chemistry, biochemistry, zoology background
Proficient at using databases and statistical analyses programs.
Experience working with the public and training staff and volunteers how to conduct science
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| Expected outcomes: |
Student can create and conduct a meaningful temporal and spatial plankton and microplastics research project that could be on-going research project after the internship. Student will learn to training the public (staff and volunteers) from other organizations about plankton and ocean acidification.
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| Point of contact (Mentor): |
Lisa Uttal
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| Organization: |
National Ocean Service (NOS)
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| Program office: |
ONMS MBNMS
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| Mailing address: |
110 Mcallister Way
Education Specialist/Science Liaison, CA 95060
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| Phone number: |
831-236-6795
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| Fax number: |
None
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| Email: |
lisa.uttal@noaa.gov
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| Co-Mentor name: |
Lisa Uttal
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| Co-Mentor email: |
lisa.uttal@noaa.gov
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| Co-Mentor gency or organization: |
NOAA
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