A Publication by the Universities Marine Consortium LUMCONLUMCON NewsNews Winter 2005 Volume 5, Number 1 JASON Expedition Visits South Louisiana in Search of Disappearing Wetlands Program developed by Dr. Robert Ballard, discoverer of the H.M.S. Titanic, focuses its attention on educating young students about coastal landloss Ask Amy McDowell or Taylor Landry, wrapped up filming for their live broad- JASON Expeditions filmed thirty live seventh grade students from Montegut casts that brought the importance, com- interactive broadcasts January 31– Middle School, to tell you why people plexity and fragility of south Louisiana’s February 5, 2005, at LUMCON’s should learn about Louisiana’s wetlands wetlands to over 33,000 teachers and 1.7 DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie, and without pause they will flood you million students worldwide. Included LUMCON’s Field Laboratory in Port with answers. Fourchon, and the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, Barataria “They’re like disappearing,” said Preserve. Live transmissions are just McDowell. “They won’t be here for the one part of JASON’s hands-on next generation. People need to pass on standards-based science curriculum for their importance.” fourth–ninth grade teachers and stu- dents that has focused on a different “It’s a home for animals,” said Landry. scientific location each year for the past “And it’s our home too. It’s where we sixteen years. Using the latest broadcast trap, hunt and fish. In five to ten years, technology, JASON Expeditions have will the land still be here? We need a lot virtually transported students across Student Argonaut Valerie Wilson,armed with a of people to help.” sediment corer, explains to Expedition viewers the globe from the depths of the how to use the device to take a sample of the hydrothermal vents in the Guaymas Help, in the form of education, is exactly marsh soil. Host Researcher Dr. Denise Reed Basin in the Sea of Cortez (1993) to what the JASON Foundation for Edu- stands to the right. Photograph by Brenda Babin. the International Space Station orbit- cation is providing by focusing on in this viewing audience were students ing the earth at a speed of more than Louisiana’s Disappearing Wetlands for its from Montegut Middle School and 17,000 mph (2001). 2004–2005 JASON Expedition. A Houma Junior High School, who visited talented crew of local wetland scientists, LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center to The four research teams of the JASON Student and Teacher Argonauts, watch the broadcasts and venture behind Disappearing Wetlands Expedition were and production technicians recently the scenes to meet the production team. JASON continued on page 7

The research team led by Dr. Denise Reed films a live segment in the marsh behind LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center. Reed and Student Argonaut Valerie Wilson are truly submerged in their work. They have found an area in the marsh where the root system of the Spartina alterniflora marsh grass has failed to support human traffic. Photograph by Brenda Babin. Study Seeks to Identify Algae Eaters in the Barataria Basin

How much stress do plants and has the highest concentrations, Lake copepod nauplii, which are known to animals experience when environ- Cataouatche has the lowest—they all feed on algae and are common in the mental conditions around them start experience periodic algal blooms. Barataria Basin. to change? A team of scientists led by Within each of these diverse lakes, Wong Dr. Eugene Turner of the Louisiana is identifying the organisms that are “Somewhat unexpectedly, we found State University (LSU) Coastal Ecology eating algae, the different species of algae that microzooplankton are not as Institute and Dr. Nancy Rabalais of they are eating, and to what extent their significant consumers of algae in these LUMCON is attempting to answer feeding is affecting algal populations. lakes as they are in open oceans and that question. LSU and LUMCON coastal areas,” said Wong. “Many of the researchers are collaborating on the Wong first focused his attention on dominant algal species were forming Effects of Multistressors within the microzooplankton to see if they were colonies that were too large for the Barataria Basin project to examine how significant consumers of algae in the microzooplankton to ingest. In lower marsh vegetation, algal populations, lakes. Microzooplankton measure only nutrient environments, such as in the food webs and fisheries respond to 20–200 micrometers in length and open ocean, these species typically changes in salinity, nutrients, turbidity include organisms such as rotifers and don’t form colonies and microzoo- and other environmental factors within plankton are major consumers.” the Basin. They are also focusing on the socio-economic effects of these Lake Wong has since switched his focus to Lac des Pontchartrain stressors in Louisiana. LUMCON Allemands Mississippi the larger mesozooplankton (200 post-doctoral associate Dr. David River micrometers–2 centimeters) and Wong is looking at just one part of Lake Rangia clams (Rangia cuneata), this complex system by examining the Lake Cataouatche organisms that can ingest larger prey role that zooplankton (drifting, often- Salvador items. Wong chose to focus on the microscopic organisms) and benthic Rangia clam after his faunal surveys (bottom-dwelling) animals play on showed that it was the dominant Barataria controlling algal populations. Bay benthic organism in his research areas. Terrebonne Wong and his collaborators are Bay Clams feed by pumping water through conducting their studies in three This map shows Lac des Allemands, Lake their gills, efficient filters that remove interconnected lakes within the Cataouatche and in relation to both edible plankton and non-edible Barataria Basin—Lac des Allemands, nearby bodies of water. Landsat Thematic Map- material such as silt from the surround- per Satellite Image–2002: Louisiana Department Lake Cataouatche and Lake Salvador. of Environmental Quality, Baton Rouge; USGS Na- ing water. Indigestible material is While each lake differs in nutrient and tional Wetlands Research Center, Lafayette and trapped in mucous on the gills and algal concentrations—Lac des Allemands Baton Rouge. Multistressors continued on page 7

The Effects of Multistressors within the Barataria Basin is a five-year study that began in 2002 and is funded by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The project involves an examination of pre-existing long-term data, laboratory and field experiments, and observations made before and after the opening of the Davis Pond Diversion in March 2002. The diversion project is designed to improve the health of the Barataria Basin by reintroducing freshwater, sediments and nutrients from the . The Multistressor project will help to identify the effects of these changes within the system and may provide observations for restoration scientists to use in future diversion projects.

Page 2 LUMCON Offers Marine Education Classes for Summer Enrichment Don’t let those brain cells go dormant this summer! LUMCON is offering exciting classes for university students, high school students, middle school teachers and photographers of all levels. Visit the Marine Education website at www.lumcon.edu/ education for more information or contact Summer Program Coordinator Nicole Cotten ([email protected], 985-851- 2845) for information on the university courses or Marine Education Instructor Dr. Jessica Kastler ([email protected], 985- 851-2848) for information on LUMCON’s other summer offerings. Application deadline for university classes is April 1, 2005. University Classes Coastal Landscape Photography (1 credit) Invertebrates in Their Environment (3 credits) Dates: May 16–20 Dates: June 20–July 8 Prerequisites: Basic photography background; Prerequisites: Junior or senior; Introductory 35 mm camera Invertebrate Zoology, Marine Ecology Instructors: Dr. Gary LeFleur (Nicholls State or permission ofinstructor University), Mr. Dennis Sipiorski Instructors: Dr. Chris Finelli (LUMCON), (Southeastern Louisiana University) Dr. Nazan Atilla (LUMCON)

Introduction to Marine Zoology (4 credits) Marine Fish Ecology (3 credits) Dates: June 6–July 1 Dates: July 11–29 Prerequisites: Sophomore; 8 hours of biology or Prerequisites: Junior or senior; 16 hours of biology or permission of instructor permission of instructor Instructor: Dr. Lewis Deaton (University of Instructors: Dr. Ed Chesney (LUMCON), Dr. Donald Louisiana at Lafayette) Baltz (Louisiana State University)

Introduction to Marine Environmental Chemistry Marine Plankton Processes (3 credits) (3 credits) Dates: July 11–29 Dates: June 20–July 8 Prerequisites: Junior or senior; Introductory Oceano- Prerequisites: Junior or senior; 2 semesters of graphy or Marine Biology; Introductory chemistry Ecology or permission of instructor Instructor: Dr. Rodney Powell (LUMCON) Instructors: Dr. Michael Dagg (LUMCON), Dr. Hongbin Liu (LUMCON)

K–12 and Teacher Enrichment Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence Teacher/ Science Institute (3 graduate credits, LSU) Dates: June 12–17 Prerequisite: Science teacher of grades 5–9 Instructor: Dr. Jessica Kastler (LUMCON) Louisiana middle school teachers and marine scientists will spend several days immersed in field-based studies and lab work at LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center. Six sessions of online marine science coursework are required. LUMCON Estuarine Awareness and Discovery Camp (LEAD) Dates: July 31–August 6 Prerequisite: Student entering grades 9–12 Fee: $200.00 This camp is an excellent opportunity for any high school student considering a career in marine or environmental science or simply looking to understand the connections between south Louisiana wetlands and its inhabitants. Students will conduct plant and animal surveys, analyze sediment cores, perform standard water chemistry, investigate the threats of pollution and land loss and learn what steps they can take to be responsible environmental stewards.

Page 3 Tulane Graduate Student Marine Science Graduate Student Finds LUMCON the Perfect Symposium Draws Students From Match for her Research Across the South 2005 marks first year event is held at DeFelice Marine Center Seventy marine science graduate students Baustian, hopes MER and LUMCON’s from ten universities across the southern Marine Center will be permanently United States converged at LUMCON’s added to the rotation as symposium DeFelice Marine Center in Cocodrie organizer and hosting facility. January 28–30, 2005, to participate in the sixth annual Graduate Student “It was great to see all these students Symposium. Many of the students were come down to LUMCON,” said returning for their second or third time Baustian. “A lot of the students told Katie Rinker to participate in this intensive weekend me they thought the facility was fantastic Katie Rinker is fascinated with cycling, event that aims to provide graduate and they liked its location. They thought but not the two-wheeled riding on a students with a supportive environment it was great having the symposium held trail kind. Rinker is interested in the for presenting their research, sharing at a facility that’s actually in the marsh.” carbon-phosphorus-nitrogen moving information and ideas, and building through the ocean kind. Her cycling is relationships among their peers. LUMCON Interim Administrator and more complex than bicycling; let’s just Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary call it multicycling. Rinker is a master’s For Lesley Baggett, a master’s degree Program (BTNEP) Director Mr. Kerry degree candidate at Tulane University student in marine biology at Dauphin M. St. Pé was the Symposium’s keynote in the Department of Earth and Environ- Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, Alabama, speaker. He spoke on the BTNEP’s mental Sciences. She is examining the the symposium was the perfect venue efforts to strive for restoring Louisiana’s distribution of dissolved organic for her first oral presentation at a coastal ecosystem to a point where local phosphorus and nitrogen in the conference. “I came here because I communities and lifestyles are sustained. Mississippi River plume, the region wanted practice,” said Baggett. “I wanted where freshwater from the River spills to take advantage of the reason why the MER held the symposium’s award ban- into the salty Gulf of Mexico. symposium is held. It’s a great low-key, quet at the Coco Marina Restaurant friendly environment.” where students feasted on fried fish and “We’re looking to see what’s going on danced to live music by the Lost Bayou in this very dynamic plume area,” said This year was the first time the Sympo- Ramblers. Their music had the students Rinker. “There are a lot of factors that sium was held at the Marine Center and tapping their feet all the way back to affect the movement of phosphorus and the first time it was organized by the the Marine Center, where LUMCON nitrogen through this system.” Marine Environmental Researchers hopes to accommodate the students (MER) graduate student organization at for future symposia. Nutrient cycling refers to the passage of Louisiana State a nutrient through air, water, and/or University (LSU). “We truly apprec- sediment and the systems’ interfaces (air In previous years, iated the opportu- into water, water into sediment and visa the Symposium nity to contribute versa). Among other means, nutrient has been to the fulfillment cycling can occur through the food organized by of LUMCON’s chain and through binding to organic marine science marine education or inorganic substances. graduate students mission,” said St. at the University Pé. “And we are Dr. Rodney Powell, a LUMCON assis- of Southern grateful to the tant professor and Tulane University Mississippi or the graduate students, adjunct assistant professor, serves as University of Five students received awards for their oral pre- faculty advisors, Rinker’s graduate advisor. Her research is South Alabama. sentations at the Graduate Student Symposium. LUMCON staff funded though a National Aeronautics After the success From left to right are Lindsey Kramer (1st place), and to all others and Space Administration Experimen- Melissa Baustian (honorable mention), Jennifer of this year’s Spicer (honorable mention) and Ryan Eytan (2nd who contributed tal Program to Stimulate Competitive event, MER Vice place). Missing from picture is Gaurav Singhal (3rd to its resounding Research grant. President Melissa place). Photograph by Nancy Rabalais. success.” Page 4 LSU Graduate Student Dr. Nancy Rabalais is Nominated for a Second Enters the Underground Term on the Ocean Research Advisory Panel World of Ghost Shrimp

LUMCON professor Dr. Nancy was released in December 2004. The Rabalais has been invited to continue Plan recommends the expansion of her service on the Ocean Research ORAP by several members, a growth Advisory Panel (ORAP), a committee that reflects the Panel’s increasing of ocean scientists, state government advisory responsibilities. The Plan officials, ocean industry leaders, ocean designates ORAP as an advisor of the policy makers and educators that stands newly-created Interagency Committee to gain influence in the upcoming on Ocean Science and Resource years as an advisory group on national Management Integration. This ocean policy. She has served on ORAP Committee reports directly to the Julie Prerost since January 2002, when she became Cabinet-level Committee on Ocean Julie Prerost, a doctoral student in Chair of the Ocean Studies Board Policy, a newly-formed group under Louisiana State University’s (LSU’s) (OSB) and was automatically appointed the Plan that reports directly to one Department of Biological Sciences, is to ORAP as the representative from of only four Special Assistants to digging beneath the surface to uncover the the National Academies. the President. secret life of ghost shrimp. These elusive shrimp spend nearly all of their lives in Rabalais will step down as the “The creation of these committees underground burrows. Prerost is look- Academies’ representative to ORAP in and their close-ranking hierarchical ing at how their burrowing activity affects March 2005, when her three-year term structure shortens ORAP’s commu- surrounding water flow and whether as Chair of the OSB expires; however, nication line to the President,” said water exchanged between burrows carries if her nomination is confirmed by the Rabalais. “ORAP could play a chemical cues for use in ghost shrimp Secretary of the Navy in June 2005, strengthened role in conveying communication. She is also examining she will continue to serve on ORAP important oceanographic issues to other possible means of shrimp com- for another term, this time as a the White House.” munication, such as sound generation. member from an oceanographic research institute (LUMCON). ORAP is an advisory committee of Prerost is focusing on three species of the National Oceanographic Partner- ghost shrimp that occur locally but live Rabalais is enthusiastic about the ship Program (NOPP) that was in two different types of sediment— opportunity to continue serving on established by Congress in 1977. Lepidophthalmus louisianensis burrows in the Panel, especially since ORAP’s NOPP is a collaboration of fifteen a fine-grained muddy substrate, while role in advising the President may Federal agencies that promotes and Callichirus islagrande and Callichirus major strengthen under the Bush Admin- coordinates national oceanographic set up camp in a coarser-grained sandy istration’s U.S. Ocean Action Plan that research and education programs. environment. By choosing shrimp that burrow in two distinct sediment types, Prerost can observe how the water The U.S. Ocean Action Plan contains several recommendations that chemistry within burrows and the water pertain to Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico and may directly affect flow into and out of burrows differ LUMCON’s research programs. Continued development of a global between muddy and sandy substrates. environmental monitoring system, advancement of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research, conservation and restoration of coastal Dr. Chris Finelli, an assistant professor habitats, surveying and protection of deep-sea corals, and the at LUMCON and an adjunct assistant potential development of offshore aquaculture facilities are all professor in LSU’s Department of addressed under the Plan. The complete document can be viewed Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, is at www.ocean.ceq.gov. The U.S. Ocean Action Plan is the Bush Prerost’s graduate advisor. Her research Administration’s response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy’s is funded through a National Science An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century. The Commission’s final Foundation CAREER grant that was report is posted online at www.oceancommission.gov. awarded to Finelli to study ghost shrimp ecology and develop innovative marine education programs.

Page 5 Time to Update the Barataria-Terrebonne National Newsletter Database Estuary Program Update Please send any changes in mailing infor- mation to [email protected]. As always, By Leslie Robichaux Suazo, BTNEP Community Relations Coordinator we welcome your comments and and Michael Massimi, BTNEP Invasive Species Coordinator suggestions regarding LUMCON News. Three New Employees Bring Their Talent and Enthusiasm to the BTNEP Recent Publications It’s an exciting time to join the fight Some of this data may eventually be Liu, H., M. J. Dagg, C. J. Wu, and K. P. against invasive species, just ask New posted on the BTNEP’s Invasive Species Chiang. 2005. Mesozooplankton Orleans native Michael Massimi, the webpage (http://invasive.btnep.org), an consumption of microplankton in the BTNEP’s new Invasive Species Coor- ongoing project that is currently being Mississippi River plume, with special dinator. Massimi has been busy uniting reorganized and updated. The BTNEP emphasis on planktonic ciliates. Mar. forces with programs across the Gulf aims to make this site a comprehensive Ecol. Prog. Ser. 286: 133–144. South to manage current invasive species source of information on invasive species

and prevent future inva- 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 management, Thessen, A. E., Q. Dortch, M. L. Parsons 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 and W. Morrison. 2005. Effect of salinity sions. “Fighting invasive 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 including the 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123“Fighting invasive species will 4

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 species will be an ongoing 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 promotion of on pseudo-nitzschia species 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123be an ongoing battle well into 4 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 (Bacillariophyceae) growth and battle well into the foresee- 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 native species. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123the foreseeable future.” 4

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 distribution. J. Phycol. 41: 21–29. able future,” said Massimi. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123–Michael Massimi, BTNEP 4 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123Invasive Species Coordinator 4 Joni Blanchard, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234 Recent Grants One way the BTNEP is a native of Title: T-1 Line for Compressed Video participating in this fight is by hosting Labadieville, Louisiana, has joined the Room an upcoming public symposium that BTNEP program office as the new Public P.I.: Dr. Jessica Kastler will introduce the recently released Involvement Coordinator. Joni’s main Start–End Dates: 12/31/04–12/31/05 Louisiana Aquatic Invasive Species focus will be the development of a Grantor: Louisiana Board of Regents, (LAIS) Management Plan and facilitate comprehensive volunteer program for Louisiana Education Quality Support the implementation of its management the BTNEP. Formerly a park ranger Fund and control efforts. The Plan was with the Jean Lafitte National Historic Amount: $8,100 produced by the LAIS Council and Park and Preserve, Joni’s wide range of Title: Coastal Eutrophication and Advisory Task Force and is available for interpretive skills will be a tremendous Hypoxia: Implications for Mercury viewing at http://is.cbr.tulane.edu/ asset in her endeavors. Joni graduated Methylation, Mercury Biomagnification Louisiana AIS.html. from Nicholls State University with a and Human Health B.S. in mass communications. P.I.: Dr. David Senn (Harvard School of The BTNEP will also be helping to Public Health) organize a rapid assessment of flora and AmeriCorps Vista volunteer Annie Co-P.I.s: Dr. Ed Chesney, Dr. Nancy fauna in the Barataria-Terrebonne Estu- Bergelin, a native of Brooklyn, New Rabalais ary. Scientists from Louisiana and other York, began her one-year term of Start–End Dates: 9/1/04–8/31/05 Gulf States will service at the BTNEP Grantor: NOAA, Harvard School of team up with office in December Public Health educators, 2004. Annie received Amount: $44,190 state agents a B.A. in environmental design and a B.S. in Title: Determining the Geographical and volunteers Distribution, Maximum Depth and for a week of sociology from the Uni- Genetic Affinities of Corals on Offshore intensive field versity of Massachusetts Platforms, Northern Gulf of Mexico surveys. These at Amherst. Her main P.I.: Dr. Paul Sammarco rapid assess- task will be the develop- Start–End Dates: 9/1/04–8/31/06 ments provide ment and implemen- Grantor: Minerals Management Service, invaluable base- tation of a mini-grants U.S. Department of the Interior, line data for Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), overruns pilot program that is future invasive Davis Pond during summer 2004. The invasive similar to ones estab- Louisiana State University Coastal Marine aquatic plant was imported from South America Institute species manage- for the 1884 World's Fair in . Photo- lished at other National Amount: $302,850 ment efforts. graph by Michael Massimi, BTNEP. Estuary Programs.

Page 6 JASON continued from page 1 Multistressors continued from page 2 each composed of a Host Researcher, a “Not all of the marshes are falling apart,” excreted. The filtering capabilities of Teacher Argonaut and three 14–15 said Reed. “It’s important to under- clams and other bivalves such as year-old Student Argonauts. Each year stand how these ecosystems work and oysters and mussels can play an JASON Expeditions selects a small num- why some are doing better than others. important ber of Teacher and Student Argonauts Then you can have a better idea about role in from a large pool of applicants across the how to fix those that are in trouble.” maintain- world to participate in the Expedition’s ing water development and broadcasts. Oysters are one vital component of Lou- quality isiana’s coastal wetland ecosystem. Host and The four Host Researchers for this Expe- Researcher Dr. Earl Melancon, whose controlling dition were Dr. Denise Reed, a geology research focuses on these bivalves, explain- algal professor at the University of New ed the important role that oysters play blooms. Rangia clams (Rangia cuneata) Orleans and an adjunct professor at in the ecology and economy of coastal live in estuarine environments LUMCON, Dr. Earl Melancon, a marine Louisiana, all the while stressing the need Blooms along the northern Gulf of science professor at Nicholls State for proper salinity to maintain the health can harm Mexico and mid and south At- lantic seaboard. Photograph by University, Dr. Jacoby Carter, an ecolo- of oysters and the entire estuarine system. submerged Danielle Richardi. gist with the United States Geological vegeta- Survey National Wetlands Research “Salinity defines an estuary,” said tion by increasing the turbidity of the Center and Mark Schexnayder, a marine Melancon. “The oyster is a good biolog- water and preventing light from biologist with Louisiana State Univer- ical indicator of salinity since it only reaching the plants. Blooms can also sity AgCenter. In addition to participat- exists in certain salinity gradients. It’s cause hypoxia, a low-oxygen condition ing in the broadcasts, the researchers important for coastal restoration plans to that may develop when dense concen- helped to develop the Disappearing bring in this concept of salinity regime.” trations of algae die and sink through Wetlands curriculum and scheduled live the water column. These algae, along online question and answer sessions Through the efforts of many individuals with the sinking waste of zooplankton, with students across the globe. and organizations such as the JASON provide a feast for bacteria, which Foundation for Education, the immense break down the materials in a process For one of the live broadcasts, Reed led value of wetlands and the extent of their that depletes oxygen from the water. her research team into the brackish loss in Louisiana is reaching a national marsh behind LUMCON’s DeFelice and international audience. This growing Wong and his collaborators will be Marine Center to take sediment core awareness is one reason to be optimistic conducting feeding experiments at samples and map marsh elevation. for their future. LUMCON’s DeFelice Marine Center

Students learned that sediment cores ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and in the field to determine what are a lot more than just dirt. Much as Shell Oil Company is providing free algal species the mesoplankton and an archaeologist finds clues to a past Disappearing Wetlands teacher packs and clams are eating and at what rate they civilization at an archeological dig, Reed professional development training for all are filtering them from the water. finds clues from sediment cores that seventh and eighth grade science teachers They are particularly interested in explain the in Louisiana. For determining whether they are history of the information on consuming the potentially toxic marsh and how it this program, species of algae that exist within the was formed—she contact Brenda Barataria Basin. Wong’s results from can even detect Nixon at this study, combined with the results significant weather [email protected] or from the numerous other ongoing events such as 225-578-4082. projects that compose the Multistressors hurricanes. Reed For more informa- project, will provide useful informa- points to the tion about the tion for future estuarine and coastal marsh around the JASON Founda- restoration projects. Marine Center tion for Education The pink-stained organisms on the first Teacher Argonaut Nara Detiene, Host Researcher as an example of a and JASON Ex- page of this article are Daphnia healthy marsh Dr. Denise Reed and Student Argonaut Valerie Wil- peditions, please son (left to right) are sampling a sediment core lumholtzi. Daphnia sp. is an example of that is holding taken in the marsh behind LUMCON’s DeFelice visit their website mesozooplankton found in the Barataria its ground. Marine Center. Photograph by Brenda Babin. at www.jason.org. Basin. Photograph by David Wong.

Page 7 Louisiana Universities Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Marine Consortium PAID 8124 Highway 56 Chauvin, LA Permit No. 119 Chauvin, LA 70344

LUMCON NEWS Volume 5, Number 1, Winter 2005 http://www.lumcon.edu

This publication is printed on partially recycled paper. Please send all inquiries to Danielle Richardi, Editor [email protected]