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A Perfect MATCH Promising technology uses algae, sound waves to remove mercury

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U E .S . C D R E E P M A M Ohio Sea Grant College Program RT O MENT OF C TABLE OF TWINELINE OHIO SEA GRANT The Ohio State University 1314 Kinnear Rd. Columbus, OH 43212-1156 Phone: 614.292.8949 Fax: 614.292.4364 CONTENTS ohioseagrant.osu.edu 2 0 0 8 W I N T E R E D I T I O N V O L . 3 0 / N O . 1 OHIO SEA GRANT STAFF Dr. Jeffrey M. Reutter, Director [email protected]

Dr. Rosanne W. Fortner, Education Coordinator Page [email protected]

Jill Jentes Banicki, GLROC: Great Lakes Research and Outreach Consortium ...... 3 Assistant Director [email protected]

A Perfect Match ...... 4 Eugene Braig, Assistant Director [email protected]

In Their Own Words: Lake Erie Discussion Board ...... 6 Stacy Brannan, Associate Editor [email protected]

OSG Extension Promotes Shipwreck Education ...... 8 Nancy Cruickshank, Publications Manager OSU Partnership Saves Stone Lab Water Supply ...... 10 [email protected] George Oommen, System Engineer New 2008 Stone Lab Courses ...... 11 [email protected] Davin Riley, Office Associate Fall Fish-Sampling Techniques Workshop ...... 12 [email protected] John Tripp, Fiscal Manager FOSL ...... 13-15 [email protected] Student Spotlight Daniella Nordin, Intern Buckeye FOSL [email protected] David Surovec, Intern Fish Lake Erie License Plate ...... 16 [email protected]

EXTENSION AGENTS Frank R. Lichtkoppler*, Lake & Ashtabula Counties 440.350.2582 Help send a kid to Stone Lab. Buy a backpack! [email protected] Fred L. Snyder*, Ottawa County 419.635.1022 [email protected] Proceeds go directly to Stone Lab *Program Co-Coordinators student scholarships. Gary L. Comer, Jr., Ohio Clean Marinas Program 419.609.4120 [email protected]

Choose from red, royal blue, or black. John R. Hageman, Jr., Qty. 1: $5 + $2 shipping Ottawa County 614.247.6500 2-10: $5 /ea. + $5 shipping [email protected] 11 or more: Call 614.292.8949 Make checks payable to: OSU Melinda Huntley, Tourism Director 419.609.0399 Mail to: Ohio Sea Grant Publications [email protected] 1314 Kinnear Rd. Pg.Columbus, 14 OH 43212 David O. Kelch, Erie & Lorain Counties Sorry, we cannot accept credit cards. 440.326.5851 [email protected] Pg. 19 Questions? Contact Nancy Cruickshank at 614.292.8949 or [email protected] Joe Lucente, Lucas County 419.213.4254 [email protected] Twine Line (ISSN 1064-6418) is published four times a year by the Ohio Sea Grant College Program at The Ohio State University, 1314 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, OH 43212-1156. Subscrip- tion price is $10.00 per year (four issues). The opinions expressed are those of the authors only. Please contact the office to obtain permission before reprinting articles or graphics. Matt Thomas, Stone Laboratory Ohio Sea Grant is a statewide program that supports greater knowledge and stewardship of Lake Erie and the Great Lakes. It is part of the NOAA Sea Grant College Program (NOAA grant NA16RG2252, project M/P-2), which includes 32 state programs. Support of Ohio Sea Grant is provided by National Sea Grant, the State of Ohio, The Ohio State University, Ohio 419.285.1846 State University Extension, and participating universities, agencies, and businesses. [email protected] Walter D. Williams, Cuyahoga County 216.621.3300 [email protected] 2 TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION New Sea Grant Consortium to Coordinate Regional Research and Outreach

rom Lake Superior in the west to propose and develop projects for carried out simultaneously. Our new to Lake Ontario in the east, the entire region as well as accept consortium is specifically designed to Fthere are five Great Lakes. But and distribute funds to the other six foster that kind of relevant program.” there are seven Sea Grant Programs programs. The seven Sea Grant Programs that serve the Great Lakes region, “The Great Lakes Sea Grant in the Great Lakes region are: and this past June, the programs Programs have a great history of Illinois/Indiana Sea Grant College announced the formation of the collaborating. GLROC will make Program, Michigan Sea Grant Great Lakes Research and Outreach it easier for us to collaborate, share College Program, Minnesota Sea Consortium (GLROC). Three years and easily transfer leadership among Grant College Program, New York in the making, GLROC is designed to the seven programs, and make it Sea Grant College Program, Ohio Sea foster communication, cooperation, easier for sponsors to support all Grant College Program, Pennsylvania coordination, and collaboration on seven programs with a single award,” Sea Grant Program, and Wisconsin research, education, and outreach stated Dr. Jeff Reutter, Director, Sea Grant Institute. projects that address regional Ohio Sea Grant. Sea Grant is the primary university- problems and opportunities. “Each of the lakes is bordered by based program of the Department of Issues such as water quality, invasive several states and/or a Canadian Commerce’s National Oceanographic species, and fisheries often cross province,” said Dr. Jack Mattice, and Atmospheric Administration state boundaries. The formation of Director of New York Sea Grant. “The (NOAA), located in each coastal state, a consortium to connect the seven issues that affect each lake often affect to promote better understanding, Sea Grant programs will provide the the region as a whole and can best be conservation and use of America’s means for any one of the programs addressed by coordinated programs coastal resources. TL

TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION 3 A Perfect MATCH Promising technology uses algae, sound waves to remove mercury by Daniella Nordin, Ohio Sea Grant Communications

reat Lakes can mean great decrease the likelihood that mercury will waves moving through water to create millions challenges. For more than 30 years, end up in your fish dinner. Ohio Sea Grant of tiny cavitation bubbles. The tiny bubbles G one of the greatest for those lakes researchers Drs. Linda Weavers and Richard expand, contract, and then violently collapse has been mercury pollution. Mercury, a Sayre of Ohio State University have found in a few microseconds to generate pressures highly toxic heavy metal found mostly as a a way to efficiently extract mercury from up to several thousand pounds per square inch by-product from coal-burning electric power lake sediment before it even gets a chance to and temperatures as hot as the surface of the plants, typically migrates from industrial trek up the Great Lakes food web. And the sun (up to 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit). “As the smokestacks and eventually settles into process makes use of a very unlikely pair; bubbles implode, they form tiny water jets that the Great Lake sediments. The problem is sound waves and engineered algae. smash into sediment particles at 100 to 1,000 mercury doesn’t normally stay put, traveling meters per second and remove contaminants,” up the food web by way of hungry plankton One Sea Grant Project Weavers states. and insect larvae that nibble on that lake Sparks Another Weavers’ sound waves worked so well, in sediment, which in turn accumulates in the Four years ago, Dr. Linda Weavers, fact, that within two minutes, 33 percent of fish we consume. Associate Professor in Ohio State’s College of the mercury was extracted from the model But a new research process developed Engineering, discovered that ultrasound or sediment. by two Ohio Sea Grant scientists could sonication could be used to very successfully A problem, however, occurred at the break loose contaminants such 60-minute mark of the process, when the as PCBs and heavy metals majority of the mercury was pulled from like mercury bound to Lake the sediment. “We discovered that mercury Erie sediments. “Sonication started reattaching itself back onto the uses sound waves to trigger sediment at that point,” says Weavers. “We intense chemical, physical, and needed to find something that could pull thermal reactions,” Weavers that mercury out of the water before it explains. “We realized we started reattaching itself.” could harness the power these reactions create to loosen up Combining Efforts: Sound contaminants once locked in Waves Unite with Algae sediments.” Meet Dr. Richard Sayre, Professor of The technology uses Plant, Cellular, and Molecular Biology at alternating compression and Ohio State. For nearly 15 years, Sayre, has Mercury travels up the food web, collecting in the fish that are caught in Lake Erie. expansion cycles of ultrasound been using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii—a

4 TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION These scanning electron microscope images show particles of Lake Erie sediment before sonication (left) and after (right). Ohio Sea Grant scientists Weavers and Sayre developed a new technology to extract mercury locked in Lake Erie sediment. With a combined system of sound waves and algae, more than 30% of mercury was extracted from Lake Erie sediment within 30 minutes. unicellular alga found all over the world—to extract 30 percent do many unlikely things for Sea Grant, of the mercury in including separate heavy metals from Lake 30 minutes with Erie sediment, vaccinate Lake Erie fish, and the combination of mass produce a bioterrorism antidote. sonication and algae. “Dr. Sayre likes to say that there isn’t At the 30-minute anything his alga can’t do,” says Weavers. mark, the algal cells He might be right. When he first started became too saturated his Sea Grant research on engineered algae, and their ability to Sayre focused on bioremediation efforts. He pick up the mercury discovered that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii began decreasing. could be genetically altered to recover They plan to run harmful heavy metals locked in sediments. further experiments It was the alga’s ability to detect and bind to increase that Pollution from smoke stacks is the cause of most mercury found in the to these metals that gave Weavers the idea removal rate. “We’re water supply. to use it as the means to extract the mercury hoping that either from the Lake Erie water. adding more alga or limiting the amount of “It may be feasible to efficiently clean “Algae are ideal for sequestering heavy sediment to the system could result increase heavy-metal-contaminated sediments metals because they have large surface the removal rate of mercury,” says He. without extensive dredging and bringing areas, and they have an intrinsic high metal As for the future of this technology, sediments to the surface for transport, binding capacity,” explains Sayre. “We were Weavers and Sayre picture a specialized treatment and/or burial at landfill sites,” adds able to increase that capacity by genetically system that could be attached onboard Sayre. “It’s not only cheaper; it’s quicker than modifying the algae.” Sayre modified the a Lake Erie ship for on-site treatment any current remediation options.” alga so it would only focus its attention on without harming wildlife. Boats could Weavers plans to later expand the research absorbing mercury. dredge sediment from contaminated to investigate other biological elements, like The end result? Combining algae and waterways and clean it onboard using the algae, as a means to extract contaminants ultrasound (and several Sea Grant research ultrasonic equipment and algae-based from sediments.” TL efforts) turned out to be a perfect match. filters. Afterward, the clean sediment could For more information on this Ohio Sea Grant Using Lake Erie sediment, algae, and be returned to its original location. Another funded research, contact Dr. Linda Weavers at [email protected], Dr. Richard Sayre at water in lab experiments, Weavers and option would be to place the equipment [email protected], or Ziqi He at [email protected]. graduate student Ziqi He were able to directly on the sediment to treat it in place.

TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION 5 InOhio Sea Grant Their Extension Broadens Outreach Ownvia Online Discussion BoardWords by Daniella Nordin, Ohio Sea Grant Communications

oday there are 1.24 billion Internet Snyder was surprised users, more than 80 million web at the number of T sites, and more than 70 percent people inquiring of Americans with computers in their about Lake Erie on homes. Whether you’re checking sports the web. “People statistics, sending e-mail, or chatting would pop up online, the Internet is the single largest everywhere asking source of information literally available questions,” he recalls. at your fingertips. With more and more “And the answers people turning to the Internet for news they were getting and information, Ohio Sea Grant saw an weren’t always the opportunity to not only join the age of right ones. When I technology but to use that technology to would see incorrect reach more people. information, I would Ohio Sea Grant Extension Tourism Program Director Melinda Huntley Five years ago, Ohio Sea Grant Extension log on and post the fields questions about cultural sites to visit near the lake, including the Specialist and Program Co-Leader Fred correct information, Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum. always with my name and Sea Grant directly from credible, unbiased program affiliation.” staff members. As Sea Grant Extension specialists became “The Discussion Board differs from e-mail more and more involved with existing sites, in that instead of responding to one person, it wasn’t long before questions were directed it shares an answer with everyone,” Snyder specifically toward Snyder and his colleagues. explains. “It becomes a valuable teaching Before he knew it, requests increased for tool. One person asks the question, but him and other Sea Grant specialists to host hundreds might learn from it.” real-time question-and-answer sessions Five Sea Grant staff members take turns on established sites, allowing Lake Erie answering Discussion Board questions each enthusiasts to participate in live chat settings. week, providing information on fisheries, The growing demand for Sea Grant water quality, lake levels, regulations, and information online gave Snyder the idea policies. Questions are usually answered to launch his own Lake Erie informational within a day or two. Also available on the site. He posted a question on a popular board is a Lake Erie Travel Information discussion board asking Lake Erie supporters forum, created by Ohio Sea Grant Extension if they would use a Sea Grant information Tourism Program Director Melinda Huntley. board. She answers questions for visitors interested “Within a two-week period, we had in the natural, cultural, and historical sites over 200 replies, all saying ‘yes, yes, yes,’” along the lake. Snyder says. Before long, the Ohio Sea “There are a lot of misconceptions out Grant communications staff had developed there about the lake,” states Snyder. “We’re an easy-to-use web site. The Lake Erie not trying to provide fishing tips or evaluate Discussion Board provides an online venue Fishermen, boaters, and other Lake Erie gear. We’re giving technical, scientific supporters can use the Discussion Board to for fishermen, boaters, and other Lake Erie information about how the lake and the get reliable information from Ohio Sea Grant supporters to ask technical questions about Extension staff members. ecosystem work.” the lake and its resources and get answers

6 TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION Public acceptance and usage of the Lake Erie Discussion Board has increased sharply From the Discussion Board over the last five years. The first few months averaged around 3,000 hits. Now, as Ohio Sea Grant’s top viewed web page behind the Last big snow entry-level home page, the discussion board averages anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 on: 03/17/08, 11:12 by jshbuckeye hits per month, and is linked to many other The last big snowfall I think it was on March 7th that brought popular fishing sites. a lot of moisture from the south up to us. Can one storm like It’s not only the public noticing the importance of the discussion board. The that help with the water levels in Lake Erie? I noticed it made a Lake Erie Discussion Board was the 2007 difference in a few of our resevoirs. Thanks. Jeff winner of the Epsilon Sigma Phi Tools for Teaching award, an award that acknowledges development in high-quality teaching materials for extension educators. “What we’re essentially doing is bringing Re: Last big snow personalized Sea Grant information to the Reply #1 on: 03/17/08, 13:07 by GHoroky people,” explains Snyder. “We have users I have heard that there is a prediction of a 6”-12” rise in Lake in Wisconsin, California, and Canada who wouldn’t be able to get these answers if it Erie this spring. Is this wishful thinking or a possibility? wasn’t for the board. It allows us to create a Thank You personal dialogue with them.” Greg It’s also not just the personal touch that Sea Grant brings to the people; the Discussion Board keeps Sea Grant in touch as well. Because the Discussion Board serves Re: Last big snow as a historical record of the most pertinent Reply #2 on: 03/17/08, 15:49 by John Hageman, issues affecting the Lake Erie region, Sea Ohio Sea Grant Extension Grant agents are able to identify program needs and priorities for education and Typically, any direct precipitation that falls onto the Lake’s research based on what they see on the surface contributes very little to the Lake’s volume. What is Board. “The Discussion Board allows us to more encouraging is Lake Superior’s higher levels, as most of keep our finger on the pulse of the people,” Lake Erie’s water comes from the Upper Great Lakes. states Dr. Jeff Reutter, Director of Ohio Sea Grant. “It’s a way for us to monitor the issues the public feels are most important in order A slight increase in water levels are seen when we have an for the program to shape priorities to best exceptionally wet spring/summer throughout the watershed. serve those needs.” That can mitigate the normal seasonal drop in the Lake level As the importance of the Internet grows that would occur during the summer/fall. rapidly in all facets of human life, including research and education, it becomes more and more important to utilize this new tool. “Media like this will be used a lot in the Re: Last big snow future,” adds Snyder. “Besides, what other Reply #3 on: 03/17/08, 16:06 by Fred Snyder, way can you reach thousands of people with just one answer?” TL Ohio Sea Grant Extension Also, for the first winter in several years, the upper Great Lakes To try the Lake Erie Discussion Board for yourself, go Basin has a very deep buildup of snow — some areas with over to ohioseagrant.osu.edu/discuss. Contact Fred Snyder, at 419.635.1022 or [email protected]. ten feet. As all this trapped water gradually melts this spring, Lake Erie’s summer level is expected to substantially higher than was predicted this winter — yes, perhaps over six inches higher.

TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITIONEDITION 7 Jack Papes

Marks the Spot Ohio Sea Grant Extension Creates New Ways to Promote Lake Erie Shipwreck Education and Conservation

by Jill Jentes Banicki, Ohio Sea Grant Communications

ake Erie is the shallowest of the education and awareness program to promote that serve as the beginning of that structured Great Lakes, averaging depths of its shipwrecks. “Ohio is the only Great Lakes program, identifying important sunken ships just 62 feet compared to its 483- state not to have one,” explains Kelch. “That that the public can visit in Lake Erie. feet Lake Superior counterpart. is a concern if we want to make the public A total of 28 Lake Erie shipwrecks are So it’s no wonder that with that depth, you aware of this great Lake Erie resource and now showcased on a new brochure and a would find quite a few shipwrecks dotting its educate people to preserve it.” Lake Erie Shipwrecks & Maritime Tales

Llake floor. But would you believe 1,700? Thanks to a grant PLESRC “People are always amazed when they from Ohio Lake Erie discover that Lake Erie has the most Commission and the shipwrecks of any of the Great Lakes,” says Ohio Department of Ohio Sea Grant Extension’s Dave Kelch. “You Natural Resources’ Office hear about exploring shipwrecks off the Keys of Coastal Management, or the coast of the Carolinas, but not many Kelch, along with fellow people would guess that they can do the same Extension Educator here in Lake Erie.” Joe Lucente, began Part of the problem in the past has been researching and linking that even with that caliber of maritime shipwrecks accessible history, Ohio has never had a structured from ports along Ohio

8 TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION Russ MacNeil PLESRC

The Success is one of 28 shipwrecks now featured on a new Sea Grant Extension web site, educating the public on Lake Erie shipwreck history and conservation.

web site (www.ohioshipwrecks.org), which is being launched in the spring. The site features a map of all the Lake Erie shipwrecks, historical images of the ships, accounts of Marks the Spot the vessels’ history, underwater video clips, and descriptions of what divers can see. The brochure also includes the locations of the lake’s lighthouses, maritime museums, and museum ships that are also a part of the lake’s heritage. A few of the interesting ships people can now view include the Success, a reported prison ship from the late 1800s that is now in ten feet of water offshore of the Port Clinton PLESRC beach. TheMorning Star rumored to have $250,000 worth of gold, collided with the Cortland in 1868 and is eight miles off of Lorain. TheAnthony Wayne, one of Lake The Admiral, a tugboat Erie’s famous ghost ships, was found just this that sank near Cleveland in past year off the shores of Vermilion. 1942, is one of the wrecks “What’s great about this is people who available for exploration. are interested in maritime history or plan to visit or scuba dive in Lake Erie, now can certain they highlighted the most interesting national scenic byway, as well as scuba get on line and have access to some great and viewable ships. “We immediately turned experts from the Maritime Archaeological detailed shipwreck information,” says Kelch. to historical and maritime archaeological Survey Team and Cleveland Underwater “Even if you are not a diver, you’ll be able to experts who know the vessels’ history, as well Explorers worked with Extension to identify experience Lake Erie’s rich maritime history as reached out to the scuba community that the sunken ships. and actually view underwater images of its regularly dives them,” says Kelch. “This project reinforces that from its shipwrecks. The stories that have emerged are Representatives from the Great Lakes lighthouses dotting the shorelines to its depths fascinating.” Historical Society (Peachman Lake Erie of maritime heritage, Lake Erie is an amazing The key to the project has been successful Shipwreck Research Center) in Vermilion, place with lots to offer,” says Lucente. TL partnerships Ohio Sea Grant Extension Bowling Green State University’s Historical established early on to guarantee the right For more about this Ohio Sea Grant Extension project, Collection of the Great Lakes, Ohio Historical visit www.ohioshipwrecks.org or contact Dave Kelch shipwrecks were showcased. With hundreds Society, the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail at 440.326.5851 or Joe Lucente at 419.213.4254. of shipwrecks out there, they wanted to be

TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION 9 Ohio State University Comes to the Aid of Stone Lab by Daniella Nordin, Ohio Sea Grant Communications

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink . . . until now. Conventional wisdom would lead you to history, prohibits pollution leakage into the babies we tagged and have a better estimate of believe that an island surrounded by water and lake. According to construction manager, Mark LEWS juvenile population and their survival so close to mainland would have no problem Scott, “The only thing that degrades these rates on Gibraltar Island,” says Stanford. “The getting a supply of fresh, drinkable water. But pipes is sunlight, and since this pipe won’t see best part about it is that there was no adult for Ohio State’s Stone Lab, an efficient and sunlight because it’s underwater, it could last mortality. OSU really went above and beyond ecologically friendly way to get such water was, anywhere from 50 to 100 years without needing the call of duty to protect LEWS.” indeed, difficult. to be replaced.” The new sewage line is a drastic change from For years, Stone Lab used a reverse osmosis The directional boring technique is used the sewer sand filtering system previously used water treatment system and a well to supply when trenching or excavating isn’t practical and by Stone Lab. But Stone Lab staff is in talks its residents with water. With new water disruption to the surrounding environment to develop a unique way to turn something regulations in place for the Put-in-Bay area must be minimized. “The directional boring old into something new and useful. Plans in 2006, Stone Lab switched to a combination machine pushes a moving tip through the are underway to remove the sand from the of bottled water and Put-in-Bay water by ground, creating a new pipeline,” explains filtering system and convert the old sewage barge. “We wanted to find the best, most cost Scott. “The moving head turns two degrees system into experimental ponds and aquaria. effective alternative to supply our students and in any direction and grinds through the mud. researchers with water, so we were extremely OSU was worried about the environmental happy when Ohio State departments offered sensitivity of the site, so we worked with their guidance, expertise, and financial support the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to find a solution,” says Jeff Reutter, Director of (ODNR), the US Army Corps of Engineers, Stone Lab. and the Ohio Environmental Protection Thanks to the leadership of OSU Facilities Agency to ensure there would be minimal and Operations department, Stone Lab now damage to plants and animals and to meet has a supply of water that is not only more cost- environmental regulations.” effective but also more environmentally friendly. One animal in particular was a concern to Bo Zhang, Project Manager for Ohio State’s native islanders: the Lake Erie water snake Facilities Operations and Development, and (LEWS). LEWS are a federally threatened, his team of engineers used a directional boring state endangered species. “We were especially technique to place a 1,300-foot long, 14-inch concerned about the effects that all the “Having experimental ponds on site will allow wide, high-density polyethylene pipe 10-50 construction and digging would have on LEWS us to manipulate lab settings and experiments,” feet below the Lake floor from Gibraltar Island habitat,” clarifies Kristin Stanford, Stone Lab says Matt Thomas, Stone Lab Co-Manager, to Put-in-Bay. The polyethylene pipe, which researcher and lecturer and LEWS outreach who suggested the recycling idea. “It will add is the longest underwater sewage line in OSU coordinator for ODNR. to Stone Lab’s amenities and make us more Stanford, hired appealing to researchers and students. “ as a consultant for The final restoration and landscaping of the the construction grounds that were disturbed by construction project, captured will be completed this spring. For now, 30 adult snakes Stone Lab is celebrating the completion of a before the digging successful and historical project. “The new started. During the pipeline will allow Stone Lab to function much course of the project, more smoothly and efficiently in the future,” more than 600 states Reutter. “It certainly demonstrates OSU’s offspring were born commitment to our programs, Lake Erie, in captivity, and all and our research, education, and outreach were tagged. “Next initiatives.” year when we do our annual census, we’ll For more information about Stone Lab, go to take a look at all the stonelab.osu.edu.

10 TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION Stone Lab’s New Summer 2008 Courses by Daniella Nordin, Ohio Sea Grant Communications

Stone Laboratory, Ohio State’s Island Campus on Lake Erie, offers more than 30 science courses for educators, as well as undergraduate, graduate, and high school students. New this summer are four courses that will add to the already diverse offerings available at the nation’s oldest freshwater biological field station.

EEOB 694: Bird Census Techniques ENR 567: Communicating Environmental Information Lake Erie, one of the top birding spots in North America, hosts millions of Students interested in honing their visual, written, and oral communication migratory birds each spring.n This summer, students will have the opportunity skills will have an opportunity to do so for the first time this summer at Stone to learn various census methods including point counts, line transects, spot Lab. From July 17 to August 16, Dr. Greg Hitzhusen from OSU’s School of mapping, nest searching, mist netting, and many others starting June 8. The Environment and Natural Resources will lead students as they develop a one-week course includes an all day excursion to the mainland to test census “Researcher Profile” section for the Stone Lab web site, create display panels techniques, and late night surveys on South Bass Island. “This course is unique to communicate and identify issues of importance in the Lake Erie basin, in that very few colleges and travel to research sites related to these issues. “With the tradition and or universities offer a resources of Stone Lab on hand, we’ll be able to focus on specific current course like this, yet many research topics,” states Hitzhusen. “It will provide students with a great graduate students use base for their own research and will allow them to move forward quickly into these techniques in their applied writing projects.” research,” says Dr. Andy Zuwerink, Assistant ENR 629: Ecology and Management of Wetland Birds Professor of Biology at The coastal wetlands of Lake Erie support one of the most diverse ranges of DePauw University, and waterfowl in North America. During the week of July 6, students will visit Old instructor for the course. Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, Sheldon’s Marsh Nature Preserve, and Winous Point Marsh EEOB 440: Introductory Ethology Conservancy to collect and identify plants and aquatic invertebrates, call

Beginning July 17, students will delve into the world of animal behavior for the in marsh birds with Jen Olson first time with Drs. Andy Zuwerink from DePauw University and James Marshall recorded calls, and from Denison University. During the five-week course, students will choose an experience the long- animal from the Lake Erie region to conduct an ethogram, an in-depth description standing waterfowl of the animal’s behavior, as well as several other behavioral experiments. “Stone hunting tradition of Lab is ideal for this course because we have easy access to a wide variety of the Lake Erie marshes. organisms,” explains Zuwerink. “I look forward to making this class a fun and Partial day side trips great learning experience for the students.“ to wetlands on the Bass Islands to observe wetland bird behavior

USFWS and learn the external and internal anatomies of Canada geese are also planned. “Stone Lab is a great place to immerse oneself in the lives and habitats of the world’s most interesting birds—ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, herons, egrets—you name it, we talk about it,” says Dr. Robert Gates, Associate Professor of Wildlife at OSU, and instructor for the course. For a complete course listing and dates, visit stonelab.osu.edu/courses.

TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITIONEDITION 11 Fall’s Fish Sampling Workshop Benefits Both Young Professionals and Ohio’s Agencies by Eugene Braig, Ohio Sea Grant

Fisheries biologists use some pretty Environmental Specialist with OEPA, who I got my start. Hopefully, some of the folks specialized equipment in their line of work. demonstrated boat-based electrofishing; Eric attending the workshop will decide to pursue a Unfortunately for many undergraduate Weimer, a Fisheries Biologist with the ODW’s college internship with the Ohio EPA as a result students, opportunities to gain practical Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit in Sandusky, of this experience.” experience with those tools before pursuing who instructed participants in trawling and gill During the two-day workshop, students seasonal positions in fisheries fields are netting techniques; and Eugene Braig, Assistant were able to demonstrate techniques fisheries relatively scarce. To provide this kind of Director of Stone Laboratory and organizer biologists commonly use in the field. “There valuable, professional experience, Stone for the workshop, who taught fyke netting. is no other forum that I’ve ever heard of that Laboratory, in collaboration with the Ohio The safe deployment of all techniques was a gets the students’ hands on so many different Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) common theme. kinds of sampling gear in such a short period and Ohio Department of Natural Resources- “This workshop is a great opportunity to of time,” Weimer emphasized. “This exposure Division of Wildlife (ODW), offered a first-ever foster the development of future professionals,” provides a clear advantage when interviewing workshop on the Fish Sampling Techniques of said Rich. for entry-level positions and really makes a Ohio’s State Agencies at Stone Lab October 6-7, Recalling his years as an aquatic biologist, difference for some students when it comes 2007. Participants included students from Kent Smith noted the importance of gaining time to find employment. We were also able State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State University. knowledge and experience in the field. “Some to provide some insight and experience to a The workshop was co-taught by four of my earliest experiences with aquatic graduate student looking to design a sampling professional biologists: Ben Rich, an fieldwork occurred during the time I spent program for his research, which may result in Environmental Specialist with the Ohio at Stone Lab. It was rewarding being able important advances in fisheries science.” EPA, who taught wading techniques for to provide a brief exposure to fish sampling After a successful pilot, the workshop will be electrofishing; Marc Smith, a supervisor and techniques to folks just starting out here, where offered again in Autumn 2008. See you there! TL

12 TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION Student Spotlight There’s No Place like Stone by Daniella Nordin, Ohio Sea Grant Communications

rom the Eiffel Tower in France to the Parthenon in Greece to Gibraltar FIsland in Lake Erie, John Foltz is no stranger to exotic places. But the Washington State University graduate student says there’s no place in the world quite like Stone Lab.

“I spent a total of 10 weeks on Gibraltar Island Foltz’s time at Stone Lab not only helped him realize in the summer of 2004 as an OSU undergrad,” he what he could accomplish under time constraints, but it recalls. “I participated in the Research Experience for also gave him confidence in his field of study. Working Undergraduates (REU) program, researching the effects closely with Chris Winslow, his Stone Lab REU advisor, of the round goby on young-of-year smallmouth bass, and Foltz was exposed to scientific collaboration and took Fish Ecology, Ichthyology, and Limnology.” teamwork. “The REU experience allowed John to learn Foltz, who completed 18 college credits that summer, about his strengths and interests,” says Winslow. “Perhaps says Stone Lab was just the opportunity he needed. “I more importantly, it instilled a passion for learning, changed my major late in school and needed to knock inquiry, and a deeper sense of what it takes to succeed in out some course work,” he explains. “Taking classes at a the scientific arena.” research field station seemed like a great idea, much more Describing his summer as “excellent,” Foltz would have interesting, in depth, and hands-on than in a classroom been able to attend Stone Lab without financial assistance, setting. I chose Stone Lab over another field station but accepting aid made the decision much easier for him. because of its affiliation with OSU, so there was no hassle “I know that my Stone Lab experience, which was positive with transferring credits.” in so many ways, was a direct result of financial support,” An OSU School he states. “A person who donates to the Lab may or may not of Natural Resources gain any direct benefit, but the knowledge a student gains at graduate, Foltz is Stone Lab could lead to research that may benefit society.” currently pursuing When asked if he plans to return to Stone Lab in the his Master’s degree in future, Foltz admits that Engineering Science. life after grad school His research examines is wide open. “I would environmentally love to attend Stone relevant concentrations Lab again. If I could of toxic pollutants and ever tie future research their effects on trout in with Lake Erie and, and salmon. “Stone Lab therefore, Stone Lab, I reinforced my desire to continue in a scientific research would,” he says. “Where field and to continue my education,” he says. traditional classes try When thinking about graduate school, Foltz knew his to simulate real world experience at Stone Lab would be an asset. “Expectations experience, you are a for students are high at Stone Lab. I learned how much part of the experience I could accomplish in a short time—this has certainly at Stone Lab.” TL helped me in grad school,” he explains.

TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION 13 FRIENDS OF STONE LABORATORY

Buckeye FOSL Created friends, by Aloah Pope, Buckeye FOSL President Dear Buckeye FOSL, the newly created student branch of Friends of Stone Lab (FOSL), intends to serve as a link between Stone Laboratory and the students of Ohio State Another summer of courses and research has passed University. This new FOSL student club promotes Stone Laboratory and creates a and fall workshops have ended. Twenty-five classes social networking organization for OSU students who have an interest in the lab. were offered this summer and 190 students learned Eugene Braig, Assistant Director of Stone Laboratory, is the faculty advisor. valuable information and gained an appreciation for the island we hold dear. The 2007 REU projects continued It is our mission to educate students about the opportunities available at Stone Lab, including classes, scholarships, the REU program, and employment opportunities. to impress. Projects ranged from predicting dissolved We hope to attract students of similar interests in a fun and informative way. This oxygen ratios to continued research on the Lake Erie should enable interaction of current and future students with the faculty and staff of water snake to investigating round goby nocturnal Stone Lab, as well as FOSL. activity. This year marked the beginning of a new entomology project investigating the emerald ash borer One goal of the club is to hold a on the islands. Approximately $37,000 was awarded to fund-raising activity every quarter and students this summer. donate the proceeds to the FOSL-Tu- ition Reduction Endowment Fund. FOSL’s passion for the island continues to be contagious. This particular endowment was chosen Motivated REU students from 2007 have created because it gives us the opportunity to a student organization at Ohio State dedicated to help reduce tuition costs for all Stone promoting the island and keeping alumni together. Lab students. We will also be hosting Buckeye FOSL is led by President Aloah Pope (OSU informational meetings and social Senior), Vice President Aaron Wibberley (OSU nights to attract more students to Stone Sophomore), and Treasurer Max Castorani (OSU Lab. The club meets the first Thursday senior). Buckeye FOSL plans to focus its attention on of each month. For meeting times and public awareness, encouraging a link between the lab locations, please contact Aaron Wib- and students, and facilitating alumni contact. berly at [email protected].

Our 10th Annual Winter Program/Silent Auction was Bragging Rights in February. As usual, the event was held at the Fawcett So you think you spent some time on the rock? Well we want to find out who just Center on the OSU Columbus Campus and raised might be Stone Lab’s most attentive student. Dig out those old transcripts or dust off $1,436, which will benefit Stone Lab programs and the memory banks. We want to hear from you. We are looking for students/alumni, scholarships. researchers, or faculty who might fall into any of these categories: • Who has taken the largest number of courses at Stone Lab? Mark your calendars for the next Stone Lab Open • Who has spent the most time at Stone Lab taking courses? (This may be different House, September 6th-7th. than the first category, as some classes have been 1, 2.5, or 5 weeks in duration.) • Who has spent the most time as an active researcher at Stone Lab? In closing, don’t forget to support the education and research programs of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone • Who first attended Stone Lab the longest ago as a student, researcher, or faculty member? Laboratory by donating online at ohioseagrant.osu. edu/donate. I look forward to seeing soon. • Any other category that you think merits bragging rights!

Sincerely, Please send your contributions to the Stone Lab office in Columbus or e-mail them to Mike Heniken at [email protected]. All nominations will be carefully tabu- Christopher J. Winslow [email protected] lated and the winners will be announced in a future newsletter. FOSL President

14 TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION The Friends of Stone Laboratory (FOSL) began in 1981 as a support group to “bring Stone Laboratory into the 21st century with the best possible facilities, equipment, and professors, and make this an unequaled learning experience available to all outstanding students.” Members of the Friends provide a way for former students to support the facil- ity by raising awareness and funds for scholarships, research, and equipment. FOSL BOARD OF DIRECTORS F.T. STONE LABORATORY FIELD STATION President: Chris Winslow FOSL The Ohio State University Vice President: Lisa Bircher PO Box 119, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 Past President: Doug Kane Secretary: Joan Bradley 419.285.1800, 614.247.6500, Fax 614.247.6578 Treasurer: Lydia Bailey stonelab.osu.edu Dates to Remember BOARD MEMBERS STONE LAB STAFF Stone Lab Open House & ...... 09/06/08 Deb Vallance Dr. Jeffrey M. Reutter, Director ([email protected]) Tom Thorne FOSL Annual Mtg. Eugene Braig, Assistant Director ([email protected]) Lyndsey Manzo John Hageman, Laboratory Manager ([email protected]) Buckeye Island Hop ...... 10/4-5/08 Terri Rice Harry Bircher Matt Thomas, Asst. Lab. Manager ([email protected]) Karen Blocksom Arleen Pineda, Program Coordinator ([email protected]) Kelly Dress, Office Associate ([email protected])

TWINELINE 2008 WINTER EDITION 15 Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory Non-Profit Org. TWINELINE The Ohio State University U.S. Postage 1314 Kinnear Road PAID Columbus, OH 43212-1156 Permit No. 711 Columbus, OH

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