Bioluminescence lagoons in Puerto Rico 2

It was way more brighter than I thought!  

Laguna Grande

For a week-long intense field work, more than 15 undergraduate students and 7 instructors had worked together to conduct various experiments, including environmental monitoring, phytoplankton and zooplankton metabolism, and sediment-water nutrient flux, in Laguna grande, Puerto Rico. I would like to share pictures showing a time line of our experiments. 

Collecting sediment cores

Sediment core samples collect at three sites (tape colors indicate sites) 

Set up incubation for light-dark experiment

Collect water samples 

We had also monitored water properties throughout the lagoon and, interestingly, there was a wide range of difference in depth, salinity, oxygen, and turbidity. I did not expect such a big difference in all aspects of ecosystem properties in the small ecosystem from the head (near the channel of the Caribbean Sea) to the other end (near mangrove forest) of the lagoon. Our preliminary sediment-water flux results also suggest that there was 5-fold difference between sites in the flux of respiratory products, such as ammonium and dissolved inorganic carbon. In fact, this experience makes me think that I want to do whole ecosystem study similar to 'Ecology of a New England salt marsh (Nixon & Oviatt 1973).' It was too short period to fill all processes into the diagram but hopefully I can work there again in near future.

Uncompleted conceptual diagram

Most of all, I would like to thanks all participants and Drs. Moser and Cornwell in the program for providing me the wonderful research experience in the Caribbean island.

Bioluminescence lagoons in Puerto Rico

I have traveled many cities in the US to participate in oceanographic research and conferences but didn't have a chance to travel outside this mainland. Now, I will be in Puerto Rico (PR) in June 2013 and help Puerto Rican undergraduates who want to learn aquatic science.

The title of this National Science Foundation funded project is:
Undergraduate Research Experiences in Estuarine Processes

Drs. Moser (director at Maryland Sea Grant College), Harris, Cornwell, and Pierson (faculties at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science) have been collaborating with Puerto Rican scientists and conducting preliminary studies in bioluminescent lagoons in PR.

In the upper right corner of the country, bioluminescent lagoons are located in the city of Fajardo and the lagoons are surrounded by mangrove forest. Inorganic matter produced or released from mangrove trees are known to be consumed by dinoflagellates which emit bluish color.

The lagoons are now heavily protected due to detrimental effects of tourism in the country and a lot of efforts has been made by individual and groups to protect this environment. However, only a handful number of research has been conducted and we have no clear understanding of this amazing plankton reaction and the effect of changing environmental conditions. We hope that our collaboration not only enhances our understanding in the ecosystem but also increases awareness of this vulnerable environments. Also, I personally hope that I can improve my teaching skill through an interaction with local students. I will keep posting this project as it progress.