Upcoming Events
MS Thesis Defense
Aug 7, 2020, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
***Postponed to the Fall 2020 semester***
Candidate: Jessica Collins
Defense Date and Time: Friday August 7, 2020 at 10:00 am
Defense Location: WebEx (Please RSVP to slister1@gmu.edu for link)
Title: IMPACTS OF SEDIMENT EXPOSURE DURING ROUTINE HANDLING ON NURSERY-RAISED ACROPORA CERVICORNIS
Thesis Director: Dr. Esther C. Peters
Committee: Dr. Esther C. Peters, Dr. A. Alonso Aguirre, and Dr. Jennifer Salerno
ABSTRACT
Coral restoration and conservation techniques have made significant progress in combatting the decline of critical reef-building species, such as staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis. Unfortunately, disease persists in nursery-grown fragments and outplanted colonies, raising the question of whether restoration techniques should be re-assessed to determine possible vectors, such as sediment, that may expose fragments to potential pathogens. In 2016, two experiments were performed in two of Coral Restoration Foundation’s (CRF) offshore nurseries, located in the Florida Keys, to assess the long- and short-term impact of sediment exposure on tissue condition of A. cervicornis fragments. Samples were observed histologically and semiquantitative data analyzed to determine if an alteration in handling protocols would result in healthier fragments suitable for outplanting on local reefs. Results from the long-term impact study showed no significant difference in tissue condition between fragments exposed to sediment and those not exposed and no significant difference between fragments handled with gloves and those handled with bare hands. Results from one of the short-term impact studies showed significant differences in certain tissue condition parameters of fragments exposed to sediment when compared to those not exposed, demonstrating a stress response to exposure. Results of both experiments support the current handling protocol of colonies for the long-term goal of outplanting; however, poor tissue condition observed on the interior of many apparently healthy-looking fragments reinforces the importance of histological examination as a tool for restoration.