The Coastal Ocean Institute and Rinehart Coastal Research
Center promote scientific inquiry into the phenomena that
shape our coastal waters and ecosystems, encouraging innovative,
interdisciplinary research and high-risk technology development.
We also strive to translate the results of this basic research
for citizens and policymakers, while providing a solid information
base for resource managers.
In July, Don Anderson became the director of COI and RCRC,
succeeding Ken Brink. Don is a biologist who conducts research
on toxic and harmful blooms of algae, commonly called “red
tides.”
In addition to six research projects initiated in 2004 (see
map below), we undertook a wide range of activities to promote
and communicate coastal research. In April, our Short Course
and Workshop on Coastal Change drew 70 individuals, including
federal and state agency representatives, students, and researchers.
In September, the Moving Shoreline Forum generated lively
debate with trustees and guests, and culminated in a science
plan for an initiative on this topic. Bruce Peterson, of the
Marine Biological Laboratory, gave a seminar on carbon and
nutrient flux in the coastal oceans, and Richard Jahnke, of
the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, gave a seminar on
continental margin processes in marine biogeochemical cycles.
We provided support for three postdocs this year. Rubao Ji
is studying processes that control phytoplankton blooms on
Georges Bank. Kevin Kroeger is studying nitrogen in groundwater
at the interface of land and sea to better understand groundwater
input to coastal pollution. Tom Hsu is modeling sediment transport
in nearshore waters. We initiated support for two new COI
Fellows, Jeff Donnelly, a geologist (jointly sponsored with
the Ocean and Climate Change Institute), and Chris Reddy,
an organic chemist. Jeff specializes in climate change recorded
in sediments, and Chris studies the source, transport, and
fate of organic compounds in seawater.
We continue to support John Trowbridge, who is taking a leadership
role in guiding work at the Martha’s Vineyard Coastal Observatory,
and Heidi Sosik (jointly with the Ocean Life Institute), who
works on phytoplankton ecology and biooptics.
—Don Anderson (danderson@whoi.edu)
Institute Director
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