Assessing the Impact of Oil/Dispersant on Marine Sponges and their Symbiotic Communities
Implementing Organization
University of Alabama
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$34,395
Known Leveraged Funding
$0
Funding Organization
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI)
Funding Program
Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative GoMRI Grant Program
Details
Project Category
Science
Project Actions
Environmental Research
Targeted Resources
Human and/or Institutional Capacity
Project Description
Marine sponges are known to filter large quantities of seawater (on the order of 100's to 1000's of liters per day). As sessile organisms, they are likely to demonstrate bioaccumulation of oil and/or dispersant more rapidly than vagile, non-filter-feeding organisms. Additionally, sponges serve as a host for a wide variety of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. In some sponges, up to 40% of the biomass is microbial rather than sponge and they provide habitat to a diverse array of endofaunal associates.
Contact
Julie Olson205-348-2633
jolson@bama.ua.edu
Project Website
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