Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies

Long-term fisheries independent gill net surveys conducted in Texas estuaries from 1975 to 2006 were used to develop spatially explicit estuarine habitat use models for 3 coastal shark species: bull shark Carcharhinus leucas, blacktip shark C. limbatus, and bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo. Relationships between environmental predictors and shark distribution were investigated using boosted regression trees (BRT). Bull shark was the most abundant species (n = 5800), followed by blacktip (n = 2094), and bonnethead sharks (n = 1793). Environmental conditions influenced distribution patterns of all species and relationships were nonlinear, multivariate, and interactive. Results showed very good model performance and suggested shark distribution is most closely linked to salinity, temperature, and proximity to tidal inlets. By interpolating the BRT models, maps of the probability of capture were produced using ordinary kriging. Results showed that the central region along the Texas coast contains the most important estuarine shark habitat. This area was characterized by warm temperatures, moderate salinities, and abundant tidal inlets. Bull sharks also extended into low salinity estuaries, while blacktip and bonnethead sharks were restricted to areas near tidal passes with moderate salinities. Juvenile sharks were frequently captured, suggesting the Texas coast may constitute important nursery areas for all 3 species. The development of these spatially explicit models allows for prioritization and conservation of areas in a region that has great potential for human disturbance and climate change impacts. These results provide new insight into the habitat requirements of coastal sharks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico and practical information for managing this resource.

More than four decades of alkalinity and pH data (late 1960s to 2010) from coastal bays along the northwestern Gulf of Mexico were analyzed for temporal changes across a climatic gradient of decreasing rainfall and freshwater inflow, from northeast to southwest. The majority (16 out of 27) of these bays (including coastal waters) showed a long-term reduction in alkalinity at a rate of 3.0-21.6 μM yr(-1). Twenty-two bays exhibited pH decreases at a rate of 0.0014-0.0180 yr(-1). In contrast, a northernmost coastal bay exhibited increases in both alkalinity and pH. Overall, the two rates showed a significant positive correlation, indicating that most of these bays, especially those at lower latitudes, have been experiencing long-term acidification. The observed alkalinity decrease may be caused by reduced riverine alkalinity export, a result of precipitation decline under drought conditions, and freshwater diversion for human consumption, as well as calcification in these bays. A decrease in alkalinity inventory and accompanying acidification may have negative impacts on shellfish production in these waters. In addition, subsequent reduction in alkalinity export from these bays to the adjacent coastal ocean may also decrease the buffer capacity of the latter against future acidification.

The hypothesis that “freshwater inflow variability over space and time can drive suspended solids and nutrient concentrations” was tested by comparing three micro-tidal estuaries (Guadalupe, Lavaca-Colorado, and Nueces) in Texas with different hydrologic flow regimes over three years with wet and dry conditions. In all three estuaries, Total suspended solids (TSS) was less than 50 mg/L most of the time. In the Nueces Estuary, TSS of higher than 100 mg/L occurred during frontal events. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (ammonia+nitrite+nitrate) concentrations were most of the time lowest in the Nueces Estuary (i.e. ≤0.5μmol/L), with low inflow rates and high average salinity of 37.6. Salinity was highest in the river-estuary mouth (average salinity 38.3) of the Nueces Estuary relative to the other oceanic-side stations (average salinity 37), indicating that the system was a “reverse estuary” where evaporation exceeds freshwater inflow, resulting in net inflow of marine water into the estuary. The inverse correlation between ammonium and salinity in all three estuaries and the corresponding negative correlation between nitrite+nitrate concentrations and salinity in the Guadalupe Estuary indicate that the quantity of inflow controls nitrogen concentrations and transformations in the three estuaries. Drought conditions limited riverine transport of nitrogen and sediment to the three estuaries, demonstrating the importance of freshwater inflow to maintaining these constituents. Average silica and orthophosphate concentrations correlated positively with chlorophyll-a in combined data from all three estuaries. Silica and orthophosphate concentrations remained constant over the study period, but correlated with chlorophyll-a when suspended solid was low. Therefore, inflow dynamics drive changes in the salinity regime, suspended solids, and act to maintain nutrient concentrations.

Abstract The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is a foundation species within US Gulf of Mexico (GoM) estuaries that has experienced substantial population declines. As changes from management and climate are expected to continue to impact estuarine salinity, understanding how local oyster populations might respond and identifying populations with adaptations to more extreme changes in salinity could inform resource management, including restoration and aquaculture programs. Wild oysters were collected from four estuarine sites from Texas [Packery Channel (PC): 35.5, annual mean salinity, Aransas Bay (AB): 23.0] and Louisiana [Calcasieu Lake (CL): 16.2, Vermilion Bay (VB): 7.4] and spawned. The progeny were compared in field and laboratory studies under different salinity regimes. For the field study, F1 oysters were deployed at low (6.4) and intermediate (16.5) salinity sites in Alabama. Growth and mortality were measured monthly. Condition index and Perkinsus marinus infection intensity were measured quarterly. For the laboratory studies, mortality was recorded in F1 oysters that were exposed to salinities of 2.0, 4.0, 20.0/22.0, 38.0 and 44.0 with and without acclimation. The results of the field study and laboratory study with acclimation indicated that PC oysters are adapted to high-salinity conditions and do not tolerate very low salinities. The AB stock had the highest plasticity as it performed as well as the PC stock at high salinities and as well as Louisiana stocks at the lowest salinity. Louisiana stocks did not perform as well as the Texas stocks at high salinities. Results from the laboratory studies without salinity acclimation showed that all F1 stocks experiencing rapid mortality at low salinities when 3-month oysters collected at a salinity of 24 were used and at both low and high salinities when 7-month oysters collected at a salinity of 14.5 were used.

Abstract Knowledge of the spatial distribution of populations is fundamental to management plans for any species. When tracking data are used to describe distributions, it is sometimes assumed that the reported locations of individuals delineate the spatial extent of areas used by the target population. Here we examine existing approaches to validate this assumption, highlight caveats, and propose a new method for a more informative assessment of the number of tracked animals (i.e. sample size) necessary to identify distribution patterns. We show how this assessment can be achieved by considering the heterogeneous use of habitats by a target species using the probabilistic property of a utilisation distribution. Our methods are compiled in the r package SDL filter . We illustrate and compare the protocols underlying existing and new methods using conceptual models and demonstrate an application of our approach using a large satellite tracking dataset of flatback turtles Natator depressus tagged with accurate Fastloc‐GPS tags ( n = 69). Our approach has applicability for the post hoc validation of sample sizes required for the robust estimation of distribution patterns across a wide range of taxa, populations and life‐history stages of animals.

Abstract A growing concern of coastal communities is increased flood risk and non‐monetary consequences due to climate‐induced impacts such as sea level rise (SLR). Previous efforts have discussed the importance of future flood risk quantification using broad aggregations of monetary loss with “bathtub” SLR models rather than more physically based modeling approaches. Here we quantify actual impacts to coastal communities at the census block level using a dynamic, high‐resolution, bio geophysical modeling framework for four SLR scenarios for the year 2100. This framework accounts for future sea‐levels, landscape change, and urbanization to quantify the 1% and 0.2% annual exceedance probability (AEP) water levels. The computed AEP water levels were used to quantify building damage and populations of displaced people and people requiring long‐term shelter across the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) (Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle). The increase in damaged buildings under SLR is linear, with an increase of 16,367 damaged buildings per 1 m of SLR ( R 2 = 0.96) for the 1% AEP flood. The rate increases to 24,981 damaged buildings per 1 m of SLR ( R 2 = 0.96) for the 0.2% AEP, on average. The increase in displaced people across the NGOM is 8,056 people per meter of SLR, and people requiring shelter is 300 per meter of SLR. The results in this work highlight the varying levels of risk across the NGOM and the change in risk under climate change‐induced impacts.

Coralgal reefs preserve the signatures of sea-level fluctuations over Earth's history, in particular since the Last Glacial Maximum 20,000 years ago, and are used in this study to indicate that punctuated sea-level rise events are more common than previously observed during the last deglaciation. Recognizing the nature of past sea-level rises (i.e., gradual or stepwise) during deglaciation is critical for informing models that predict future vertical behavior of global oceans. Here we present high-resolution bathymetric and seismic sonar data sets of 10 morphologically similar drowned reefs that grew during the last deglaciation and spread 120 km apart along the south Texas shelf edge. Herein, six commonly observed terrace levels are interpreted to be generated by several punctuated sea-level rise events forcing the reefs to shrink and backstep through time. These systematic and common terraces are interpreted to record punctuated sea-level rise events over timescales of decades to centuries during the last deglaciation, previously recognized only during the late Holocene.

Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) has become a powerful and useful approach for population genomics. Currently, no software exists that utilizes both paired-end reads from RADseq data to efficiently produce population-informative variant calls, especially for organisms with large effective population sizes and high levels of genetic polymorphism but for which no genomic resources exist. dDocent is an analysis pipeline with a user-friendly, command-line interface designed to process individually barcoded RADseq data (with double cut sites) into informative SNPs/Indels for population-level analyses. The pipeline, written in BASH, uses data reduction techniques and other stand-alone software packages to perform quality trimming and adapter removal, de novo assembly of RAD loci, read mapping, SNP and Indel calling, and baseline data filtering. Double-digest RAD data from population pairings of three different marine fishes were used to compare dDocent with Stacks , the first generally available, widely used pipeline for analysis of RADseq data. dDocent consistently identified more SNPs shared across greater numbers of individuals and with higher levels of coverage. This is most likely due to the fact that dDocent quality trims instead of filtering and incorporates both forward and reverse reads in assembly, mapping, and SNP calling, thus enabling use of reads with Indel polymorphisms. The pipeline and a comprehensive user guide can be found at (http://dDocent.wordpress.com).

Mercury is a risk in aquatic ecosystems when the metal is converted to methylmercury (MeHg) and subsequently bioaccumulates in aquatic food webs. This risk can be difficult to manage because of the complexity of biogeochemical processes for mercury and the need for accessible techniques to navigate this complexity. Here, we explored the use of diffusive gradient in thin-film (DGT) passive samplers as a tool to simultaneously quantify the methylation potential of inorganic Hg (IHg) and the bioaccumulation potential of MeHg in freshwater wetlands. Outdoor freshwater wetland mesocosms were amended with four isotopically labeled and geochemically relevant IHg forms that represent a range of methylation potentials (202Hg2+, 201Hg-humic acid, 199Hg-sorbed to FeS, and 200HgS nanoparticles). Six weeks after the spikes, we deployed DGT samplers in the mesocosm water and sediments, evaluated DGT-uptake rates of total Hg, MeHg, and IHg (calculated by difference) for the Hg isotope spikes, and examined correlations with total Hg, MeHg, and IHg concentrations in sediment, water, and micro and macrofauna in the ecosystem. In the sediments, we observed greater relative MeHg concentrations from the initially dissolved IHg isotope spikes and lower MeHg levels from the initially particulate IHg spikes. These trends were consistent with uptake flux of IHg into DGTs deployed in surface sediments. Moreover, we observed correlations between total Hg-DGT uptake flux and MeHg levels in periphyton biofilms, submergent plant stems, snails, and mosquitofish in the ecosystem. These correlations were better for DGTs deployed in the water column compared to DGTs in the sediments, suggesting the importance of vertical distribution of bioavailable MeHg in relation to food sources for macrofauna. Overall, these results demonstrate that DGT passive samplers are a relatively simple and efficient tool for predicting IHg methylation and MeHg bioaccumulation potentials without the need to explicitly delineate IHg and MeHg speciation and partitioning in complex ecosystems.

Abstract Florida legislation requires determining and implementing an appropriate range and frequency of freshwater inflows that will sustain a fully functional estuary. Changes in inflow dynamics to the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Florida have altered salinity regimes that, in turn, have altered the ecological integrity of the estuary. The purpose of this current project is to determine how changes in freshwater inflows affect water quality, and in turn, benthic macrofauna, spatially within the Caloosahatchee Estuary and between multiyear wet and dry periods. Thirty-four benthic species were identified as being indicator species for salinity zones, and the estuary was divided into 4 zones based on differences in community structure within the estuary. Community structure had the highest correlations with water quality parameters that were common indicators of freshwater conditions resulting from inflows. A significant relationship between salinity and diversity occurs both spatially and temporally because of increased numbers of marine species as salinities increase. A salinity-based model was used to estimate inflow during wet and dry periods for each of the macrofauna community zones. The approach used here (identifying bioindicators and community zones with corresponding inflow ranges) is generic and will be useful for developing targets for managing inflow in estuaries worldwide. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:529–539. © 2015 SETAC Key Points A generic approach is developed to identify bioindicators of salinity zones with corresponding inflow ranges. The Caloosahatchee Estuary is divided into 4 macrobenthic community zones. Macrofauna communities are correlated with freshwater indicators, that is, salinity. Dry periods and high salinities correlate with increases in macrobenthic diversity.

The Nueces River System has been subject to adaptive management since construction of the Choke Canyon Reservoir in 1982. A special condition required the City of Corpus Christi to provide not less than 185 million cubic meters (151,000 ac-ft) of water per year to the Nueces Estuary through a combination of spills, releases, and return flows to maintain ecological health and productivity of living marine resources. However, no releases were made and salinities in Nueces Bay increased to hypersaline conditions during the drought period of 1988-1990 and the estuary was inverted where fresher water entered the delta on high tides. In contrast, the bay historically supported populations of shrimp and oysters generally requiring salinities in the range of 10-20 ppt. Beginning in May 1990, the Texas Water Commission issued a series of Orders requiring the City to meet the special conditions contained in their water right permit and provide for freshwater inflows to the estuary. Since 1990, a series of restoration activities, monitoring and experimental studies, and Order amendments has resulted in a stakeholder driven process that increased environmental health while providing a sustainable water supply to the region. However, with climate change and continued development, more changes are likely to occur in the future. The lesson learned is that the goal of achieving consensus can occur with a blend and balance of science and a stakeholder decision process.

Abstract Fixed-point and probabilistic sampling designs were compared to investigate which design best detected known contamination gradients in the marine ecosystem adjacent to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The fixed-point sampling design included transects along historical contamination and physical disturbance gradients. The probabilistic sampling design used randomly selected hexagons spaced at 50 m intervals. In both designs, 15 stations were sampled over a small area (~1 km 2 ) that extended from Winter Quarters Bay to Cape Armitage. Sediment quality triad components (sediment chemical contaminants, sediment toxicity, and a benthic index of biotic integrity) were measured to indicate chemical, toxicological, and biological effects. There were higher correlations between sediment quality triad components for the fixed-point sampling design than for the probabilistic design. The fixed-point design was better at detecting the intensity of alteration because disturbance of the marine ecosystem at McMurdo Station is localized within a small area. Based on these results, a limited fixed-point design with nine stations detected no significant change in macrofaunal community structure over a four year period from 2000–2004. However, the macrofaunal assemblages present in the contaminated portions of Winter Quarters Bay are indicative of a disturbed benthic community that has been subject to organic enrichment and toxic chemical exposure.

Most studies on crowding perception have focused on terrestrial natural areas and, to a lesser extent, on marine areas. The cenotes (sinkholes) of the Yucatán Peninsula are flooded caves that comprise one of the largest freshwater reserves in Mexico, and their use is rapidly changing from agricultural-livestock to tourism-recreational. Determining crowding indicators and standards has proven to be an effective tool in making the social dimension of carrying capacity in tourism-recreational sites operative and contributing to its sustainable management. This study used normative theory and the visual method to identify the crowding standards of visitors to two cenotes located in the community of San Antonio Mulix in Yucatán and to compare these standards in three types of visitors: local, national and international. Likewise, willingness to pay (WTP) for each type of visitor was identified and its correlation to perceived crowding was analyzed. The results found that visitor acceptability in both cenotes decreased as the number of people increased. In both cenotes international visitors have the most restricted crowding acceptability levels and are those who are willing to pay a higher entry fee. Finally, the results are discussed in the framework of better management of the cenotes.

New records of 14 stygobiont crustacean species pertaining to six Malacostraca orders from 32 cenotes are presented, with their associated caves of the state of Yucatan, Mexico, together with an individual account for each species. Species composition of most of the investigated cenotes is examined for the first time. A thermosbaenacean and two amphipod species were not formally recorded to the cenote ecosystems of the state of Yucatan prior to our research. Distribution data of a cirolanid isopod previously known only from its type locality is also provided. Barcodes of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I for the reported peracarid species previously lacking this information have been included in present study as tools for species identification and a baseline of further molecular genetic analyses.

Abstract Developing a low‐cost, robust, and high‐performance electrocatalyst capable of efficiently performing both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under both basic and acidic conditions is a major challenge. This area of research has attracted much attention in recent decades due to its importance in energy storage and conversion. Herein, we report the synthesis of two imine‐linked isoindigo‐based covalent organic networks I‐TTA and I‐TG (I=Isoindigo, TTA=4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)‐trianiline, TG=triamino‐guanidinium hydrochloride salt). By introducing two amine core units with different planarity, such as triazine and ionic guanidinium units, we control the morphology, crystallinity, and corresponding electrocatalytic properties of the materials. The combination of isoindigo dialdehyde with a planar triazine core, leads to the formation of thin, highly crystalline, planar two dimensional (2D) nanosheets covalent organic framework (COF), I‐TTA whereas its combination with ionic non‐planar guanidinium core leads to an amorphous covalent organic polymer (COP), I‐TG with a fibrous morphology. The sheet‐like crystalline I‐TTA COF shows better electrocatalytic activity compared to the amorphous fibrous I‐TG COP. I‐TTA exhibits a current density of 10 mA cm −2 at an overpotential of ~134 mV for HER (in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 ) and ~283 mV for OER (in 1 M KOH). The electrocatalytic activity of the I‐TTA COF in the OER exceeds that of other metal‐free COFs. The catalytic activity is maintained even after 24 hours of chronoamperometry and 500 cycles of cyclic voltammetry (CV) at high scan rates.

Abstract Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma supports a multimillion dollar commercial and recreational fishery in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite its economic importance, the Southern Flounder population has been declining for decades. To improve the management of this fishery, both population trends and changes in environmental conditions need to be considered. Using two different statistical modeling techniques, boosted regression tree (BRT) and artificial neural network (ANN), a 29-year fisheries-independent record of juvenile Southern Flounder abundance in Texas was examined to illustrate how environmental factors influence the temporal and spatial distribution of juvenile Southern Flounder. Boosted regression trees show the presence of juvenile Southern Flounder is closely associated with relatively low temperatures, low salinity levels, and high dissolved oxygen concentrations. Both ANN and BRT models resulted in high predictive performance with slight spatial differences in predicted distribution. Both models suggested high probability of occurrence in Galveston Bay and East Matagorda Bay. The ANN accurately predicted higher probability of occurrence in Sabine Lake compared with the BRT model. Our results will provide tools for fisheries managers to enhance management and sustainability of the Southern Flounder population. Moreover, these results also identify a predictive framework for proactive approaches to ecosystem management by providing more data to identify essential habitat features and understanding relationships between abiotic and biotic factors within those habitats. Received October 16, 2012; accepted May 22, 2013

This study's primary objective lies in short-term forecasting of where and when hypoxia may transpire to enable observing its effects in real time, focusing on a case study in Corpus Christi Bay (Texas). Dissolved oxygen levels in this bay can be characterized by three temporal trends (daily, seasonal, and long-term). To predict hypoxic events, these three mathematical trends are isolated and extracted to obtain unbiased forecasts using a sequential normalization approach. Next, machine learning algorithms are constructed employing the continuous, normalized values from a variety of sensor locations. By including latitude and longitude coordinates as additional variables, a spatial depiction of hypoxic conditions can be illustrated effectively, allowing for more efficient summer data collection and more accurate, near-real-time projections. Using k-nearest neighbor and regression tree algorithms, approximate probabilities of observing hypoxia the following day were calculated, and estimates of dissolved oxygen levels were also computed. During periods in which hypoxia was observed, forecast probabilities of hypoxia exceeded 80%. Conversely, during periods in which no hypoxia was observed, the model's estimate remained below 20%. These results indicate that the modeling approach produces reasonable forecasts for this case study.

Recent studies of the trophic structure of the underwater cave ecosystems in the Yucatán Peninsula have regarded the largest crustacean inhabitant, the blind palaemonid shrimp Creaseria morleyi (Creaser, 1936), as a scavenger and predator without any evidence on the behavior of the shrimp. The predatory behavior of C. morleyi is here described for the first time, verifying its classification as a predator. A variety of prey targets, including the atyid shrimp Typhlatya sp., were used to demonstrate predation and saprophagous feeding behavior in C. morleyi using in vitro and in situ observations. Scanning electron microscope images show the structures of the antennules and antennae that could be responsible for prey detection. Findings show that C. morleyi is capable of hunting a variety of prey, most likely depending on their relative size. Observations on the feeding strategy of C. morleyi suggest any animal within a particular size range is a potential prey, including its own species, which suggests the hypothesis that growth may be favored in early stages of life in order to reach a size refuge from predation. These observations provide information of some of the adaptations necessary for a predator to thrive in an aphotic and oligotrophic environment.

[The galatheoid, Eumunida picta, primarily has been reported from deep sea corals and methane seeps; we examined its association with the deep-sea coral, Lophelia pertusa in a non-seep habitat. We used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to quantify invertebrate epifauna on six shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico in depths of 150 to 1950 m during summer, 2004. Video transects were conducted from over the shipwrecks to 333 m away from the wrecks. Eumunida picta specimens were observed on one of the six wrecks, from 530 to 560 m depth. When present, E. picta were primarily in association with Lophelia pertusa. Eumunida picta were associated with L. pertusa in >80% of the observations and were usually within 1 m of the coral when not in direct contact. The coral may be providing an optimal feeding location for the galatheoid, refuge from predation, or some combination of those. Le Galatheoidea Eumunida picta a ete tout d'abord decouvert dans les coraux profonds et les suintements de methane; nous avons examine son association avec le corail profond, Lophelia pertusa dans un habitat non suintant. Nous avons utilise un systeme teleopere a grande profondeur (ROV, Remotely Operated Vehicle) pour quantifier l'epifaune invertebree sur six epaves de bateaux dans le golfe du Mexique a des profondeurs de 150 a 1950 m au cours de l'ete 2004. Des transects videos ont ete realises depuis les epaves jusqu'a 333 m autour de celles-ci. Des specimens d'Eumunida picta ont ete observes sur l'une des six epaves, a une profondeur de 530 a 560 m. Quand ils etaient presents, les specimens de E. picta etaient associes au Lophelia pertusa. Les Eumunida picta etaient associes a L. pertusa dans plus de 80% des observations et etaient habituellement presents dans une zone de 1 m autour des coraux quand ils n'etaient pas en contact direct. Les coraux pourraient procurer a ce Galatheoidea un excellent site pour se nourrir, un refuge face a la predation ou une combinaison des deux., The galatheoid, Eumunida picta, primarily has been reported from deep sea corals and methane seeps; we examined its association with the deep-sea coral, Lophelia pertusa in a non-seep habitat. We used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to quantify invertebrate epifauna on six shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico in depths of 150 to 1950 m during summer, 2004. Video transects were conducted from over the shipwrecks to 333 m away from the wrecks. Eumunida picta specimens were observed on one of the six wrecks, from 530 to 560 m depth. When present, E. picta were primarily in association with Lophelia pertusa. Eumunida picta were associated with L. pertusa in >80% of the observations and were usually within 1 m of the coral when not in direct contact. The coral may be providing an optimal feeding location for the galatheoid, refuge from predation, or some combination of those. Le Galatheoidea Eumunida picta a ete tout d'abord decouvert dans les coraux profonds et les suintements de methane; nous avons examine son association avec le corail profond, Lophelia pertusa dans un habitat non suintant. Nous avons utilise un systeme teleopere a grande profondeur (ROV, Remotely Operated Vehicle) pour quantifier l'epifaune invertebree sur six epaves de bateaux dans le golfe du Mexique a des profondeurs de 150 a 1950 m au cours de l'ete 2004. Des transects videos ont ete realises depuis les epaves jusqu'a 333 m autour de celles-ci. Des specimens d'Eumunida picta ont ete observes sur l'une des six epaves, a une profondeur de 530 a 560 m. Quand ils etaient presents, les specimens de E. picta etaient associes au Lophelia pertusa. Les Eumunida picta etaient associes a L. pertusa dans plus de 80% des observations et etaient habituellement presents dans une zone de 1 m autour des coraux quand ils n'etaient pas en contact direct. Les coraux pourraient procurer a ce Galatheoidea un excellent site pour se nourrir, un refuge face a la predation ou une combinaison des deux.]

Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) are useful tools for monitoring and management of waterbodies to increase data capture rates and quantities within shorter time frames and at lower costs than manned methods. SeaTrac Systems Inc.’s SP- 4S ASV is an autonomous boat designed to provide a platform to collect water quality data on a long term (i.e., months) basis. Solar panels provide continuous power supply to the vessel and the instruments within. Autonomous steering and path tracking capability of the ASV allows users to predetermine a data collection path using Geographic Positioning System (GPS) waypoints. SP-48 is designed to collect water quality parameters that include Chlorophyll a (Chl-a), Phycocyanin (PC), Phycoerythrin (PE), Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), Dissolved Oxygen, Temperature, Turbidity, Salinity, pH, Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (pCO <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> ), and Backscattering. To provide collection of these parameters, six water quality sensors (SeaBird Scientific Inc.’s ECO-Triplet-FL3-B [Chl-a, PC, PE], ECO-Triplet-BB2FL [CDOM, Turbidity], ECO-Triplet-BB3 [Backscattering], SBE 63 [Dissolved Oxygen], ProOceanus Inc.’s CO <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> ProCV [pCO <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> ], and AML Oceanographic Inc.’s CT Xchange [pH, Salinity, Temperature]) were integrated into the ASV. Additionally, the ASV has integrated instruments that capture GPS, wind, and meteorological data. The GPS is captured by an Airmar GH2183 Network GPS Compass and the wind and meteorological data is captured by an Airmar 200WX WeatherStation. To receive the data from the water quality sensors, two options were considered. One possibility was to use sensor specific software to capture and store the data on the ASV onboard computer. This would require all software to run every time the ASV is deployed. In addition, the output files would not be accessible for real-time processing, preventing real-time data visualization and monitoring. The second option was to create a single interface to obtain data from all the sensors and send it to a server on a real-time basis. Ultimately, a connection tool (named Sensors Bridge) was developed to transmit water quality, GPS, and meteorology data by capturing information from communication (COM) ports and a LAN port onboard the ASV. The captured data was sent to a server located at Mississippi State University via a cellular network for storage and visualization. A Node.js server was created to provide the gateway to the database and the publicly available web application. The Node.js server processes the raw data, converts it to its final form, and saves it to the database. The data was stored in a PostgreSQL/ PostGIS relational spatial database. The web application (web app) named Water Quality Monitor was developed to visualize data in real-time as well as query historical data. The app contains four major components (Dashboard, Charts, Maps, and Add Location) that are accessible through a tabs interface in the app. The Dashboard component displays the last 30 records captured for each water quality parameter as a line graph depicting parameter magnitude as a function of time. Additionally, it displays the current location of the vessel and recently recorded points. There is also a bar graph showing all the parameters with the number of data points stored in the database, which can help monitor the quantity of records stored in the database for each parameter. The Chart tab assists in querying and visualization of historical data as a line or bar graph. Data can also be downloaded in image and spreadsheet formats. The Map tab provides the option of visualizing the water quality data spatially as a raster, vector, and heatmap. Users can download the data as a spatial file format. The Add Location tab enables system administrators to add a new study area. Once the boundary, name, and code of a study area are specified, database tables are automatically created. When the ASV starts capturing data from a study location, the data is saved to its respective locational database tables. Complete implementation of real-time data capture and visualization streamlines water quality monitoring. Additionally, captured data can be used for time series analysis. The current implementation lays a foundation for a decision support system.