Complete Session List

Organizers: Benjamin Cuker, Hampton University, benjamin.cuker@hamptonu.edu; Deidre M. Gibson, Hampton University, Deidre.Gibson@hamptonu.edu

The student symposium provides undergraduate and beginning graduate students with the opportunity to orally present research findings and well developed research proposals. The symposium is designed primary for participants in the ASLO Multicultural Program, but is also open to other students. The symposium stresses constructive feedback from members of the audience.

Organizers: Paris W. Vachon, Defence Research and Development Canada, Paris.Vachon@drdc-rddc.gc.ca; Brian G. Whitehouse, OEA Technologies Incorporated, bwhitehouse@oeatech.com

Since the launch of the first civilian spaceborne synthetic aperture radar sensor on NASA's SeaSat satellite in 1978, it has been recognized that such sensors detect aquatic fronts, eddies, water mass boundaries, upwelling zones, waves, plumes and current gradients, at synoptic scales and spatial resolutions of tens of metres. And synthetic aperture radar is not impeded by clouds or the absence of natural light. This session recognizes the potential impact of new Canadian (RADARSAT-2) and German (TerraSAR-X) spaceborne synthetic aperture radar sensors, both of which will be launched in 2007, by inviting presentations that further our understanding of coastal processes and feature detection through the use of synthetic aperture radar. Presentations may involve new or mature sensors and the session welcomes investigations that provide additional insight through blending synthetic aperture radar data with data collected by other types of environmental sensors, whether they be mounted on satellites or other platforms.

Organizers: Victoria J. Fabry, California State University San Marcos, fabry@csusm.edu; William M. Balch, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, bbalch@bigelow.org; Richard A. Feely, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory/NOAA, Richard.A.Feely@noaa.gov

Oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2 changes seawater chemistry and can have significant impacts on marine biogeochemical processes and organisms. Increasing the amount of dissolved CO2 in oceans decreases the pH and the CaCO3 saturation state of seawater. The pH of surface oceans has dropped by 0.1 units since the industrial revolution and, if fossil fuel combustion continues at present rates, the pH of the world’s oceans will probably drop another 0.3 to 0.4 units by 2100. As the world’s oceans become more acidic, many calcifying marine organisms will be negatively impacted, which could lead to cascading effects throughout marine food webs. The goal of this session is to discuss recent advances in the field of ocean acidification. All spatial and temporal timescales will be included, from molecular to global and from paleo-environmental studies to models of future impacts. Topics of interests include, but are not limited to: (1) effects on nutrient and elemental cycles; (2) estimates of calcification and dissolution at the organism, community and global scales; (3) physiological effects on calcifying and non-calcifying organisms; and (4) feedback mechanisms and decadal to centennial projections of future ocean acidification impacts.

Organizers: Clare E. Reimers, Oregon State University, creimers@coas.oregonstate.edu; Peter Girguis, Harvard University, pgirguis@oeb.harvard.edu

The production of electricity with microbial fuel cells (MFCs) that are supplied organic matter or inorganic mediators from the environment is a new and exciting area of research and technology. MFCs are being tested in an increasing number of marine environments and generally produce power levels of tens to hundreds of milliWatts at less than 0.8V. Substrate consumption by MFCs gives insight into competition for electron donors by marine microorganisms. This session will examine advances in different types of ocean MFCs, the phylogenetic diversity of microorganisms that can contribute to electron transfer to or from an electrode, approaches to utilizing power produced at less than 0.8V, and new power-thrifty ocean sensors and communication devices that may be able to broaden ocean observing by taking advantage of MFCs serving as long-term power sources.

Organizers: Chunzai Wang, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Chunzai.Wang@noaa.gov; Gabriel A. Vecchi, NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Gabriel.A.Vecchi@noaa.gov

Variability in the global oceans greatly influences (and is influenced by) the climate variability over the Americas. Our understanding of this influence has been greatly advanced by work performed in many previous and present programs, such as Pan American Climate Studies (PACS), national/ international CLIVAR programs, and Climate Prediction Program for the Americas (CPPA). This special session offers a forum for discussion of recent progress in our knowledge and understanding of climate variability over the Americas including observational, numerical modeling, and theoretical studies. The main session focus is on climate variations associated with ocean-atmosphere-land interactions, particularly on the climate impacts of the Pacific ENSO, tropical Atlantic variability, Western Hemisphere warm pool, North Atlantic oscillation, Indian Ocean variability, and ocean meridional overturning circulation.

Organizers: Doug Alsdorf, Ohio State University, alsdorf.1@osu.edu; Lee-Lueng Fu, JPL, llf@pacific.jpl.nasa.gov; Eric Lindstrom, NASA HQ, eric.j.lindstrom@nasa.gov; Ernesto Rodriguez, JPL, ernesto.rodriguez@jpl.nasa.gov

Radar altimetry has revolutionized oceanography by providing global measurements of ocean surface topography. These same spaceborne measurements are also now routinely used to measure water elevations of large lakes and rivers. We envision usage of the wide-swath technique to enhance the coverage and resolution of radar altimetry for studying oceanic and terrestrial hydrological processes at spatial scales previously unexplored. This session invites presentations that use spaceborne measurements of water surface elevations toward better understandings of a variety of processes pushing the limit of current observations such as oceanic eddies, fronts, boundary currents, coastal upwelling, hurricanes, terrestrial water storage changes, river discharge, estuary processes, etc. Model based assessments of these processes, particularly those that incorporate the spaceborne measurements, are very much encouraged. This session includes radar altimetry, as well as any other spaceborne measurement of water surfaces (e.g., SRTM, interferometric SAR, etc.). Through this session, we further build the joint community of physical oceanography and terrestrial hydrology with a special emphasis on wide-swath altimetry. Thus, we also invite presentations that highlight possibilities of future technologies for measuring water surfaces.

Organizers: Richard A. Feely, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory/NOAA, Richard.A.Feely@noaa.gov; Lynne Talley, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Ltalley@ucsd.edu; Rik Wanninkhof, Alantic Oceanographic and Meterorological Laboratory, Rik.Wanninkhof@noaa.gov

The U.S. CLIVAR/CO2 Repeat Hydrography Program, begun in 2003, along with similar efforts in many other countries, which occur against the background of the successful completion of the WOCE/JGOFS global surveys in the 1990s, now permits scientists to examine decadal time-scale climate-related variations in the ocean physics, chemistry, and biology in unprecedented detail. One of the major challenges for analyses of these oceanic data is to distinguish between natural variability and long-term trends due to anthropogenic changes. This session invites contributions that approach such variations and changes in multiple ways, including but not limited to, physical, biological, biogeochemical, and carbon cycle perspectives. We encourage submission of abstracts that use of a broad palette of tools, i.e. including observational and modeling approaches. Particular emphasis will be placed on abstracts that address ocean interior changes from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Organizers: Michael Max, MDS Research, mmax@mdswater.com; Arthur Johnson, Hydrate Energy International, Inc., artjohnson51@hotmail.com; Warren Wood, Naval Research Laboratory, wwood@nrlssc.navy.mil

Recent drilling results on the Cascadia margin of North America and elsewhere confirm that high concentrations natural gas hydrate (NGH) are confined to porous and permeable strata rather than being solely associated with proximity to the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. This conforms to economic geological models for NGH in strata-bound, high-grade mineral deposits, whose development is primarily a function of crystallization processes acting in percolating mineralizing solutions saturated with dissolved natural gas. Although there are other types of NGH deposits, strata-bound high-grade deposits are the most likely to be exploited economically and are thus is important to understand in detail. This session invites submissions to bring together earth scientists with experience in the field of oceanic NGH and assess the genesis of concentrated NGH deposits by applying hydrogeological system analysis.

Organizers: Janet Sprintall, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, jsprintall@ucsd.edu; Ed Dever, Oregon State University, edever@coas.oregonstate.edu

Organizers: Christophe Rabouille, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement, France, rabouill@lsce.cnrs-gif.fr; Brent MacKee, North Carolina University, USA, bmckee@ncu.edu; Minhan Dai, Xiamen University, China, mdai@xmu.edu.cn

Material fluxes from rivers have a profound impact on the biogeochemistry of coastal seas and they represent an important component of global biogeochemical cycles. This is particularly true for world major river systems, whose dominant role may extend into the ocean margin. Our understanding of major river systems remains, however, incomplete due to the size, diversity and the temporally and spatially variable nature of these systems. Our knowledge of the sources and sinks of bio-relevant materials is inadequate, as is our understanding of rates of production, transport, transformation, and storage among these sources and sinks. Even less understood are the complex interactions between physical, biological and chemical processes within major river-shelf systems. As a consequence, the response of River-dominated Ocean Margins to climate change is largely unknown. In this session, we encourage abstracts that study the functioning of the river-sea interaction for bio-relevant elements (e.g., C, N, P, micronutrients). While we encourage a "whole system" approach that recognizes the complex feedbacks between sub-systems (e.g., lowlands, floodplains, deltas, margin plumes and benthic environments), we welcome papers emphasizing individual processes, sub-systems, and models. Climate change impact on river-shelf systems from polar, temperate to tropical systems will also be favourably considered.

Organizers: Samar Khatiwala, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, spk@ldeo.columbia.edu; Wilbert Weijer, Los Alamos National Laboratory, wilbert@lanl.gov

Recent advances in computational and applied mathematics have led to the introduction of implicit and adjoint techniques to the field of oceanography. These numerical methods allow scientists to address problems not easily amenable to conventional time-stepping techniques, and have thus opened up new avenues of research. Applications include: computationally efficient ocean general circulation models for paleoclimate studies; bifurcation and (linear and generalized) stability analysis of the thermohaline circulation; data assimilation; parameter sensitivity analysis and optimization of ocean biogeochemical models. The emerging availability of these new computational tools and methods are likely to lead to a deeper understanding of ocean dynamics and biogeochemical cycles. For this session, we invite contributions that highlight the application of implicit and adjoint methods in any area of oceanography.

Organizers: Michael Field, US Geological Survey, mfield@usgs.gov; Matthew Larsen, US Geological Survey, mclarsen@usgs.gov; Jonathan Stock, US Geological Survey, jstock@usgs.gov

Accelerating landscape changes in tropical watersheds are supplying increasing amounts of fine sediment to nearshore ecosystems. Agriculture, feral grazing, fires, and urbanization are altering the ecology, hydrology, geomorphology of tropical watersheds, resulting in drastic changes in the character, transport processes and volume of sediment delivered to coastal reef and nearshore environments. It is well accepted that reefs and other nearshore ecosystems in the US and globally are declining from a number of poorly understood impacts, and that sedimentation and nutrification are major contributors to that decline. Addressing these threats requires a coupled understanding of watershed and nearshore processes, including transport pathways through hillslopes and channels, the fate of sediment and nutrients in the nearshore, and ecosystem responses (e.g., coral reef or mangrove ecological response to sediment loading). This session will focus on new advancements in understanding the causes, sources, and transport of sediment, pollutants and nutrients from altered tropical coastal watersheds and their fate and impact on adjacent tropical coastal ecosystems. Contributions of case studies, development of new technologies, and application of models that provide improved understanding of the linkages between watershed change and tropical coastal ecosystem health are especially encouraged from ecologist, hydrologists, geomorphologists, and coastal marine scientists.

Organizers: David Thomas, University of Wales-Bangor, d.thomas@bangor.ac.uk; Kevin Arrigo, Stanford University, arrigo@stanford.edu

In recent years there has been an emphasis on studying biogeochemical processes in the Arctic and Southern Oceans. To date there has been little opportunity to compare and contrast the findings from these quite different systems, which is a major aim of this session. It is anticipated that processes determining major biogeochemical dynamics in both the Arctic and Southern Ocean will be presented, including processes associated with sea ice, the water column, sediments, particle flux and land-ocean interactions. The scope is a broad one on purpose and it is anticipated that by covering all aspects of the systems pertinent to large-scale biogeochemical cycles within a single session a wider appreciation for the similarities, differences and gaps in our knowledge of high latitude biogeochemistry will be evident. The session should highlight the true multidisciplinary nature of biogeochemistry and be a session where biologists, chemists, geochemists, geologists, modellers present their work. It is anticipated that this should be a forum where both pertinent fine scale processes can be discussed alongside larger-scale ocean wide processes.

Organizers: Dongliang Yuan, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, d_yuan2000@yahoo.com; Fan Wang, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, fwang@ms.qdio.ac.cn; Dongxiao Wang, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, CAS, dxwang@scsio.ac.cn

The marginal seas of China, including the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Yellow Sea, are subject to strong influence of the western boundary current of the north Pacific subtropical gyre—the Kuroshio. The water exchange between the Kuroshio and marginal seas is of great importance to the environment of these marginal seas. In this session, scientific results that focus on ocean circulation east of Luzon, in the vicinity of the Luzon Strait, and over the continental shelf and slope in the East China Sea are presented to encourage discussions on subjects like the South China Sea throughflow, mesoscale circulation in the Luzon Strait area, shelf circulation related to the South China Sea Warm Current, the Taiwan Warm Current, the Tsushima Warm Current, and the Yellow Sea Warm Current, cross-shelf sediment transport, and the bio-geochemical impact of the circulation, etc.

Organizers: Ric Williams, Liverpool University, UK, ric@liv.ac.uk; Susan Lozier, Duke University, USA, s.lozier@duke.edu; Elaine McDonagh, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, UK, elm@mercury.noc.soton.ac.uk; Andy Watson, University of East Anglia, UK, a.j.watson@uea.ac.uk

Even though the North Atlantic is relatively well observed, there are major problems in our knowledge of its present state and how it might evolve. At present, it is unclear as to the extent of subtropical warming and how heat content is changing, how phytoplankton growth and nutrient budgets are sustained over the subtropics, and how the ocean uptakes and transports carbon dioxide. This session aims to discuss these related questions of heat, nutrient and carbon transfer in a co-ordinated manner for the subtropical North Atlantic. Contributions are welcomed which address any of these themes and controlling processes through a variety of approaches including synthesis studies, large-scale observational surveys, time-series studies, and process-orientated modelling experiments.

Organizers: Joe Ackerman, University of Guelph, ackerman@uoguelph.ca; Pete Jumars, Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, jumars@maine.edu

This session emphasizes how the inertial and dissipation scales of turbulent flows interact with aquatic organisms in diverse aquatic environments of upper mixed layers and bottom boundary layers of rivers, lakes, estuaries and oceans. The intent is to compare and contrast responses and adaptations to turbulent flows in the fixed reference frame of sessile, benthic organisms and the Lagrangian frames of drifting and swimming organisms of upper mixed and bottom boundary layers, emphasizing interactions with sensory, locomotor, particle-capture and nutrient-uptake systems and processes from feeding and predator avoidance to fertilization and dispersal.

Organizers: Pedro Verdugo, University of Washington, verdugo@u.washington.edu; Peter H. Santschi, Texas A & M University, santschi@tamug.edu

This session will focus on the complex interaction among biological, physical and chemical processes that result in the formation and cycling of gels in fresh and ocean water. Aquatic gels represent one of the most critical, complex and yet least explored subjects in marine sciences. Regardless of their source, size, or composition, gels resulting from decomposed tissue of marine biota or from exopolymer released by bacteria or from phytoplankton, play critical roles in the water. Their unique ion exchange properties allow them to concentrate trace metals, to form organo-crystanline complexes or to nucleate hydrates among other properties. However, their most important feature is that aquatic gels can be rich source of microbial nutrient. Although the scale of the role of gels in marine carbon cycling had not been fully appreciated the discovery that moieties found in the DOM pool can spontaneously self assemble forming microscopic gels has far reaching implications. This process follows a second order kinetics, it is reversible, and at equilibrium it exhibits a thermodynamic yield of about 10% -20% (Chin et al, Nature 1998; Kerner et al, Nature 2003). Considering the magnitude of the DOM stock (~7 x 1017 gC), this DOM-derived gel pool could reach up to up ~7 x 1016 gC. Within the scales of “size-related bioreactivity” gels could represents one of the richest and most readily accessible pools of bioreactive carbon and the largest volume of distributed “patchiness” available for microbial degradation. These findings introduce a fundamental change in the way that oceanographers think about processes linking the microbial loop and biological pump to the rest of the biosphere and the geosphere (Wells, Nature 1998). The main goal of this session will be to attract an interdisciplinary panel of investigators from geochemistry, polymer physics, and marine microbiology to present their work and discuss the multiple implications of this emerging field, particularly in regard to global carbon cycling.

Organizers: Robin Muench, Earth & Space Research, rmuench@esr.org; Louis St. Laurent, Florida State University, stlaurent@ocean.fsu.edu; Mary Louise Timmermans, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, mtimmermans@whoi.edu; Jody Klymak, University of Victoria, jklymak@uvic.ca

This session responds to increasing community recognition of the need to better understand and quantify ocean turbulence and mixing in terms of their dynamics, energetics and parameterization in numerical models. Turbulent mixing impacts ocean processes ranging over scales from the global meridional overturning circulation to feeding behaviour in planktonic ecosystems. The session is intended to emphasize, but not to be limited to, diapycnal as compared to lateral mixing. Specific topics of interest include, but are not limited to: generation of turbulence through internal wave interactions; conversion of tidal energy to turbulence; turbulence generation through current-topographic interactions; double-diffusive and other small-scale processes associated with the seawater equation of state; geographical distribution of turbulence including mixing "hot spots"; parameterization of turbulent processes in numerical models; turbulent interactions with marine ecosystems; and instrumental issues. Results are anticipated from analytical, numerical, laboratory and field research.

Organizers: Deidre M. Gibson, Hampton University, deidre.gibson@hamptonu.edu; Kam Tang, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, kamtang@vims.edu

Why are there so few Underrepresented Minority (UM) students pursuing careers in marine science? What have we been doing to change the situation, and what more can be done? Between 1995 and 2005, less than 10% of all terminal degrees in marine science have been granted to UM students. As clearly stated in the report Land of Plenty: Diversity as America’s Competitive Edge in Science, Engineering and Technology, until our scientific workplace reflects the diversity of the people, the US’s ability to compete in the global marketplace is threatened. Therefore, it is not only a moral obligation, but also a necessity to enhance student diversity and nurture talents among UM populations in order to secure the nation’s leadership in science and engineering enterprises in the 21st century. History does not change course overnight; likewise, enhancing student diversity in marine science is a great challenge that requires enormous resources, efforts and commitment from our society. Over the years funding agencies, scientists and educators have been working together to create many innovative projects and programs to increase enrollment and retention of UM students of all levels in marine science. This session will bring these people together to share their experience and insights, their struggles and triumphs. We particularly encourage UM students to come share their experience. Presenters are invited to a round-table discussion after the session. Student presenters may contact session chairs for financial aid information.

Organizers: John Reinfelder, Rutgers University, reinfelder@envsci.rutgers.edu; Senjie Lin, University of Connecticut, senjie.lin@uconn.edu

Organizers: Philip W. Boyd, University of Otago, Pboyd@chemistry.otago.ac.nz; Mark L. Wells, University of Maine, mlwells@maine.edu; Peter Sedwick, Bermuda Biological Station for Research, psedwick@bbsr.edu; Benjamin S. Twining, University of South Carolina, twining@mail.chem.sc.edu

It now is evident that trace metals have entered the biogeochemical mainstream through their pivotal role in the cycling of carbon, silicon, nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus. The field of trace metal biogeochemistry is rapidly evolving, in part through international programs like GEOTRACES, SOLAS and CLIVAR, but a series of major challenges limit our abilities to incorporate trace metals into models of major element cycling. Trace metal supply to the upper ocean from both underlying waters and atmospheric aerosol transport is poorly constrained, as is trace metal incorporation into biological processes and their export to the deep ocean. An earth system approach is required to fully comprehend the elemental cycles of trace metals, and the increasing use of stable isotopic tracers likely will be an important stepping stone to meet this challenge. These and other trace metal studies are needed to underpin modeling efforts aimed at understanding how ocean biogeochemistry impacts global climate in both the past and into the future. We encourage submissions from the cellular to the ocean basin scale that address these critical issues.

Organizers: Carl Mears, Remote Sensing Systems, mears@remss.com; Richard W. Reynolds, National Climate Data Center, Richard.W.Reynolds@noaa.gov

Continuous, space-based measurements of a number of oceanic variables have been ongoing for over two decades. These variables include both basic variable measurements, such as sea surface temperature, surface wind speed, and total column water vapor, as well as estimates of other parameters that can be derived from basic measurements, such as fluxes of water vapor and surface heat, carbon dioxide, trace gases or momentum. The satellite record is now long enough that these measurements can be examined for evidence of climate change. The global coverage of satellite measurements enables large-scale analysis techniques such as trends in global and basin-wide scale averages, global-scale changes in spatial structure, as well as comparison of the results with climate models. This session welcomes papers on the construction and assessment of climate quality satellite-based datasets, climate change analyses based on satellite data, and comparison of results with model predictions and hindcasts.

Organizers: Richard A. Jahnke, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, rick.jahnke@skio.usg.edu; Oscar Schofield, Rutgers University, oscar@marine.rutgers.edu

Continental shelves play a major role in global marine biogeochemical cycles, support most commercial living marine resources and are the interface zone between the human-inhabited terrestrial and open ocean environments. Because of the proximity of the land and seafloor interfaces, numerous biological and transport processes are either unique to or intensified within shelf ecosystems, differentiating them from their oceanic counterparts. The mix of major forcing factors such as winds, tidal magnitude and frequency, and buoyancy input in conjunction with geomorphology determine the local ecosystem characteristics and dynamics. Amongst the considerable challenges that limit advancing understanding of this complex system is the interdependence of processes and the extreme range of temporal and spatial scales of variability. Recent technological advances and focused interdisciplinary studies, however, have made considerable progress. This session will provide a framework for the synthesis and interdisciplinary integration of results of recent coastal ocean studies. We especially encourage papers that 1) synthesize results across diverse environmental settings, 2) integrate disparate disciplinary observations, 3) synthesize remotely-sensed and in situ observations, 4) report results employing innovative coastal observing technologies, and 5) combine observations and modeling.

Organizers: Michael W. Lomas, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Michael.Lomas@bios.edu; Margaret R. Mulholland, Old Dominion University, mmulholl@odu.edu; Deborah A. Bronk, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, bronk@vims.edu

Environmental genomic analyses have revolutionized our understanding of phylogenetic and metabolic diversity in microbial communities. Yet, linkages between microbial diversity and particular processes mediating aquatic biogeochemical cycles remain entangled because there are complex interactions and feedbacks among organisms and between organisms and their environment. Knowing which groups of organisms are responsible for different fractions of carbon and nitrogen flow has important implications, both in determining the fate of these elements and for parameterizing fluxes in models. Combinations of developing technologies (e.g., high speed cell sorting, stable isotope probing, quantitative PCR) and more established techniques (e.g., radioactive and stable isotopic tracers) now allow researchers to directly explore the role of microbial diversity and individual microbial groups in biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrients. For example, recent evidence suggests that phototrophic organisms, despite pre-conceived notions, readily compete with heterotrophic bacteria for the uptake of dissolved organic nutrients. The goal of this session is to bring together researchers who are employing new techniques and methodologies to explore nutrient interactions between microbial populations, and the implications for these interactions on global biogeochemical cycles.

Organizers: Russell L. Cuhel, UWM Center for Great Lakes Studies, rcuhel@uwm.edu; Carmen Aguilar, UWM Center for Great Lakes, aguilar@uwm.edu

Undergraduate research has become a reliable component of many laboratory projects, and respect for its potential quality has risen dramatically during the last 10 years. Scientists now regularly support undergraduates to present material at national society meetings. Undergraduate attendance at interdisciplinary meetings improves scientific vision and personal networking for the students, and allows scientist-mentors to view students at a far more informal yet detailed level when searching for graduate students or technicians. Quality undergraduate work reflects positively on the mentor and contributes awareness of the mentor's broader impacts on scientific communities. This poster session is specifically for undergraduates to present their research.

Organizers: Jack Puleo, University of Delaware, jpuleo@coastal.udel.edu; Q. Jim Chen, Louisiana State University, qchen@lsu.edu

Nearshore processes research over the last several decades has often focused on sandy beaches where many of the signals from waves and wave processes are large and visually obvious. There has been more recent emphasis to more thoroughly investigate other coastal regimes including those with heterogeneous sediments features as well as tidal flats where waves are not always the dominant forcing mechanism. Thus, in this session we invite abstracts that focus on the dynamics of waves, tides, currents, turbulence, and sediment transport from the beach face to the shelf break along sandy, muddy or mixed sedimentary coastlines. However, abstracts covering all aspects of nearshore processes research are welcome. Topics of particular interest include: 1) sediment transport processes and bottom boundary layer dynamics, 2) waves and wave-driven circulation, 3) hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes in tidal flat environments, 3) coastal morphodynamics, 4) swash zone processes, and 5) nearshore turbulence. Abstracts of an observational, theoretical, or modeling nature are welcome.

Organizers: Percy Donaghay, University of Rhode Island, donaghay@gso.uri.edu; Tim Cowles, Oregon State University, tjc@coas.oregonstate.edu; Van Holliday, University of Rhode Island, van.holliday@gso.uri.edu; Margaret McManus, University of Hawaii, mamc@hawaii.edu

Planktonic layers are a common feature in a variety of coastal and offshore environments. They can also occur in lakes. These layers can be persistent in time and extensive in space, with vertical scales ranging from several centimeters to a few meters and horizontal scales of kilometers. Such layers, which affect optical and acoustical properties of the water column, are often associated with gradients in temperature, salinity, oxygen, and nutrients and may be loci of intensified biogeochemical processes and ecological interaction in these aquatic environments. The distribution and ecological significance of these features is just beginning to be examined. This session intends to provide a state-of-the-art perspective on the formation and maintenance of thin layers and similar structures and the ecological processes occurring within and around them. Papers from field, laboratory, and modeling studies are invited; those with an interdisciplinary focus are particularly encouraged.

Organizers: Joan-Albert Sanchez-Cabeza, International Atomic Energy Agency, j.a.sanchez@iaea.org; Ellen Druffel, University of California,, edruffel@uci.edu

Increased awareness of environmental values has led policymakers worldwide to develop and implement national and international legislation aimed to protect ecosystems. However, it is in most cases unknown or uncertain if the implemented actions have had positive impacts in the environment. In most developing countries, anthropogenic impacts are likely increasing. Coastal zones, the natural interface between watersheds and the oceans, are especially valuable ecosystems and are usually under intense anthropogenic pressure. Many pollutants accumulate in these sensitive ecosystems. In this session we wish to adopt a wide definition of pollutants, including all substances present in the environment that result from human activity, including metals, organic pollutants, nutrients, anthropogenic radionuclides, sediments and others. Dated environmental archives such as sediments, corals and shells, are used to reveal the history of anthropogenic impacts in coastal ecosystems. Analysis of these records reveals past changes produced in these ecosystems and show overall pollution trends. The objectives of this session are to: • Describe and revise methodologies used in the retrospective assessment of coastal ecosystems through dated environmental archives such as sediments, corals and shells. • Provide critical reviews of published data. • Present new research on the reconstruction of the history of pollution in coastal ecosystems. • Discuss the role of geochemistry in the interpretation of coastal records of pollution. • Propose new future research needs, such as internationally coordinated projects and databases.

Organizers: Ann Bucklin, University of Connecticut, ann.bucklin@uconn.edu; Shuhei Nishida, University of Tokyo, Japan, nishida@ori.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Laurence P. Madin, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, lmadin@whoi.edu; Sigrid Schiel, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Ocean Research, sschiel@awi-bremerhaven.de

Challenges in the assessment, analysis, and prediction of holozooplankton biodiversity include the huge spatial dimensions of the global ocean, short temporal scales of environmental variability, and fragmentation of the taxonomic community. Until recently, some pelagic holozooplankton taxa (e.g., foraminifers, copepods, euphausiids, and chaetognaths) were thought to be well known taxonomically, but the advent of molecular genetics has altered this perspective. Morphologically cryptic, but genetically distinctive, species of zooplankton are being found with increasing frequency, especially among species with widespread and/or disjoint oceanic ranges and those occupying coastal environments. Significant numbers of species remain to be discovered, especially for taxa and environments that have never been properly sampled, including fragile gelatinous forms, those living in unique and isolated habitats (e.g., the deep sea and waters surrounding hydrothermal vents and seeps), and those associated with biodiversity hotspots. A variety of models now enable prediction of species distribution and diversity based on biological and environmental data in global data and information management systems. Complete top-to-bottom and pole-to-pole assessment may never be possible, but new observational, analytical, and predictive approaches are yielding a clearer view of global patterns of species diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine holozooplankton.

Organizers: Changming Dong, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, cdong@atmos.ucla.edu; Christian Mohn, Martin Ryan Institute, Christian.mohn@nuigalway.ie; Pablo Sangrà, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, psangra@dfis.ulpgc.es

Recent years have witnessed the increasing interests in understanding the oceanic currents past sea mountains and islands. Though there are significant differences between the flows past a sea mountain and an island given the wind field change and the lateral boundary presented around an island, there are similarities in flows past a sea mountain and an island when a sea mountain can be considered as a sunken island when a geostrophic constraint is applied. Eddy formation and evolution in the lee side of a sea mountain or an island have significant input into biological products and other environmental issues. Recent advances in remote sensing technologies help clarify the role of sea mountains and islands as generators of the mesoscale and sub-mesoscale variability in the ocean. Resolving sub-mesoscale eddy activities is a challenge to numerical modeling. Contributions to this session are welcome that deal with all aspects of the topic, for instance: physical mechanism of formation and development, eddy variability, flow instabilities involved, biological, geochemical and sediment transport processes relevant to sea mountain and islands. Both modeling and observational studies are encouraged, and studies of both the open ocean and coastal seas are encouraged.

Organizers: Alexey Fedorov, Yale University, alexey.fedorov@yale.edu; Jaclyn Brown, Yale University, Jaclyn.Brown@yale.edu

Several topics related to El Nino will be discussed: El Nino in the past, including a permanent El Nino in the early Pliocene and the state of the tropics and interannual variability during the LGM and the mid-Holocene; stability of the coupled ocean-atmosphere system in the tropics and the role of the atmospheric noise; limits on El Nino predictability; conceptual models of ENSO versus observations; decadal modulations of El Nino and changes in teleconnections to mid and high latitudes; and the effect of global warming on ENSO. Relevant theoretical, modeling and observational studies are welcome.

Organizers: George L. Hunt, Jr., University of Washington, geohunt2@u.washington.edu; Ken Drinkwater, Institute of Marine Research, ken.drinkwater@imr.no; Jeff Napp, NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science center, Jeff.Napp@noaa.gov; Erica Head, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, HeadE@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Some of the world’s most important fisheries are in the sub-polar seas. These regions are experiencing profound changes under present warming and are predicted to be even more highly impacted under future global change. To understand how warming and associated changes, such as the loss of seasonal sea ice cover, do and will affect marine ecosystems in these areas, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms that link the physical characteristics of the ocean and the biological systems. One important goal is to understand how fisheries will be affected and how fisheries themselves may influence ecosystem structure under environmental change. This session will focus on evidence of how the present warming is altering the structure and function of ecosystems in the sub-polar seas and on the mechanisms whereby climate change is likely to affect them. We welcome contributions from all sub-polar regions. Papers comparing multiple geographic regions, those linking multiple trophic levels or biology and physics are especially relevant. All taxonomic groups from bacteria to whales are potentially of interest.

Organizers: JoLynn Carroll, Akvaplan-niva, Polar Environmental Center, jc@akvaplan.niva.no; Professor Dag Hessen, University of Oslo, d.o.hessen@bio.uio.no

Climate models predict significant warming in the 21st century, particularly in the north, which will impact the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as alter land-ocean interactions. Global temperature increases will most likely lead to decreased snow cover and decreased albedo with increased heat absorption and permafrost thawing; changes that are expected to lead not only to increased oxidation of tundra peatlands and soils, but also increased export of organic carbon and associated elements. This session invites presentations on recent advancements in our understanding of northern watersheds including biogeochemical cycling processes, supplies of essential nutrients, contaminants, DOC and other reactive elements, and the role of these processes in moderating coastal ocean productivity.

Over the past years, many global and basin-scale ocean syntheses have been performed, both for the recent decade and paralleling the atmospheric re-analyses over the last 50 years. Results are used now for a variety of applications, including detection of ocean changes on decadal periods, investigations of sea level changes, climate and ocean predictions, detection and attribution of climate changes, and monitoring of ocean conditions that are important for other applications such as marine ecosystems. Applied techniques, used to combine an ocean model with available ocean observations, range from simple nudging to sophisticated and computationally demanding four-dimensional variational data assimilation approaches, the latter providing dynamically self-consistent estimates of the time-varying ocean circulation and its interaction with other components of the climate system. While most progress to date has been focused on the physical state of the changing ocean, such as ocean temperature, sea surface height, and ocean currents, advances in ocean modeling and assimilation, increased availability of more types of observations (e.g. Argo, current meters, tracers), and a broader multi-disciplinary understanding of the marine environment, has lead to the future promise of a rich set of interdisciplinary ocean analysis products. CLIVAR, in association with GODAE, has been encouraging the development of climate-quality ocean syntheses, including necessary assimilation tools, climate quality data sets, and expertise to perform and evaluate ocean syntheses on basin and global scale that span the recent decades (see http:// www.clivar.org/organization/gsop/synthesis/synthesis.php) This session welcomes contributions that evaluate these products, especially in the context of climate research as well as in describing the evolution of the global marine environment. The interaction of the cryosphere with the ocean is another pressing issue that needs discussion. Future plans for ocean only and coupled ocean-ice-atmosphere syntheses/ analyses, initialization of coupled climate models through ocean syntheses and potential future interdisciplinary uses of global ocean syntheses should be addressed as well.

Organizers: Markus Huettel, Florida State University, mhuettel@ocean.fsu.edu; Joel Kostka, Florida State University, jkostka@ocean.fsu.edu; Alex Rao, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, arao@whoi.edu; Jan Scholten, Marine Environment Laboratories (MEL-IAEA), J.Scholten@iaea.org

Permeable sediments are abundant along depositional coasts and on the continental shelves, and they form aquifers connecting fresh and marine environments. In such sediments, pore water flows provide a rapid transport mechanism for solutes and particles. Pore water flows are also observed in deep sea environments, e.g. at sites of hydrothermal activity and cold seeps. Research within the last decade has demonstrated the significance of submarine groundwater discharge in the continental shelf, the impact of tides, waves and bottom currents on transport and reaction in sandy coastal sediments and the effect of slow water flows through deep sediment layers fueling the subsurface biosphere. An emerging database indicates that life is abundant, diverse, and highly active in permeable sediments. This interdisciplinary session integrates studies addressing processes in permeable sediments in fresh, brackish and marine environments, from shallow to deep, operating on time scales from seconds to decades. It will include studies of pore water transport and geochemical reactions, methods development and modeling, and highlight the characteristics and effects of biological communities living in permeable sediments.

Organizers: Curtis Deutsch, UCLA, cdeutsch@atmos.ucla.edu; Katsumi Matsumoto, University of Minnesota, katsumi@umn.edu

As observations of the ocean carbon cycle proliferate, numerical models of the ocean carbon cycle provide an important tool for synthesizing, testing, and clarifying our understanding of fundamental processes. This session invites presentations of recent work that advances the mechanistic representation of carbon cycling in regional and global ocean models from seasonal and interannual through geological time scales. Of particular interest are studies that explore the sensitivity of and feedbacks between carbon cycling, nutrient dynamics, and climate, and that use observations to both evaluate and improve model skill. Research emphasizing ecosystem functioning, respiration and remineralization in the water column, and the fate of benthic carbon and carbonate deposition are welcomed.

Organizers: Scott C. Hagen, University of Central Florida, shagen@mail.ucf.edu; Hans C. Graber, The Rosenstiel School - University of Miami, hans@miami.edu

The estimation of tropical-cyclone-generated waves and surge in coastal waters and the nearshore zone is of critical importance to the timely evacuation of coastal residents, and the assessment of damage to coastal property in the event that a storm makes landfall. The model predictions of waves and storm surge in coastal waters are functionally related and both depend on the reliability of the atmospheric forcing. While there are no perfect predictions of the time and location of landfall and the intensity and size of the storm, this session will focus on improved capabilities to forecast wind strength, storm-wave height, and storm tide levels that are expected along a given tropical storm/hurricane track.

Organizers: Meibing Jin, University of Alaska Fairbanks, mjin@iarc.uaf.edu; Clara Deal, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Deal@iarc.uaf.edu; Sang H. Lee, Korea Polar Research Institute, sanglee@kopri.re.kr

Polar and sub-polar marine ecosystems are experiencing rapid changes under the polar-amplified global climate warming. A changing sea ice cover can dramatically alter light availability, water temperature and salinity, water column stability, circulation, timing and magnitude of primary and second production, carbon, DMS and nutrients cycling etc. It is essential to understand how resilient the marine ecosystem is to the changing sea ice cover, and what is the threshold of these changes that can cause a major marine ecosystem shift. All topics addressing the above mentioned issues are encouraged to present in this session. The session will focus on observations and modeling studies of the marine ecosystem in seasonally and perennially ice-covered areas. Interested topics cover researches on primary and second production, carbon, DMS and nutrients cycles in sea ice, in water column under sea ice and after ice retreat. Any study of the broad influences of changing sea ice-associated ecosystem on fisheries, marine mammal and human dimensions is also welcome.

Organizers: Gustav Paffenhofer, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, gustav.paffenhofer@skio.usg.edu; Don Deibel, Memorial University of Newfoundland, ddeibel@mun.ca

Although the copepod nauplius is the most abundant multicellular animal on earth (Fryer 1987), Björnberg's (1986) title “The rejected nauplius” indicates that these abundant organisms have rarely been included in marine studies. Copepod nauplii occur abundantly in every part of our oceans, are found in far larger numbers than are copepodid and adult stages, and a species’ persistence depends on their survival. Nauplii’s behavior/performance have been rarely studied in the laboratory, and not in situ. Recent papers have shown that interest in early juvenile stages of planktonic copepods is increasing. This session builds on this momentum by focusing on factors that may control the behavior and survival of early copepod juveniles. A prime question concerns factors controlling the survival and abundance of nauplii and copepodites in nature: To what degree is abundance regulated by predation vs. food limitation? Recent results have revealed that late-stage nauplii metabolize nearly 30 % of their body weight daily, requiring high feeding rates and/or food abundances to grow. What adaptations have been made by juvenile copepods to increase survival rates? For example, do they accumulate energy reserves or possess anti-predation characteristics? These and other questions should lead to interesting talks, dynamic discussions, and new research initiatives.

Organizers: Joachim Dengg, Institut f. Meereswissenschaften, jdengg@ifm-geomar.de; Teresa Greely, College of Marine Science, greely@marine.usf.edu

As the awareness for the need for outreach programs grows within the scientific community, many researchers find themselves on unfamiliar terrain when faced with the task to develop appropriate concepts. Yet, many successful activities already exist that can be used as case studies. Particularly in ocean sciences, the innate fascination of the oceans offers the chance to combine outreach and science education, thus increasing scientific literacy and environmental awareness in the next generation of researchers and decision makers. By working with schools, the impact of this outreach effort is multiplied to a larger audience of teachers and parents. This session is aimed at researchers looking for ways to engage in outreach, as well as educators who want to share their approaches of communicating ocean sciences to students. Contributions are invited that demonstrate successful outreach projects in ocean sciences, in particular activities that address or interact with schools. Programs by research institutions are just as welcome as outreach activities associated with particular research projects, science museums, school labs or indeed schools.

Organizers: Marcianna P. Delaney, Univ. MD, Baltimore County & NASA GSFC, marci.delaney@gsfc.nasa.gov; John P. Leck, NASA GSFC Office of Education, John.P.Leck.1@gsfc.nasa.gov

As members of the scientific and education community, the pressure to produce K-12 educational materials with current scientific content increases year to year. Furthermore, the content we do produce must stay within the boundaries of state and national standards, otherwise, products will be ignored by teachers who must meet the demands of the No Child Left Behind Act. The scientific and educational community is often mandated to create new material on a regular basis and ensure that material is utilized in the classrooms. Though we are successful in production, often classroom examination is ignored and we are unaware of whether the science content we do provide is being implemented and adapted to a school’s curriculum on a regular basis. Nor have we regularly assessed students’ retention of the information taught within these new programs. This session encourages presentations by educators and scientists who have created curriculum based upon current data or missions/objectives in the marine, limnologic, or oceanographic sciences, and monitored its sustainability in a classroom. We further encourage presentations on innovative techniques for teacher professional development as a mechanism to implement new curricular products.

Organizers: Charles Fisher, Pennsylvania State University, cfisher@psu.edu; Harry Roberts, Louisiana State University, hrober3@lsu.edu; James Brooks, TDI Brooks International, Drjmbrooks@aol.com; Gregory Boland, Mineral Management Service, Gregory.Boland@mms.gov

Extensive salt evaporites, shales rich in hydrocarbon deposits and active sedimentary processes make the southern continental slope of the USA in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) one of the most geologically complex and active continental margins in the world. Chemosynthetic communities associated with hydrocarbon seeps were first discovered on the upper Louisiana Slope and numerous research expeditions and cross-disciplinary research projects over the past 2 decades have resulted in well-supported models of the geological, geochemical, and biological processes that structure these intermediate depth communities. In more recent years hydrocarbon seep communities have been discovered in other parts of the world, and at greater depths in the GoM. These include communities associated with gas and/or oil seepage, brine seepage, methane hydrates, authigenic carbonate deposits, and asphalt flows. An update on the status of this research is especially timely as energy exploration and production activities are proceeding rapidly into deeper waters. This session will highlight recent interdisciplinary research addressing the relations among geochemistry, animal communities, microbiology, and geology at deep-sea hydrocarbon seeps, focusing on, but not be limited to findings from sites at depths greater than 1000 meters in the GoM.

Organizers: Dror Angel, University of Haifa, adror@research.haifa.ac.il; John Marra, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, marra@ldeo.columbia.edu

Marine aquaculture (mariculture) encompasses the cultivation of algae, invertebrates and finfish in the coastal zone where it often conflicts with other uses and interests. Finfish rearing involves feeding with nutrient-rich feed and farm effluents may impact local water quality and the benthos if farm sites are not properly selected or if husbandry is not efficient and environmentally-aware. In comparison, cultivation of macroalgae and shellfish results in the removal of naturally occurring dissolved nutrients and plankton/particulate organic matter, respectively, and water column or benthic impacts are generally quite small. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture combines finfish, macroalgae and invertebrates to recycle waste products within the farm system and may reduce some of the environmental impacts. Although the cultivation of aquatic and marine organisms has been practiced for thousands of years, there are many gaps in our understanding of how modern, intensive mariculture affects such issues as environmental assimilative capacity, marine food webs, exotic species, epidemiology, etc. These and related topics will be discussed in this session.

Organizers: Eric Bayler, NOAA, Eric.Bayler@noaa.gov; Robert Miller, Oregon State University, miller@coas.oregonstate.edu; Chris Mooers, University of Miami, cmooers@rsmas.miami.edu; Ruth Preller, Naval Research Laboratory, Ruth.Preller@nrlssc.navy.mil; Roger Samelson, Oregon State University, rsamelson@coas.oregonstate.edu

With the growing development of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), operational ocean observations will enormously expand. The IOOS program, as well as federal agencies, recognize that modeling and associated data assimilation form a core required capability for optimizing the value and benefits of observing system investments. Data assimilation will be an essential component of the associated nowcast and forecast circulation and ecosystem modeling systems, and offers unique opportunities for combining data with models to gain scientific insight. Assimilating ocean data into ocean ecosystem models enhances their forecast/prediction accuracy, and their diagnostic utility in ocean state estimation through hindcasts (i.e., re-analyses), and, in turn, the use of their results in Society’s decisions. Submissions are invited that describe new results on data assimilation methods, circulation and ecosystem modeling, and scientific applications of these methods. Research results leading to new or improved techniques for the assimilation of existing or future observations are sought. Assimilation methodologies and techniques that foster community approaches to challenges are also of interest. Disciplines can range from physical (e.g., waves, currents, the thermohaline structure, and related fields) to biogeochemical (e.g., inherent optical properties, chlorophyll concentration, primary production, nutrient cycling).

Organizers: James W. Murray, University of Washington, jmurray@u.washington.edu; Zachary Johnson, University of Hawaii, zij@hawaii.edu

The Western Tropical Pacific Ocean is a physically, chemically and biologically dynamic area that plays a significant role in the circulation and biogeochemistry of the larger Pacific Ocean. Although there are some on-going efforts, this region has historically been less studied than the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. To begin to fill this gap, several recent oceanographic studies in the Western Tropical Pacific Ocean have produced a wealth of zonal and meridional observations of the physical, chemical and biological properties of this important region. In addition, new modeling studies are providing frameworks for integrating and interpreting these results to provide a comprehensive view of the whole tropical Pacific Ocean. This session will highlight the results from both on-going and more recent studies with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the unique oceanographic features of this globally important region.

Organizers: Juan Carlos Miquel, IAEA - Marine Environment Laboratories, j.c.miquel@iaea.org; Laurent Coppola, Observatoire Oceanologique de Villefranche-sur-Mer, coppola@obs-vlfr.fr

Long-term observation is fundamental to understand natural environmental variability as well as the changes induced by human activities. Although most of the critical biogeochemical and physical processes have strong seasonal and interannual signals, direct temporal examination of most oceanic regions is extremely difficult to carry out. Therefore the goal of open ocean time-series stations (e.g. HOT, BATS, DYFAMED,...) has been to produce long-term datasets of physical, chemical and biological variables in the water column in order to observe the impact of global change on marine ecosystems. These long-term time series data from open ocean stations can be exploited to: 1) detect and describe temporal variability of physical and biogeochemical processes, 2) quantify and interpret changes, and 3) develop a capability to predict future responses of the oceans to oceans to climate forcing. The rapid changes observed over the past two decades have highlighted the relevance of long-term data series acquisition. The data provided by the open ocean time series stations have significantly contributed to our understanding of biogeochemical cycles in the sea. However, some changes in oceanic environment are still unresolved due to the lack of data with sufficient temporal resolution. The session seeks to bring together recent research-based studies on time-series observations in the open oceans, with preferably a significant (but not exclusive) focus on biogeochemical processes in the upper ocean.

Organizers: Ming Li, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, mingli@hpl.umces.edu; Parker MacCready, University of Washington, parker@ocean.washington.edu

Estuaries and river plumes provide an important pathway of nutrients and carbon between the continent and ocean. Due to the complex geometry and inter-dependence of motions at different time and spatial scales, it is challenging to develop predictive hydrodynamic models that can be used to examine circulation dynamics, contaminant transport, water quality and ecosystem productivity in these coastal regions. However, exciting advances have recently been made in understanding estuarine and river plume processes and in developing the state-of-art numerical models. Observations have yielded new insights into circulation dynamics and mixing processes while numerical models have been validated against observational data and shown considerable hindcast capability. It is timely to discuss the recent progress, identify critical gaps in our current understanding and assess the predictive skills of estuarine and shelf models. We are particularly interested in contributions on: • Observational and modeling studies which provide new insights into estuarine and river plume physics such as circulation dynamics and turbulent mixing. • Development of novel numerical methods and physics parameterizations for use in estuaries and shelf seas. • Application and validation of numerical models to estuaries and their adjacent shelves, and evaluation of the predictive skills.

Organizers: JoLynn Carroll, Akvaplan-niva, Polar Environmental Center, jc@akvaplan.niva.no

Organizers: Enrique Curchitser, Rutgers University, enrique@marine.rutgers.edu; Hal Batchelder, Oregon State University, hbatchelder@coas.oregonstate.edu; Eileen E. Hofmann, Old Dominion University, hofmann@ccpo.odu.edu; Cabell Davis, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, cdavis@whoi.edu

Understanding biological-physical interactions controlling marine ecosystem dynamics has been the focus of multidisciplinary research programs undertaken during the past two decades in a variety of regions, such as the North Atlantic, North Pacific and Southern Ocean. Observational and modeling results from these regions, and others, have provided new understanding of the processes that control marine population variability within and between the study regions. The purpose of this session is to provide a forum for the presentation of synthetic results arising from studies of coupled physical-biological systems with the goal of highlighting differences and similarities in different oceanic systems. Papers that address the following are especially relevant to the session: 1) Linkages between climate-scale phenomena and regional physical and biological variability; 2) Modeling and observational studies of processes that affect coupled physical-biological systems (e.g., topographic controls, mesoscale variability, turbulent mixing); 3) Event-scale, seasonal, interannual and longer-term changes in population structure in relation to variability in the physical environment; 4) Comparison of the structure and dynamics of lower food-web and zooplankton and fish populations within and between the regions and ocean basins; 5) Connections between trophic levels. Observational and modeling studies that integrate biological and physical processes and make connections to the climate system are particularly encouraged.

Organizers: Rolf Gradinger, University of Alaska Fairbanks, rgradinger@ims.uaf.edu; Russ Hopcroft, University of Alaska Fairbanks, rhopcroft@ims.uaf.edu; Bodil Bluhm, University of Alaska Fairbanks, bluhm@ims.uaf.edu

This session is intended for presentations on recent findings relating to Arctic marine biodiversity in an ecological context, including results from the ‘Arctic Marine Biodiversity’ cluster endorsed by the International Polar Year. The Arctic Ocean is the area where the effects of climate change are expected to be most rapidly expressed. The ongoing changes make an effort to identify the communities and diversity of life in the major three realms of the Arctic (sea ice, water column and sea floor) an urgent issue. Changes in the environmental conditions will have direct effects on the marine biota on multiple levels, from communities to populations to individuals. Processes are critically impacted by the composition of biota involved in them. Species level information is, therefore, essential to discussions about climate change or anthropogenic impact, their expressions and effects. Recent efforts within and beyond the Census of Marine Life and in the framework of the International Polar Year have greatly advanced our understanding of arctic marine biodiversity and its relation to ecosystem functioning. We invite contributions that look at either new collections, or long-term monitoring of species and communities.

Organizers: Nathan Hawley, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, nathan.hawley@noaa.gov; Courtney K. Harris, Virginai Institute of Marine Science, ckharris@vims.edu; Barry M. Lesht, Argonne National Laboratory, bmlesht@anl.gov; Larry P. Sanford, Horn Point environmental Laboratory, lsanford@hpl.umces.edu

The physical characteristics of many lakes, estuaries, and shallow shelves - relatively small volumes of water, shallow water depths, relatively long coastlines, and high loadings from rivers and shoreline sources - make them particularly susceptible to environmental degradation. In recent years human population pressures have increased the demands on these regions, and in many cases have resulted in an increase in the frequency and severity of unwanted effects, such as hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, excess turbidity, and high rates of sedimentation. The importance of sediment transport has become increasingly recognized since not only are many nutrients and anthropogenic pollutants transported by sediments, but sediment-induced turbidity also may limit the amount of light available for photosynthesis and visual predators. Recent advances in theoretical, observational, and numerical modeling techniques have led to increased understanding of these complex systems. The session encourages submissions covering any aspect of sediment transport in lakes, estuaries, and shallow shelves, including field observations, laboratory experiments, and modeling studies. Studies of physical forcing, sedimentary response, different modes of transport, biogeochemical feedbacks with sediment, and particle behavior are all welcomed.

Organizers: Julie McClean, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, jmcclean@ucsd.edu; LuAnne Thompson, University of Washington, luanne@ocean.washington.edu; Steven Jayne, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, sjayne@whoi.edu; Anastasia Romanou, Columbia University/NASA-Goddard Institute for Space Studies, ar2235@coumbia.edu

Our ability to understand and project planetary climate change largely depends on the fidelity of the simulations produced by numerical models of the interacting components of the Earth system. In this session, we seek presentations that address the representation of key physical ocean processes that must be explicitly simulated and/or parameterized in order to reduce uncertainty in the climate’s response to anthropogenic forcing. In this regard, we welcome analyses of the ocean from coupled climate simulations conducted for the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as well as comparative analyses from stand-alone ocean simulations using the same models. Additionally, analyses of stand-alone ocean simulations whose resolutions are finer than the AR4 one-degree class ocean models that can help us understand improvements resulting from enhanced resolution are encouraged. Questions that this session addresses include: What types of resolution are needed to satisfactorily depict key processes? How well do current parameterizations represent the key processes in the one-degree class models? Metrics presentations using ocean data to assess the fidelity of ocean simulations are strongly encouraged, particularly innovative techniques using newly emerged in-situ and satellite-derived observations such as those from ARGO floats and the GRACE mission.

Organizers: Felix A. Martinez, NOAA, felix.martinez@noaa.gov; Elizabeth Turner, NOAA, elizabeth.turner@noaa.gov; Mike Dowgiallo, NOAA, michael.dowgiallo@noaa.gov

Traditional coastal resource management has focused on individual resources and stressors. Coastal science and management institutions in the US and internationally are increasingly calling for regional ecosystem approaches to management. An ecosystem approach to management is adaptive, takes into account ecosystem knowledge and uncertainties, considers multiple stressors, and strives to balance diverse societal objectives. Ecosystem-level research is required to support an ecosystem approach to management. Such research focuses on assessment, monitoring, and prediction of ecosystem interactions (including human drivers and outcomes) to evaluate alternative policy and management options. The purpose of this session is to provide a forum to highlight and explore model ecosystem studies supporting coastal management. We are particularly interested in studies that (1) provide predictive tools for evaluating management strategies, 2) inform multi-stakeholder decision-making processes establishing regional goals and measurable indicators, and/or (3) have informed management or policy decisions resulting in significant environmental or societal benefit. We also encourage presentations that explore the challenges and opportunities that generally apply to an integrative ecosystem research approach.

Organizers: W. Timothy Liu, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, liu@pacific.jpl.nasa.gov; Mark A. Bourassa, Florida State University, bourassa@coaps.fsu.edu

A new generation of active and passive spaceborne microwave sensors has improved the estimation of ocean atmosphere exchanges in momentum, heat, and water. From the surface fluxes, ocean mixing and meridional heat and water transports in an ocean basin have been derived. Ocean current, temperature, and salinity measured by the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and Climate Variability (CLIVAR) programs could be used to quantify errors and examine the overturning in the ocean. Ocean general circulation model simulations, combined with satellite and in situ observations, can also be used to study processes that govern changes in the storage and transport of heat and salt. Spaceborne observations have been used to estimate atmospheric moisture transport, which links the ocean to terrestrial and cryospheric water and energy balance. The divergence of atmospheric transport and the top-of-atmosphere radiation are complementary to oceanic data in the study of global energy and water cycle. Results from these and related studies are most welcome for submission.

Organizers: Robert Bruce Scott, UT Austin, rscott@ig.utexas.edu; Joseph Henry LaCasce, University of Oslo, j.h.lacasce@geo.uio.no

Studies of oceanic observations addressing the fundamental principles of geophysical fluid dynamics (GFD) are sought. Previous such comparisons have stimulated theoretical work and have led to novel methods of data interpretation. Traditional topics include Rossby wave propagation, eddy-mean-flow interaction, topographic effects, energy cascades, zonal jets, turbulent dispersion and the general circulation. Creative new uses of data are also encouraged, as are modeling studies that involve the application of GFD to realistic flows and idealized studies that make observable predications.

Organizers: Raffaele Ferrari, MIT, rferrari@mit.edu; Amala Mahadevan, Boston University, amala@bu.edu; Amit Tandon, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, atandon@umassd.edu; Leif Thomas, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, lthomas@whoi.edu

Eddy transports of large-scale momentum and material tracers exert a profound influence on the oceanic general circulation, and on the exchange of heat, freshwater, and biogeochemical tracers between the ocean and the atmosphere. Recent observational and theoretical work has shown that eddy variability in the surface layers strongly differs from that in the interior. Sub-mesoscale eddies and fronts develop where isopycnals outcrop in the surface mixed layer driving vigorous exchange of properties between the ocean surface and interior with implications for the global ocean stratification and biological productivity. Our goal is to bring together experts in the observation, theory and modeling of eddy variability and biogeochemistry in the upper ocean, with the aim of assessing the current state of our understanding and defining important outstanding questions. Topics of particular interest include: 1) interactions of mesoscale eddies and surface mixed layers, 2) frontogenesis and sub-mesoscale dynamics in the upper ocean, 3) transition from sub-mesoscale dynamics to turbulent mixing through loss of balance, 4) eddies and high latitude convection, 5) surface eddies and lateral mixing at the equator, 6) impact of mesoscale and sub-mesoscale eddy variability on ocean biogeochemistry. Submissions from the Climate Process Team on Eddy-Mixed Layer Interactions) are welcomed; contributions outside these programs are strongly encouraged as well.

Organizers: Shaun Johnston, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, shaunj@ucsd.edu; Jody Klymak, University of Victoria, jklymak@uvic.ca

The overall goal of the Assessing the Effects of Submesoscale Ocean Parameterizations (AESOP) is to evaluate the impact of submesoscale ocean parameterizations on synoptic predictions of the ocean state using numerical models. The field program took place near Monterey Bay, California in August 2006. The observations and models investigate dynamics at an offshore front, bottom boundary layer dynamics, turbulence on the continental shelf and slope, and internal tides. The primary focus of this effort is to develop metrics and methods for assessing existing parameterizations. Contributions from within AESOP and from other investigators which address the above processes and related parameterizations are especially encouraged.

Organizers: Ian Hewson, University of California Santa Cruz, hewson@ucsc.edu; Pia H. Moisander, University of California Santa Cruz, piam@pmc.ucsc.edu

Over the past 20 years an explosion in our understanding of the phylogenetic and potential metabolic diversity of marine microbial assemblages has resulted from application of molecular tools of amplification, hybridization, and sequencing of deoxyribonucleic acid. More recently, application of reverse transcription has allowed examination of active processes and identification of RNA-based organisms (i.e. viruses) in the marine environment. Current approaches utilizing RNA-based technologies span from examining transcripts by microarrays and quantitative PCR, through sequencing of mRNA transcript libraries and whole assemblage transcriptomes. The purpose of this session is to bring together researchers employing RNA-based technologies to allow exchange of ideas on techniques and approaches. How fast does RNA degrade, is silenced or interfered with in the environment? What can we learn from community transcriptomics and gene-based libraries? How could novel RNA-based approaches be used to examine fundamental questions of marine ecology? What does gene expression tell us about ecosystem function over environmental gradients? We welcome submissions from all corners of ocean science, including whole community and single-organism transcriptomics, analysis of transcript libraries, degradation, silencing and interference of RNA in marine organisms, and studies of RNA viruses in open ocean, coastal and estuarine waters.

Organizers: Faiza Al-Yamani, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, fyamani@kisr.edu.kw; Igor Polikarpov, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, ipolikarpov@mfd.kisr.edu.kw; Valeriy Skryabin, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, vskry@kisr.edu.kw

The session will deal with the subject of interdependence between riverine and marine systems. It will focus on the significance of the freshwater influx into the marine environment, as well the effects of damming rivers, and destroying wetlands that are associated with rivers on the health of the downstream marine ecosystem. Examples of effects include changes in: water quality, biodiversity and community structure, bio-optics, biological productivity including coral reefs and other benthos, fisheries and recruitment. Scientists working in biological, chemical, physical, and geological oceanography, as well as in remote sensing and bio-economics are encouraged to participate.

Organizers: John H. Trefry, Florida Institute of Technology, jtrefry@fit.edu; Kenneth H. Dunton, Marine Science Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, dunton@utmsi.utexas.edu

Human activities on both local and global scales have the potential to adversely impact the coastal arctic. On local scales, oil exploration and production, which have largely been focused in shallow coastal regions, are rapidly expanding onto the Arctic Shelf, especially in the western arctic. The coastal arctic also is experiencing rapid change in response to a warming global climate, as reflected in longer ice-free summers, increased shoreline erosion, and significant increases in freshwater discharge. The proposed multidisciplinary session will be open to presentations that consider both natural processes and human activities that influence coastal arctic environments. These processes and activities include inputs of nutrients, organic substances and trace metals from rivers and coastal sources. The session also will welcome papers that consider physical and biogeochemical exchanges and linkages between the terrestrial and coastal reservoirs and the susceptibility of arctic coastal systems, including the human environment, to change. A diverse mixture of scientists is encouraged to participate and provide an opportunity for scientific exchange in this important and dynamic area.

Organizers: Frank Muller-Karger, University of South Florida, carib@marine.usf.edu; Larry Peterson, University of Miami - RSMAS, lpeterson@rsmas.miami.edu; Laura Lorenzoni, University of South Florida, laural@marine.usf.edu; Mary Scranton, Stony Brook University, mscranton@notes.cc.sunysb.edu

Continental margins are highly productive areas, which experience significant carbon fixation by photosynthesis, supporting in turn abundant and diverse pelagic and benthic fauna relative to the deep ocean. A record of surface ocean climate signals can be preserved in continental margins and adjacent settings, particularly when the vertical flux of particulate matter is protected from degradation by hypoxic or anoxic waters in nearby coastal upwelling regions. Understanding present conditions and relating them to water column processes occurring near the surface, within the water column (particularly at the oxic/anoxic interface), and on the seafloor can help interpret the geological record stored therein. This requires an interdisciplinary research effort and comparison of results from comparable settings around the world's oceans. The Cariaco Basin is one example of such a marine anoxic laboratory. Here, past and present climate signals are preserved in the sediment and an interdisciplinary, international time series program (CARIACO; US and Venezuela) is focused on understanding modern focusing processes to decipher the sediment record. We invite researchers working in the Cariaco Basin or on similar processes occurring along continental margins around the globe to share results and experiences.

Organizers: Thomas S. Bianchi, Texas A&M University, tbianchi@tamu.edu; Elizabeth A. Canuel, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, ecanuel@vims.edu

Applications of chemical biomarkers have become widespread in limnology and oceanography. Chemical biomarkers have provided numerous insights about present and past aspects of Earth history including: (1) food and energy sources available to microbes and higher organisms, (2) microbial chemotaxonomy, (3) sources of fossil fuels, and (4) evolution of life on Earth. These biomarkers offer the potential to provide insights about the biogeochemical sources, transformation, and fate of organic matter, which are critical for understanding the effects of natural and human-induced environmental change. Approaching aquatic sciences from a biogeochemical perspective requires a fundamental understanding of the composition of organic matter. However, despite new analytical advances in aquatic geochemistry, a significant fraction of the organic matter remains uncharacterizable. Nevertheless, recent advances have been made in the analysis of polar molecules, “finger-printing” of complex organic matter using Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), protein chemistry (e.g., proteomics), and multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), to name a few. In this session, we hope to explore some recent advances that allow us to break through this “analytical window” and more fully understand the molecularly-uncharacterized component (MUC) of aquatic organic matter.

Organizers: Nathalie Valette-Silver, NOAA/NOS/NCCOS, nathalie.valette-silver@noaa.gov; Teri Rowles, NOAA/NMFS/PR, teri.rowles@noaa.gov; Cheryl Woodley, NOAA/NOS, cheryl.woodley@noaa.gov

Over the past decades, marine animal diseases and die-offs are becoming more frequent and are observed in most coastal states. In addition, specific marine populations are showing evidence of obvious responses to environmental changes. This trend parallels the increase in human population using coastal and ocean resources as well as observed environmental changes (including climate change, temperature rise, increased nutrients and contaminants concentrations, etc). For example, Harmful Algal Bloom(HAB) biotoxins may cause human illness and death, result in beaches or waters being closed to recreation or seafood harvesting, alter habitats and adversely, impact the health and survival of fish, endangered or protected species (such as marine mammals, sea turtles and corals), as well as other marine organisms. The session will identify major stressors, their potential impacts on marine animal or coral health, and evaluate the risks to specific vulnerable populations or ecosystems.

Organizers: Georgi G. Sutyrin, GSO, University of Rhode Island, USA, gsutyrin@gso.uri.edu; Gordon E. Swaters, DMSS, University of Alberta, Canada, gordon.swaters@ualberta.ca

Irregular, rough topography is a prevalent ocean feature, appearing in the shape of the ocean bottom and coastline, and the shelves and slopes that connect the shores to the abyss. Strong currents, jets, ocean variability and enhanced mixing are also often observed near topography, arguing that continental shelves, ridges and seamounts exert a strong dynamical oceanic influence. Accurate modeling of baroclinic flows interacting with steep topography remains a challenging problem. This session provides a forum for observational, numerical, theoretical, laboratory studies of topographic effects at global, mesoscale, and small-scale processes.

Organizers: Sonya Legg, Princeton University, Sonya.Legg@noaa.gov; Arnold Gordon, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, agordon@ldeo.columbia.edu; Tamay Ozgokmen, University of Miami, tozgokmen@rsmas.miami.edu

Dense oceanic overflows and gravity currents are the source of much of the ventilation of the ocean. These energetic features are governed by small spatial and temporal scale processes, difficult to observe and to model. The ongoing Gravity Current Entrainment Climate Process Team is bridging the gap between climate model development and observational, theoretical, laboratory and numerical process studies, to improve global climate model representation of overflows and dense gravity currents. This session will provide a forum to present progress over the last few years in the development of observational and theoretical understanding of these features, and in their representation within global models. Presentations describing the impact of overflow representation on simulations of the larger scale ocean circulation and the climate are encouraged.

Organizers: Stephanie Glenn, PhD, Houston Advanced Research Center, sglenn@harc.edu; Lisa Gonzalez, M.S.,, Houston Advanced Research Center, lgonzalez@harc.edu

Global climate change is expected to alter many variables of coastal ecosystem health in the coming decades. Scientists around the world are already documenting impacts of global climate change such as changes in global ocean temperatures, sea level, distribution and quantity of precipitation, estuarine salinity regimes, and biogeographic ranges of flora and fauna. Also being documented are increasing numbers of introductions of nonnative, invasive species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. The successful establishment of a nonnative, invasive species in a coastal ecosystem is largely dependent upon the presence of favorable environmental conditions at the time of the introduction such as temperature, salinity, food availability, and the existence of predators and disease. Climate-induced changes to factors such as these may facilitate the successful invasion of aquatic species previously introduced, but unable to establish, due to the prior incompatibility of estuarine conditions. This session will investigate the extent to which global climate change has the potential to exacerbate the spread of invasive species in coastal ecosystems.

Organizers: Anthony Moss, Ph.D., Biological Sciences, Auburn University, mossant@auburn.edu; Russell Hill, Ph.D., Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland, hillr@umbi.umd.edu

The session will explore the relationship between microbes and invertebrate hosts, ranging from sponges to plankters, to arthropods and platyhelmiths. Microbes may use the invertebrate as a life-cycle host, or may confer advantage on the host with regard to nutrient uptake or with adaptation to extreme environments. Microbes have been shown to have a critical impact on the ability of invertebrates to assimilate energy sources that they otherwise could not access, such as the Osedax/Oceanospirillales symbiosis, which aids with the recycling of carbon in whale falls. Microbes can therefore play a critical role in global carbon processing at many different levels.

Organizers: Iliana B Baums, Pennsylvania State University, baums@psu.edu; Claire Paris, University of Miami - RSMAS, cparis@rsmas.miami.edu

Marine species often can be described as metapopulations with varying levels of subpopulation connectivity across time and space. Evolutionary studies aim at exploring long-term processes such as, speciation, biogeography, historical exchanges events, and population persistence. Low dispersal rates are sufficient to shift the metapopulation distribution pattern over time by turnover of local populations: some go extinct and are re-established elsewhere. Ecological studies focus on the larval fluxes required to sustain a population (e.g. design of MPAs to protect a fished stock, exploration of recent or current genetic population structure). Such demographic connectivity usually implies that a substantial number of individuals are exchanged each generation. Dispersal at all scales is influenced by the physical and chemical environment dispersive stages encounter due in part to behavioral responses of migrants to their dispersal environment. Increasing sea-surface temperatures, changing water chemistry and shifts in marine community structure are likely to influence reproduction and dispersal patterns. This session invites papers that integrate multiple disciplines to understand the influence of climate change on connectivity and survival of marine populations.

Organizers: Lyle Hibler, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, lyle.hibler@pnl.gov

Organizers: Libe Washburn, University of California, Santa Barbara, washburn@icess.ucsb.edu; Jeffrey D. Paduan, US Naval Postgraduate School, paduan@nps.edu; Lynn K. Shay, RSMAS/MPO University of Miami, nshay@rsmas.miami.edu; Scott Glenn, Institute of Marine and Coastal Studies, Rutgers University, glenn@marine.rutgers.edu

High frequency (HF) radar is becoming increasingly important in coastal oceanographic research. Surface currents obtained from HF radars are a backbone measurement in evolving coastal ocean observing systems. HF radars provide nearly continuous time series observations over grids with spatial resolution from 1 to 6 kilometers and temporal resolution of the order of minutes to a few hours. Maximum ranges of HF radars now extend to about 180 km offshore. Process oceanographic studies in the coastal ocean often rely on real-time current patterns from HF radars for opportunistic sampling and for interpreting local observations within the larger scale velocity field. Surface current observations from HF radars are now being used operationally by government agencies such as the US Coast Guard for search and rescue operations. This session seeks presentations covering the wide range of applications and technological developments related to the use of HF radars in coastal oceanography. These include studies of coastal current dynamics, larval and pollutant dispersal, statistical description of the surface gravity wave field, and dispersion of river discharge. Presentations on technological advances related to HF radar are also welcome including hardware innovations, algorithm development, and accuracy and error characterization.

Organizers: Andrew Pershing, University of Maine, andrew.pershing@maine.edu; David Mountain, NOAA Fisheries, dmountai@whsun1.wh.whoi.edu; Igor Belkin, University of Rhode Island, ibelkin@gso.uri.edu; Charles Greene, Cornell University, chg2@cornell.edu

Arctic and subarctic regions have experienced considerable warming over the last ~30 years, and climate models suggest this trend will continue. Major consequences of high- latitude warming include distributional changes of freshwater and ice. There is emerging evidence that changes in the export of low-salinity water from the Arctic over recent decades may have influenced coastal marine systems as far south as the Middle Atlantic Bight. The intent of this session is to provide a forum for the presentation of results from regional physical, biological and/or ecosystem studies that explore the nature and extent of Arctic influences on lower latitude systems. Of particular relevance to the session will be results from: 1) observational and modeling studies investigating the timing and pathways of freshwater export from the Arctic, and 2) studies investigating the physical and biological changes in sub-arctic and mid-latitude ecosystems in which an Arctic influence has been documented or suggested.

Organizers: Les Watling, University of Hawaii, watling@hawaii.edu; Elva Escobar-Briones, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, escobri@mar.icmyl.unam.mx

Marine biogeography is an old discipline, founded to study patterns of distributions of organisms throughout the world’s oceans. For the most part this field has focused its attentions on organisms of the continental shelves and upper reaches of the open sea. These patterns have been admirably summarized in books published in the last two decades. However, as exploration of the deep sea has progressed, especially involving the use of new tools such as submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, and trackable ocean drifters, new knowledge about the oceanography and biogeography of the ocean interior is being accumulated. This session will present many of these new findings, and will promote an interchange among physical and biological oceanographers.

Organizers: Robert Richmond, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaii at Manoa, richmond@hawaii.edu; Felix Martinez, NOAA, Felix.Martinez@noaa.gov; Michael Dowgiallo, NOAA, Michael.Dowgiallo@noaa.gov

Coral reefs worldwide are being degraded by human-induced disturbances, resulting in ecological, economic and cultural losses. Runoff and sedimentation are among the greatest threats to coastal reefs surrounding high islands and adjacent to continental landmasses. Scientific data exist that identify key stressors, synergisms, and outcomes at the coral reef ecosystem, community and population levels. These data demonstrate that marine protected areas alone are insufficient for coral reef protection and that integrated watershed management practices in upland areas are also needed. Gaps in the effectiveness of environmental policy, legislation and regulatory enforcement have resulted in the continued degradation of U.S reefs. Several Pacific Islands, with intact resource stewardship and traditional leadership systems, have been able to apply research findings to coral reef management policies relatively quickly. Case histories in Micronesia and elsewhere provide insight on how biophysical data can be applied to manage human behaviors responsible for coral reef destruction, through the social sciences.

Organizers: J. A. Yoder, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, jyoder@whoi.edu; E. L. Rom, National Science Foundation, Division of Ocean Sciences, elrom@nsf.gov; J. McDonnell, Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences, Rutgers, mcdonnel@marine.rutgers.edu

Ocean observing systems are being designed, developed and deployed to support ocean research and marine operations. The technological challenges to be overcome to bring these systems to full operation make interesting stories, and the real-time data streams available now and in the future provide great opportunities to engage many different audiences in the excitement of exploring the coastal and open ocean and seafloor. Our session seeks papers that illustrate: (1) the challenges that need to be overcome to bring environmental data to novice users; (2) pilot projects that demonstrate how ocean observing data can be used in formal and informal classroom or other settings; (3) ideas/examples from researchers as to how they believe their experiments and data using ocean observing systems are useful for education and outreach; and (4) the role of cyber infrastructure for collecting and disseminating data from remote locations for use in education and outreach. This session encourages exemplars including those from other fields (e.g. meteorology, environmental science) that model and discuss how observing systems and cyber infrastructure can meet the increasing need for ocean awareness and understanding through improved formal and informal education serving a broad range of audiences.

Organizers: John C. Brock, USGS, jbrock@usgs.gov; Dawn Lavoie, USGS, dlavoie@usgs.gov

Following the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August –September 2005, a better understanding of the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) coastal system is a basic requirement for sustainable restoration, redevelopment, and sound natural resource management strategies. Further impetus for investigations of the geomorphological structure, ecological function, and hazard vulnerability of the northern Gulf Coast stems from global climate projections that suggest more intense Atlantic hurricanes over the next several decades. Moreover, dramatic landscape change in the NGOM region during the last century has reduced the level of hurricane protection afforded to NGOM human populations by coastal wetlands and barrier islands. This interdisciplinary session will present research on 1) the reconstruction of Holocene geologic stratigraphy, paleoenvironments, climate, and sea-level histories, 2) the historical period evolution of the NGOM landscape, 3) forecasts of change in this landscape, and 4) the susceptibility of NGOM ecosystems and human communities to severe storms throughout the coming century.

Organizers: Gregory A. Cutter, Old Dominion University, gcutter@odu.edu; Richard G. Zepp, US EPA, Zepp.Richard@epamail.epa.gov

Aquatic photochemistry is a relatively young field, but has taken on increased significance due to its roles in the cycling of radiatively-important and greenhouse gases, and effects on the degradation and bioavailability of organic and inorganic compounds. It is also tightly linked to photobiology and thus it is a crucial component to many biogeochemical cycles; “photobiogeochemistry” could be an appropriate and all-encompassing term. This session will feature papers that explore the frontiers of aquatic photobiogeochemistry from fresh to ocean waters, including field and laboratory-based studies.

Organizers: James Syvitski, INSTAAR U Colorado, james.syvitski@colorado.edu; Chris Paola, NCED, U Minnesota, cpaola@tc.umn.edu; Yoshiki Saito, Geological Survey of Japan, yoshiki.saito@aist.go.jp

The world's coastal delta systems are made vulnerable and placed into risk as a consequence of anthropogenic forces, involving both climate and land use change. Delta environments reflect both changes upland, along the coast, and from the ocean. This session will bring to bear an analysis of the individual and conjunctive impacts of climate variability, water engineering and river regulation, consumptive freshwater abstractions, land management, coastal zone development and human occupancy, as well as sea level rise and hurricane intensity. Hundreds of millions of people occupy deltas and human engineering is now a major influence on the growth and evolution of many deltas, through control of the flow path of distributary channels, and mitigation of the seasonal flood wave with concomitant change in the delivery of sediment load. More and more deltas are moving away from their pre-Anthropocene morphology, as influenced by pristine sediment supply and sediment dispersal. This session reaches out to all environmental scientists, from eco-hydrologists to sedimentologists to coastal oceanographers.

Organizers: Gary Lagerloef, Earth & Space Research, lager@esr.org; Ray Schmitt, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, rschmitt@whoi.edu

This session will highlight new insights on the influence of ocean salinity on climate and ocean dynamics, and looking ahead to satellite salinity data. Ocean salinity variations trace climatologic changes in the water cycle and its connections from the watershed to the global oceans, which harbor 97% of the planet's free water. Salinity variations affect the buoyancy driven oceanic circulation and heat transport in the climate system. Satellite missions are nearing launch which will provide pioneering globally synoptic measurements of the surface salinity and its variability. Recent autonomous systems are yielding a wealth of new in situ data. This session welcomes contributions related to all aspects of the problems and recent results of salinity measurements, remote sensing, modeling, forcing, analysis and interpretation of its influence on ocean circulation and climate on seasonal to decadal time scales.

Organizers: Christopher J. Gobler, Stony Brook University, christopher.gobler@stonybrook.edu; William G. Sunda, National Ocean Service, NOAA, bill.su