Atlantic Estuarine Research Society 2018 meeting/AERS Pr… · Atlantic Estuarine Research Society...

April 5 - 7, 2018Atlantic Sands Hotel

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Atlantic Estuarine Research Society

AERS at 70: Bridging Past to Future

Est. 1948

Atlantic Estuarine Research Society - AERS at 70: Bridging Past to the Future

2 April, 2018

Governing Board

Danielle Kreeger, President

Joe Luczkovich, President-Elect

Treda Smith-Grayson, Past President

Shelley Katsuki, Secretary

Jessie Jarvis, Treasurer

Treda Grayson and Angela Padeletti, Program Committee

Shelley Katsuki, Membership

Mark Brush, Nominations

Erin Reilly and LeeAnn Haaf, Web Masters

Julie Ambler and Elizabeth Lacey, AERSNews Editor

David O’Neill, Constitution

Robert Christian, Historian

Judith Stribling, Honorary Members

Lora Harris, Roberto Llanso, Ben Fertig, Members-at-Large

David Yozzo and CJ Schlick, Student Endowment

Kristy Lewis and CJ Schlick, Social Media

Johnny Quispe and LeeAnn Haaf, Student Affairs


3 April, 2018

AERS Timehop

A. A group photo of the Spring 1962 AERS meeting in Hampton, Virginia. B. L. Eugene Cronin, who worked at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, was the first ever president of AERS. The first AERS meeting took place April 23-24 in 1949 in Morehead City, North Carolina. C. Two AERS members dancing... Bill Boicourt is that you? D. Bob and A.J. Lippson. A. J was AERS president Fall 1976 to Spring 1977. E. W.J. Hargis, president of AERS fall 1963 to spring 1964 and a recipient of the Venerable Clam. F. Beaufort, North Carolina, where the Spring 1989 AERS meeting took place.

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4 April, 2018

Welcome to the AERS Spring 2018 Meeting

70th Anniversary!!! History tells us that early AERS meetings were spirited affairs in very “rustic” settings where

topics were disussed with gusto. Over seven decades, AERS meetings have evolved to be also very student-centric, presenting opportunities for young scientists to connect with luminaries

in a casual setting, continuing this legacy of vibrant exchange. We trust that you will help keep our traditions alive during this special 70th anniversary meeting. Let’s toast our rich history!

And as we share memories and make new ones, let’s also focus on the future! How can AERS become even more relevant over the next 70 years? What can we do at this meeting to pre-

pare the next generation to address looming challenges? -Danielle Kreeger, President

AERS welcomes presentations from ALL areas of estuarine and coastal science. As AERS cele-brates its 70th anniversary at this meeting, it’s a fitting time to reflect on our roots and refresh our knowledge regarding fauna, flora and interrelationships that underpin estuarine ecology.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Kim de Mutsert (George Mason University), Dr. Jack Gallagher (University of Delaware), Dr. Leila Hamdan (University of Southern Mississippi), Dr. Brandon

Jones (National Science Foundation), Dr. Daphne Munroe (Rutgers University), and Dr. JJ Orth (Virginia Institute of Marine Science). These experts will present and discuss current state of

our knowledge about estuarine fundamentals, where we’ve been and where we are going from varous view points along their careers.

A hearty round of thanks to local hosts Danielle Kreeger (Partnership for the Delaware Estuary), Alison Rogerson(Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Pro-tection), Gulnihal Ozbay (Delaware State University), Susan Guiteras (USFWS) and Marianne

Walch (Delaware Center for Inland Bays) for putting together a fantastic 70th anniversary meet-ing! We would also like to thank Sandra Demburger (Partnership for the Delaware Estuary) who

put much of this program booklet together. Much thanks also to President Danielle Kreeger, and Treasurer Jessie Jarvis for their tireless work behind the scenes. We would also like to

thank everyone in the AERS communicty who came together to make our 70th Anniversary a meeting that we hope will be hard to forget.

Treda Smith-Greyson and Angela Padeletti,

AERS Program Committee 70 and Fabulous


5 April, 2018

Table of Contents

Governing Board .........................................................................................................................2

AERS timehop .............................................................................................................................3

Welcome to the AERS Spring 2018 Meeting .............................................................................4

Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................5

Venue Information .......................................................................................................................6

CERF Tones .................................................................................................................................6

Schedule at a Glance ..................................................................................................................7

Field Trips and Workshops ..........................................................................................................9

Detailed Schedule of Events .....................................................................................................10

Thursday April 5th .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Friday April 6th ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10

Saturday April 7th ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Posters ......................................................................................................................................15

Upgoer Style Posters ................................................................................................................19

Keynote Speakers .....................................................................................................................20

Dr. Kim de Mutsert ............................................................................................................................................... 20

Dr. Jack Gallagher ................................................................................................................................................ 21

Dr. Leila J. Hamdan .............................................................................................................................................. 22

Dr. Brandon Jones ................................................................................................................................................ 23

Dr. Daphne Munroe .............................................................................................................................................. 24

Dr. Rober Orth ...................................................................................................................................................... 25

Poster and Presentation Abstracts ...........................................................................................26

Past Presidents ..........................................................................................................................70

Sponsors ....................................................................................................................................72


6 April, 2018

Rehoboth Beach, DelawareConsistently ranked among the top beaches in the nation, Rehoboth Beach is a town that inspires love and devotion, and a place that lingers in the memory of its faithful visitors for a lifetime. Partly that’s because of Rehoboth’s easy, friendly charm – shaded streets lined with colorful beach cottages and artsy boutiques invite travelers to stroll, shop and maybe stop for a nibble in one of Rehoboth’s fun, funky restaurants.

The Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference CenterThe Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center just feet from the sands of one of the finest beachs on the East Coast. The Atlantic Sands Hotel is the perfect place for enjoying not only the beach, but the boutiques and nightlife of the treasured resort town of Rehoboth Beach. The poster session can be found in the Atlantic Boardwalk Grille located within the hotel.

Location: 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Chesapeake and Maine RestaurantThe Chesapeake and Maine restaurant is only 15 minute walk up Rehoboth Ave. The combination of seafood served exclusively from the Chesapeake and Maine region, handcrafted cocktails and beers, and a nautical-themed atmosphere are sure to make your evening memorable.

Location: 316 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Venue Information

CERFTonesThe CERFTones came together for the 2007 CERF Meeting in Providence, RI, as CERF Unplugged. The CERFTones played again at the Fall 2009 CERF Meeting in Portland, OR. An offshoot of the CERFTones (NEERSighted, a.k.a. the Hot Toddies) had played the Spring 2009 NEERS meeting as well. The current lineup of the CERFTones assembled in 2017 to play in Providence again at the recent CERF meeting, where we were recruited to play at AERS!

Come see them play at the Friday night reception!


7 April, 2018

Schedule at a Glance

Thursday April 5th

4:00 - 5:00pm Workshops- Speaker: Rachel Roper

Workshop 1: Everything you always wanted to know about the unwritten rules of Science, Ethics and Sexual Harassment but were too afraid to askLocation: Lewes Campus, University of Delaware’s College of Earth Ocean and Environment Cannon Room 104

3:00 - 5:00 pm Board Meeting

3:00 - 6:00 pm Field Trip

Field Trip 1: James Farm Ecological Preserve Tour, Ocean View, DE ($0)

5:00 - 5:30 pm Tour of R/V Sharp

Location: Lewes Campus, University of Delaware’s College of Earth Ocean and Environment, Marine Operations Building

6:00 - 10:00 pm Social at Chesapeake and Maine Restaurant, Rehoboth Beach

Friday April 6th

7:30 - 10:00 am Registration, Sands Hotel, Rehoboth Beach- Outside Swan Ball Room

7:30 - 8:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:30 Welcome

8:50 - Keynote Speaker - J. Gallagher

9:15 - 10:30 Session 1

10:45 Break

11:00 Ignite talks: Session A

11:35 Keynote Speaker B. Jones

12:00 Lunch

1:30 Ignite talks: Session B

2:05 Keynote Speaker - D. Monroe

2:30 - 3:15 Session 2

3:15 Break


8 April, 2018

3:35 Keynote Speaker: J. Orth

4:00 -5:00 Session 3

5:15 Business meeting

6:00 Poster Session - Atlantic Boardwalk Grille

7:30 Banquet (Swan Ball Room, Sands Hotel)

Saturday April 7th

7:30 - 8:30 am Registration, Sands Hotel, Rehoboth Beach- Outside Swan Ballroom

7:30 - 8:30 am Continental Breakfast

8:15 - Welcome

8:35 Keynote Speaker - K. de Mutsert

9:00 - 9:45 Session 4

10:00 Ignite Talks Session C

10:45 - Break

11:00 Keynote Speaker - L. Hamdan

11:25 - 12:55 Session 5

1:10 Student awards

1:30 Closing remarks

2:00 - 5:00 pm Field Trips

Field Trip 2: Boat Tour of Rehoboth and Indian River Bays, Rehoboth Beach ($20)

Field Trip 3: Tour of Prime Hook NWR Tidal marsh Restoration Project ($0)

Field Trip 4: Kayak Tour of Broadkill River ($0)

Flash from the Past: A E R S!!!!


9 April, 2018

Field Trips and WorkshopsJames Farm Ecological Preserve TourTime: Thursday April 5th - 3 PM (Approx. 3 hours)

Meeting Place: James Farm parking area (30048 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View, DE 19970)

The 150-acre James Farm Ecological Preserve, managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, is an oasis of wild land on Indian River Bay. From the sandy beach at low tide, over three miles of trails traverse a variety of salt marsh, meadow, and maritime forest habitats. The preserve was gifted by the late Mary Lighthipe, a descendant of the James family who had farmed the land for generations, on condition that the property be used for environmental education and recreational activities. On this tour we will walk the trails, discuss ongoing improvements to the preserve, and participate in a fish seining activity. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Limit - 20 participants

Tour of Prime Hook NWR Tidal Marsh Restoration ProjectTime: Saturday, April 7 - 2 PM (approximately 3 hours)Meeting Place: Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (11978 Turkle Pond Rd., Milton, DE 19968)Take a guided tour of the large tidal marsh and beach restoration project recently completed at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge staff will be on hand to provide background information, explain the planning and science behind the restoration design, and describe the construction efforts and lessons learned. The tour will consist of a driving tour with several stops along the way for discussion and short walks, including on the newly restored beach. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Limit - 18 participants

Boat Tour of Rehoboth and Indian River BaysTime: Saturday April 7th - 2 PM (Approx. 3 hours)Cost: $20/personMeeting Place: Indian River Marina (39415 Inlet Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971)Join staff from the Delaware Center for the inland Bays on a tour of the Bays, with focus on the Center’s work to protect and restore estuarine habitats and improve water quality. Wear warm clothing and be prepared for a potentially wet ride. Tour subject to cancellation if the weather is too bad. Limit - 10 participants

Broadkill River KayakDate: Saturday April 7th - 2 PM

Meeting Place: Memorial Park in Milton

Join David Yozzo on an informal kayak/canoe tour for a few of hours on the upper (freshwater tidal) Broadkill River (from the Memorial Park in Milton, near the Dogfish Brewery) on Saturday afternoon. This trip is a “BYOB” (Bring your Own Boat and/or Booze) affair. There is a local outfitter that could provide you a kayak but you would need to contact them yourself to rent. https://www.questkayak.com/rentals


10 April, 2018

Detailed Schedule of Events

Thursday April 5th

4:00- 5:00 Workshop- Speaker: Rachel Roper. Lewes Campus, University of Delaware.

3:00 - 5:00 Board Meeting

3:00 - 6:00 Field TripField Trip 1: James Farm Ecological Preserve Tour, Ocean View, DE ($0)

5:00 - 5:30 Tour of R\V Sharp- Marine Operations Building University of Delaware (0$)

6:00 - 10:00 Social at Chesapeake and Maine Restaurant

Friday April 6th

7:30 - 8:30

8:30

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Welcome

8:50 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jack GallagherMaintaining Economic and Ecological Functions of Land Impacted by Sea-level Rise

9:15 Assessing the impact of land use and climate change on streamflow and nutri-ent delivery to the New River Estuary, NCShanna Williamson (Masters student)

9:30 Integrating basic research and citizen science in global change ecology: a tool for linking the laboratory and the fieldEmily Rivest

9:45 Quantifying the ecosystem metabolism of a tidal estuary as a consequence of aerationZachary Gotthardt (Masters student)

10:00 Environmental Monitoring Plan for the Delaware Inland BaysMarianna Walch

10:15 Do macroalgal mats limit microphytobenthos on mudflats?Alice Besterman (PhD student)

Cannon Room 104


11 April, 2018

10:30 Examining Marsh Extent Under Various Scenarios of Sea Level Rise and Sediment Supply, and Identifying Potential Risks to Coastal CommunitiesAlec Davis (Masters student)

10:45 Break

11:00 Ignite Talks Session A

Effectiveness of ‘Green Bulkheads’ in Improving Habitat on Hardened Shore-linesRoman Jesien

Living Shoreline Coastal Erosion SolutionBruce Richards

Linking Community Engagement with Restoration ProjectsLiz Wist

Data synthesis for environmental management: A case study of Chesapeake Bay submerged aquatic vegetationWilliam Dennison

11:35 Keynote Speaker: Brandon JonesIt’s All Good: The Reciprocity of Diversity in STEM

12:00 Lunch Boardwalk Boardwalk Grille

1:30 Ignite Talks Session B

Escape velocity: How to outrun your parasitesDavid Johnson

Harmful Algae Succession and Vibrio spp. Detection in The Delaware Inland BaysDetbra Rosales (PhD student)

Build it, but will they come?Christine Voss

Reverse genetics demonstrate the role of mucosal C-type lectins in food particle selection in the oyster Crassostrea virginicaPales Espinosa

2:05 Keynote Speaker: Daphne MunroeShellfish and Larval Estuarine Ecology: Reckoning Progress over the Past Half Century

2:30 The ABCs of oyster aquaculture at VIMS: Who we are, what we do, and why you should careShelley Katsuki


12 April, 2018

2:45 Oyster-associated denitrification: between a rock and another hard place (i.e. shell)Melanie Jackson (PhD student)

3:00 Seasonal variations in mucosal lectin expression in the oyster Crassostrea virginicaSimon Allam (Undergraduate Student)

3:15 Break

3:35 Keynote Speaker: Robert OrthSeagrasses: A half-century along the path from obscurity to mainstream

4:00 Characterization of Spatial Distribution Patterns of the Atlantic Sea Nettle in the Patuxent River and adjunct creeks using Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS)Nikelene McIean (Undergraduate Student)

4:15 Assessment of Ecological Value of Benthic Habitats Using Functional Diversity TraitsRoberto Llanso

4:30 Diamond-Backed Terrapin in Chesapeake Bay: From Pig Food to Gourmet Delight to Protected SpeciesVic Kennedy

4:45 Altered Behavior of Parasitized Carcinus maenas Decreases Susceptibility to Predation by Definitive Bird HostsCollin Love (Undergraduate Student)

5:00 Relative predation on juvenile Callinectes sapidus in structured and unstructured habitatKatherine Longmire (Masters Student)

5:15 Business Meeting

6:00 Poster Session Boardwalk Grille

7:30 Banquet (Swan Ball Room, Sands Hotel)

Saturday April 7th

7:30-8:30 Registration and Continential Breakfast

8:15 Welcome


13 April, 2018

8:35 Keynote Speaker: Kim de MutsertFinding beauty in an Urban Estuary

9:00 Diet analysis of juvenile weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) from the Delaware Bay using stable isotope and stomach content analysesBrian Galvez (Masters Student)

9:15 Innovative Approach to Removal of a Mill Dam to Provide Fish Passage - Design and Water Quality EffectsAmanda Poskaitis

9:30 Ciguatoxin Detection and Model Predictions for Use in Fisheries Management in Puerto RicoHenry Raab (PhD Student)

9:45 Local Environmental Science vs Politics and MoneyHarriette Phelps

10:00 Ignite Talks Session C

Innovative Approach to Removal of a Mill Dam to Provide Fish Passage – Effects on Fish and Riparian AreasKatherine Phillips

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) movements in the mid-AtlanticAndrew McGowan

Assessing coastal carbon variability under different environmental parameters in two Delaware tidal marshesKari St. Laurent

Two Years Later: Monitoring the Response of Estuarine Wetlands to Anthropogenic Disturbances at the St. Jones ReserveChristina Whiteman

Microbiome analysis of the native marsh grass, Spartina alterniflora and the invasive marsh grass, Phragmites australisLathadevi Karuna Chintapenta

Starvation-Resistance and Body Size Gradients in a Range Expanding Fiddler CrabDanielle Doucette

10:45 Break

11:00 Keynote Speaker: Leila HamdanVenerable, Vizzini, and a Volunteer

11:25 Modeling carbon cycling in salt marshes as a driver of marsh resilience to sea level riseMary Zawatski (Masters Student)


14 April, 2018

11:40 Response of Tidal Wetlands to Rising Sea Level in Three Estuaries along the U.S. Southeast Atlantic CoastElena Solohin (PhD Student)

11:55 Modeling of complex flow patterns across a large estuarine and tidal wetland complex in southern Dorchester County, MDBlake Clark (PhD Student)

12:10 Land Use Impacts on Mineral Sediment Delivery and Accretion Rates in Tidal Wet Elise Rodriguez (Masters Student)

12:25 Effect of salinity on germination and growth of two salt-tolerant species – salt marsh mallow and switchgrassEmily Long (PhD Student)

12:40 It’s what’s on the inside that counts: Salinity and herbivory effects on Spartina alterniflora chemistrySerina Wittyngham (PhD Student)

12:55 Monitoring water quality and managing anthropogenic inputs for a quarter cen-tury (1992-2017) in the Pettaquamscutt Estuary (RI) plus comparisons to Lower Narragansett Bay and 1970’s data.Veronia Berounsky

1:10 Student Awards

1:30 Closing Remarks

2:00 - 5:00 Field Trips

Field Trip 2: Boat Tour of Rehoboth and Indian River Bays, Rehoboth Beach ($20)Field Trip 3: Tour of Prime Hook NWR Tidal marsh Restoration Project ($0)Field Trip 4: Kayak Tour of Broadkill River ($0)

Flash from the Past: Recieving the Venerable clam


15 April, 2018

Posters(Alphabetical by presenter, *Presenting Author)

Diatom community composition shifts in the nitrogen-limited Mid-Atlantic BightAbdala, Zuzanna M.*, Sveinn V. Einarsson, Kimberly Powell, Peter W. Bernhardt, Brittany Widner, P. Dreux Chappell (Masters Student)

Seasonal variations in mucosal lectin expression in the oyster Crassostrea virginicaAllam, Simon*, Allam, Bassem, Pales Espinosa, Emmanuelle (Undergraduate Student)

Assessing Behavioral Responses of Two Invasive Crabs after Exposure to a Microphallid TrematodeBarnard, Rebecca* and April MH Blakeslee (Masters Student)

Genotypic filtering selects for altered Spartina alternifloraBauer, Caitlin*, Melissa K. McCormick, Linda A. Deegan, J. Adam Langley, Thomas J. Mozdzer (Masters Student)

Below ground biomass of marshes in Currituck Sound, North CarolinaBlackburn, Charles* (Undergraduate Student)

Assessing Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica Growth and Sustainability and Performance of Aquaculture Gear in the Delaware Inland BaysBradley, Jillian*, Scott Borsum, Melanie Fuoco, Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay (Undergraduate Student)

Influence of Parasites on Predator-Prey Relationships in NC EstuariesBrothers, Christofer* and April MH Blakeslee

A Glimpse into the Future: Citizen Science Water-Level Photo and Data Collection with NC King Tides ProgramBrown, Charlotte* (Masters Student)

Evaluating Techniques for Growing Juvenile Alewife Floater Mussels (Utterbackiana implicata) in the Delaware EstuaryChong, Ashley*, Danielle Kreeger, Kurt Cheng, Angela Padeletti

Conversion of Dredged Sediment to Wetland Soils: Biogeochemical ObservationsCornwell, Jeffrey*, Michael Owens, Lorie Staver, J. Court Stevenson

Comparison of Techniques to Quantify SeagrassCrawford, Maurice* and Anthony Osodi

Marsh Response to Sea Level Rise in Currituck Sound, North CarolinaDame, James K.* and Heather L. McGuire

Evaluating Vegetation Metric Correlations to Refine Coastal Wetland Assessment MethodsDemberger, Sandra* and LeeAnn Haaf

Studying the Effects of N Enrichment on Decomposition in a New England Salt MarshDrew, Sophie* and Paige Weber (Undergraduate Student)


16 April, 2018

The Detection and Quantification of River Herring in NC Watersheds Using Environmental DNADworkin, Sarah*, Chequita Brooks, Roger Rulifson, Michael Brewer, Erin Field

Temporal and Spatial Variation of the Suspended Particulate Organic Matter C and N Stable Isotopes Compositions in the Maryland Coastal BaysEdje, Blessing* (PhD Student)

Marine debris in salt marshes and related impacts to the feeding ecology of Uca pugilatorErtel, Bonnie* (Undergraduate Student)

Salt marsh response and resilience to sea-level rise on Virginia’s Eastern ShoreFlester, Jessica*, Jessica A. Flester, Linda K. Blum, John H. Porter, Arthur C. Schwarzschild (Masters Student)

Effects of Eastern Oyster aquaculture leases on in situ microplankton diversity and abun-danceGaston, Kimberly*, Dr. Elizabeth S. Darrow, Dr. J. Craig Bailey (Undergraduate Student)

Nitrogen Enrichment Alters Carbon Fluxes in a New England Salt MarshGeoghegan, Emily*, Joshua Caplan, Paige Weber, Caitlin Bauer, Thomas Mozdzer (Masters Stu-dent)

Crassostrea virginica spat survey of St. Mary’s River: The production of historic vs constructed oyster reefsGiitter, Margaret* and Dr. Robert Paul (Undergraduate Student)

Stable Isotope Analysis of the Nitrate Sources to the St. Mary’s River, MDGreen, Emma* (Undergraduate Student)

Cellularly Understanding Chamaecyparis thyoides Resiliency to Salinity IntrusionGulledge, Olivia* (Masters Student)

The Effect of Land Use on Atmospheric CO2Hee, Joseph* and Gulnihal Ozbay (Undergraduate Student)

The effects of soil microbiota associated with invasive Avicennia germinans on decomposition rates in Atlantic salt marshes.Hyde, Charles*, Samantha Chapman, J. Adam Langley (Masters Student)

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in the Tidal Freshwater Potomac River: Synthesis of Data and Index of Biotic Integrity InitiativeJones, R. Chris* and Amy Fowler

Shellfish mariculture nutrient removal: scaling physiology to farmKinsella, Jessica*, Dr. Elizabeth Darrow, Dr. Joao Ferreira, Dr. Aswani Volety, Dr. Martin Posey (Masters Student)

Effects of Phragmites australis invasion and global change on decomposition in a brackish salt marshLaske, Jennifer* and Thomas Mozdzer (Undergraduate Student)


17 April, 2018

Assessing Parasitism of the Eastern Mud Snail Ilyanassa obsoleta residing in habitats frequented by Invasive Alga Gracilaria vermiculophyllaLee, Timothy* and April MH Blakeslee (PhD Student)

Impacts of oyster Crassostrea virginica aquaculture on seasonal zooplankton abundance and diversity in Masonboro Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, North CarolinaManuel, Emily*, Elizabeth S. Darrow, Jessie C. Jarvis, Robert H. Condon (Undergraduate Student)

Using Parasite Diversity in a Common Host Fish to Evaluate Anthropogenic ImpactMoore, Christopher* and April MH Blakeslee (PhD Student)

Increasing complexity of sediment flux models to quantify the effect of marsh sediment and pore water sorption processesMorrissette, Hannah* (Masters Student)

Coastal Ocean Health: Assessing Threats to Marine Water Quality Offshore of the DelMarVa PeninsulaO’Neil, Judith*, Catherine Wazniak

Nitrogen removal via denitrification in restored Chesapeake Bay oyster reefsOwens, Michael*, Jeffrey Cornwell, Melanie Jackson, Lisa Kellogg

Outreach Activities and Public Education on Wetlands and EstuariesOzbay, Gulnihal*, Scott Borsum, Melanie Fuoco, Petrina McKenzie-Reynolds, Lathadevi Karuna Chintapenta

Can fertilizer grow worms in a saltmarsh?Pant, Manisha* and David S Johnson

Relationship of Wind, Tides, Pressure, and Current Velocity in the Little Egg InletPfander, Mark* and Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert (Undergraduate Student)

Chemical Gradients in the Mullica River-Great Bay EstuaryPlummer, Sarah*, Evan Lechner, Stephanie Peart, Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert (Undergraduate Student)

Patterns of coastal wetland vegetation loss in Mid-Atlantic estuariesRaper, Kirk*, Elisabeth Powell, Elizabeth B. Watson

Above Ground Biomass of Marshes in Currituck Sound, North CarolinaRichards, Tyler* (Undergraduate Student)

Creating Flow Regugia in the tidal Freshwater Delaware River to Augment and Restore Freshwater Mussel PopulationsRoberts, Spencer*, Joshua Moody, Kurt Cheng, Danielle Kreeger

CSI Oyster: A Citizen Science Initiative in Global Change BiologySchatz, Annie* and Emily B. Rivest (Masters Student)

The effects of a bacteria-produced algicide on non-target animal speciesSimons, Victoria*, Timothy E. Targett, Kathryn J. Coyne, Jonathan H. Cohen (Masters Student)

Regional comparisons of carbon burial within tidal creek marshes in southeastern North CarolinaSmith, Alexander*, Jill Arriola, Jaye E. Cable (Undergraduate Student)


18 April, 2018

Comparison of Methods to Break Seed Dormancy in Salt-Marsh MallowSpady, Katherine* and Linda Blum (Undergraduate Student)

Larval supply and spat settlement of the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica in Mullica River, New JerseyThompson, Christine*, Jessica Baez, Alexandra Blanchet, Katherine Mitchell

How Parasite Diversity can be used to evaluate Environmental Health of an EcosystemWalker, Kathleen*, Chris Moore, April MH Blakeslee (Undergraduate Student)

Detecting Harmful “Algae” in Maryland LakesWazniak, Catherine*, Chris Luckett, Charlie Poukish, Rick Stumpf, Blake Schaeffer

Flash from the Past: Halloween AERS style


19 April, 2018

Upgoer Style PostersLong-term variation in physical water quality parameters in relation to spring and neap tidal cyclesBorsum, Scott* and Gulnihal Ozbay (Masters Student)

Towards Development of Environmental Criteria for Siting of Bivalve Mariculture in ReservesDarrow, Elizabeth*, Suzanne Bricker, Troy Alphin, Martin Posey, Susanne Brander

Sick green under water ground cover and the small animals that try to call them home.Lacey, Elizabeth*

Do Plant-soil Feedbacks Contribute to the Invasiveness of Phragmites australis?Lee, Sean* and Adam Langley

Finding Sounds of Animals in the Water with A Sound Wave ThingLuczkovich, Joseph*

A Comparison of eDNA and Video Surveillance as Alternative Sampling Methods for River Herring StudiesMelton, Jessamine* and Kim De Mutsert (Masters Student)

Stupid ass water bodies kill wet landsPowell, Elisabeth* (Masters Student)

More food causes less air under waterReilly, Erin* and LeeAnn Haaf

Biological Implications of Beach ReplenishmentReilly, Jr, Francis J.*, Deborah M. Landy-Cobb, Vincent J. Bellis

Quantifying sedimentation rates and sediment sources in the upper Chesapeake Bay (USA)Russ, Emily* and Cindy Palinkas (PhDs Student)

Shit Eating Green LifeSophia, Courtney* and Elizabeth Watson (Undergraduate Student)

A comparison of microplastics in the digestive tracts of three mesohaline fish speciesSteppe, Cecily N.* and Katelyn Shinavski


20 April, 2018

Keynote Speakers(Alphabetical by presenter)

Dr. Kim de Mutsert

Saturday April 7th at 8:35

Dr. Kim de Mutsert is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University, and Associate Director of Research at the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center. She received an MS in Biology at the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at Louisiana State University. Her research interests include fish ecology in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, and ecosystem-based fisheries management. She studies the effects of environmental factors and anthropogenic impacts on fish abundance, biomass, community structure, and fisheries landings using end-to-end model simulations, large existing datasets, field surveys, and lab studies.

Title: Finding beauty in an Urban Estuary

Abstract: Estuarine and tidal freshwater ecosystems often receive treated wastewater, which, historically, has resulted in the eutrophication of many valuable habitat areas. In the Potomac River, the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, extensive eutrophication persisted until the 1970s, when active reductions in point-source phosphorus and nitrogen loading in wastewater treatment were made. In addition to point-source pollution, non-point source pollution is prevalent in urbanized estuaries. With the densely populated northern Virginia to the West, and Washington DC to the East, how does the freshwater tidal portion of the Potomac River fare? Have reductions in point-source N and P loading had any effect? Could any fish thrive in such an area? If these habitats are not pristine, would any management action beyond extensive habitat restoration have any effect on fish populations? Find out in this synopsis of the threats, solutions, and surprising beauty of the urbanized freshwater tidal environment of the Potomac River.


21 April, 2018

Dr. Jack Gallagher

Friday April 6th at 8:50

Jack Gallagher is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Delaware. He earned his BS in agriculture in 1957 and a MS in 1959 from the University of Delaware (UD). He taught math and sciences at West Nottingham Academy from 1959 to 1968. While there, he took classes at the UD, Bowdoin College, and University of California, Berkley. He returned to UD as an instructor and completed a PhD at the University of Delaware in 1971. He joined the staff of the University of Georgia (UGA) Marine Institute where he immersed himself in marsh mud and the plants that grow in it. He spent his last three years at UGA on loan to EPA as an interagency personnel act in Corvallis, Oregon assisting with their wetlands program before returning to UD as an Associate Professor in 1980, where he has been ever since. When he got too old to wallow in the mud he turned his attention to using halophytes to solve problems in the more stable uplands. These were often related to human activity and needs, as well as climate change. He never really worked after he left the dairy farm in 1953.

Title: Maintaining Economic and Ecological Functions of Land Impacted by Sea-level Rise.

Abstract: Rising temperatures and sea levels are creating socio-economic and ecological problems worldwide. Unless dikes are built the ecotone migrates inland. Where wildlands are involved often the invasive exotic strain of Phragmites spreads. When corn and soybeans die Phragmites often invades the nutrient-rich open soil and spreads to cropland and marshland. Wildland buffers are disappearing adjacent to coastal land developed for housing, commercial, and recreational use. We must begin an ordered slow retreat to higher ground that maintains economic and buffer functions of the ecotone between land and the saline water of the estuary/sea. It is important to simultaneously facilitate the transition of a particular elevation zone to one of a community more tolerant to higher salinity and poorer drainage and to refresh the buffering capacity of that zone. The first goal can be achieved by changing the species of plants grown in the zone either by planting or by having the current species act as nurse crop for the establishment of wild seed supplies of the more tolerant species. The goal of refreshing the buffering capacity can be achieved by harvesting the plants and using them for economic ventures. Halophytes from the wetlands can be used to achieve these goals.


22 April, 2018

Dr. Leila J. Hamdan

Saturdy April 7th at 11:00

Leila is an Associate Professor of Marine Microbial Ecology in the School of Ocean Science and Technology at the University of Southern Mississippi. She received her BS in Biology from Rowan University of New Jersey, and a MS and PhD from George Mason University. Prior to joining the faculty at USM, she was a Research Microbial Ecologist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and an Assistant Professor at George Mason University. Leila’s studies center on microbial biogeography on continental margins, and microbial – hydrocarbons interactions in marine and coastal environments. Her research addresses how microorganisms can identify changing environmental conditions. She was the lead PI of a NOPP 2017 Excellence in Partnering Award winning study, which examined of the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon spill on historic deep-sea shipwrecks. Leila is Co-Chair of CERF’s 2019 Biennial Conference, and has served AERS in many roles from

Student Representative to President.

Title: Venerable, Vizzini, and a Volunteer

Abstract: At each meeting, one member of AERS is presented with an award in the form of a carbonate shell to commemorate their contributions to the Society. The presentation of the award is completed with a knuckle salute from all members present, accolades, and commentary on the “venerable” characteristics of the member under scrutiny. The evaluation criteria for this award are more condoned than codified, and the review panel and process loosely structured. Even with the ambiguity behind the award, members strive, often for decades, to achieve this high honor through their acts of serial volunteerism, predictable meeting attendance, and donations of squeaky wheels. This presentation will reflect on the meaning and use of the words “Venerable” and “Volunteer” in the AERS lexicon, and how both can shape an AERSian’s career.


23 April, 2018

Dr. Brandon Jones


Brandon Jones is the Program Director for the education and diversity efforts in the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Geosciences Directorate. Brandon joined NSF after serving almost 13 years as a grants and fellowships Program Manager at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At NSF, he oversees programs that focus on undergraduate and graduate workforce preparation for the Geosciences and supports initiatives related to increasing diversity, inclusion and belonging in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Brandon received a BA in biology from The Lincoln University (PA) in 1991 and his MS and PhD degrees in Marine Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment in 1994 and 2003 respectfully. He taught five years of high school science in the interim between his MS and PhD matriculation. Brandon currently serves on the board of directors for the American Geophysical Union and the Environmental Leadership Program. He is also a member of the Dean’s Advisory

Council for the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment. He continues to be an active mentor for under-involved students interested in STEM.

Title: It’s All Good: The Reciprocity of Diversity in STEM

Abstract: Diversity is a vital priority that promotes innovation and strengthens a community’s resiliency. The lack of diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines is not a new development and the geosciences continue to lag other STEM disciplines in this area. The main aspects of diversity including the engagement, recruitment and retention of individuals from traditionally under-involved and underserved communities is particularly prominent in the realm of geoscience education and training. Many current and historical geoscience funding efforts have focused on increasing the numbers of participants from the above-mentioned groups but the stories about drop-out rates is commonplace. Preparation of the future professional geoscience workforce includes increasing the pool of educated, well-qualified individuals, but it should also include efforts to develop and sustain supportive learning, research and professional environments to retain said individuals.


24 April, 2018

Dr. Daphne Munroe


Daphne Munroe is a member of the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and shellfish ecologist at the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at Rutgers University. She earned a BS in Environmental Science at Simon Fraser University in 2000, and a PhD in Animal Science at the University of British Columbia in 2006. As a JSPS PostDoctoral Fellow, she spent nearly two years in Sapporo, Japan studying intertidal community ecology at Hokkaido University, before returning to North America. After teaching courses in Invertebrate Zoology, Biostatistics and Shellfish Aquaculture at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada), Daphne moved to New Jersey to continue her research on shellfish fisheries and aquaculture. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor in Marine and Coastal Sciences at Rutgers. Her research focuses on the ways that we can achieve sustainable management of coastal and marine resources such as shellfish fisheries and aquaculture.

Title: Shellfish and Larval Estuarine Ecology: Reckoning Progress over the Past Half Century

Abstract: We have come a long way in the fields of shellfish and larval ecology since the early 1800’s when J.V. Thompson, a plankton net pioneer, coined the term metamorphosis and made the careful observations that illuminated larval forms as oddly shaped early life stages of common marine invertebrate species. Over the past seven decades that AERS has been a society, great advancement has been made in these fields. One of our Venerable forefathers, Melbourne Carriker, gave some thoughtful insight about how best to advance these fields and what research gaps should be filled. In some cases, we remain faced with the same challenges he identified half a century ago, whilst in others we are light years ahead on the issues he laid out. I will explore two of these research needs identified decades ago, contrasting a case where we languish in a place where advancement has been slow with another where we have made astounding gains. This contrast will be illustrated with examples from local research in and around Delaware Bay on shellfish and their associated larvae.


25 April, 2018

Dr. Rober Orth

Friday April 6th, 3:35

Dr. Robert J. Orth (Bob or JJ) is a professor, and currently Chair, of Marine Science in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), School of Marine Science, College of William and Mary. He received his bachelors from Rutgers University (1969), Masters in Marine Science from the University of Virginia (1971) and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Maryland (1975). He has been involved in seagrass research in the Chesapeake Bay region since 1969 and Australia since 1996. His current emphasis is on habitat restoration and conservation and understanding the principles and processes governing the persistence, alterations, and dynamics of these plant communities. One of his signature accomplishments has been leading a team of scientists in one of the largest and most successful seagrass restoration projects in the world in the seaside lagoons of Virginia’s Delmarva Peninsula. Bob is also head of the VIMS program that maps underwater grasses baywide annually. Annual results from this mapping program are used by the federal government, as well as state entities in Virginia and Maryland, to help evaluate the success of Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts. He is heavily involved with management agencies in the development of policies and laws governing the protection of these important underwater grasses in Chesapeake Bay and the Coastal Bays. He recently received the award as one of Virginia’s Outstanding Scientists for 2018.

Title: Seagrasses: A half-century along the path from obscurity to mainstream

Abstract: Seagrasses create a foundational coastal habitat that provides numerous benefits and services to society. Seagrass species are also sentinels of environmental change due to their sensitivity to water quality, shoreline development, land use alterations, and global warming. However, as late as the 1960s very little was known about seagrass biology and ecology with much of the early seagrass work being very descriptive. In some areas of the world, seagrasses were considered more a nuisance, with some people and agencies using herbicides to get rid of them. Fast forward to today and these seagrasses are now considered a key sentinel in estuaries and coasts around the world with publications spanning mechanistic and manipulative research in many different disciplines. Most importantly, seagrasses are the proverbial ‘canary in the coal mine’, because of their sensitivity to changes in water quality. As such, seagrasses have recently been deeply integrated into regional regulations and annual assessments of management outcomes, restoration efforts, the scientific literature, and popular media coverage. Even so, seagrasses face many historical and emerging challenges, including rising sea levels and higher temperatures, variability in precipitation driven by climate change, poor water clarity, invasive species, overfishing, and increasing shellfish aquaculture..


26 April, 2018

Past PresidentsYear President Location

1949 S L.E. Cronin Morehead City, NC

1949 F L.E. Cronin Gloucester Pt., VA

1950 S L.E. Cronin Solomons, MD

1950 F W. van Engel Gloucester Pt., VA

1951 S W. van Engel Beaufort, NC

1951 F D.E. Carritt Annapolis, MD

1952 S D.E. Carritt Solomons, MD

1952 F J.L. McHugh Gloucester Pt., VA

1953 S J.L. McHugh Morehead City, NC

1953 F J.B. Engle Annapolis, MD

1954 S J.B. Engle Solomons, MD

1954 F G.R. Lunz Williamsburg, VA

1955 S G.R. Lunz Beaufort, NC

1955 F T.R.Rice Annapolis, MD

1956 S T.R.Rice Mattamuskeet, NC

1956 F J.D. Andre ws Solomons, MD

1957 S J.D. Andre ws Gloucester Pt., VA

1957 F R. Mansueti Beaufort, NC

1958 S R. Mansueti Annapolis, MD

1958 F F.C. Daiber L ewes, DE

1959 S F.C. Daiber Solomons, MD

1959 F F.A. Aldrich Virginia Beach, VA

1960 S F.A. Aldrich Mattamuskeet, NC

1960 F A.B. Williams Ocean City, MD

1961 S A.B. Williams Philadelphia, PA

1961 F M.R. Carricker Old Pt. Comfort, VA

1962 S M.R. Carricker Beaufort, NC

1962 F J.D. Costlow Ocean City, MD

1963 S J.D. Costlow Hampton, VA

1963 F W.J. Hargis Mor ehead City, NC

1964 S W.J. Hargis Jekyll Is., GA

1964 F J. Carpenter Towson, MD

1965 S J. Carpenter Newark, DE

1965 F D.G. Cargo Hampton, VA

1966 S D.G. Cargo Morehead City, NC

1966 F J.D. Williams College Park, MD

1967 S J.D. Williams Newark, DE

1967 F M. Castagna Annapolis, MD

1968 S M. Castagna Hampton, VA

Year President Location

1968 F J.W. Angelovic Atlantic Beach, NC

1969 S J.W. Angelovic Ocean City, MD

1969 F R.C. Whaley Rehobeth Beach, DE

1970 S R.C. Whaley Hampton, VA

1970 F A. J. McErlean Easton, MD

1971 S A. J. McErlean Atlantic Beach, NC

1971 F R.B.Williams ERF Adelphi College, NY

1972 S R.B.Williams Myrtle Beach, SC

1972 F W.B. Cronin Rehobeth Beach, DE

1973 S W.B. Cronin Chincoteague, VA

1973 F D.A, Flemer ERP Myrtle Beach, SC

1974 S D.A, Flemer St. Michaels, MD

1974 F J,A.Mihursky Beaufort, NC

1975 S J,A.Mihursky Annapolis, MD

1975 F R. Biggs ERF Galveston, TX

1976 S R. Biggs Rehobeth Beach, DE

1976 F A.J. Lippson Cape May, NJ

1977 S A.J. Lippson Virginia Beach, VA

1977 F E.P. Bauereis ERF Mt. Pocono, PA

1978 S E.P. Bauereis Atlantic Beach, NC

1978 F K.L. Beal Easton, MD

1979 S K.L. Beal Rehoboth Beach, DE

1979 F J.N. Kraeuter ERF Jekyll Is., GA

1980 S J.N. Kraeuter Annapolis, MD

1980 F N.K. Mountford Virginia Beach, VA

1981 S N.K. Mountford Wrightsville Beach, NC

1981 F R.E. Ulanowicz ERF Gleneden Beach, OR

1982 S R.E. Ulanowicz Baltimore, MD

1982 F R.R. Christian Richmond, VA

1983 S R.R. Christian Cape May, NJ

1983 F R.R. Christian ERF Virginia Beach, VA

1984 S R.R. Christian Atlantic Beach, NC

1984 F V.S. Kennedy Salisbury, MD

1985 S V.S. Kennedy Gloucester Pt., VA

1985 F V.S. Kennedy ERF Durham, NH

1986 S V.S. Kennedy Cape Henlopen, DE


27 April, 2018


1986 F M.L. O’Malley Topsail Beach, NC

1987 S M.L. O’Malley St. Michaels, MD

1987 F M.L. O’Malley ERF New Orleans, LA

1988 S M.L. O’Malley Hampton, VA

1988 F F. Holland Solomons, MD

1989 S F. Holland Beaufort, NC

1989 F F. Holland ERF Baltimore, MD

1990 S F. Holland Gloucester PT, VA

1990 F C. Jones Cape May, NJ

1991 S C. Jones St. Michaels, MD

1991 F C. Jones ERF San Francisco, CA

1992 S C. Jones Gloucester PT, VA

1992 F F. Reilly Cape May, NJ

1993 S F. Reilly Chalottesville, VA

1993 F F. Reilly ERF Hilton head, SC

1994 S F. Reilly Atlantic City, NJ

1994 F B. Diaz Ocean City, MD

1995 S B. Diaz Solomons, MD

1995 F B. Diaz ERF Corpus Christi, TX

1996 S B. Diaz Hampton, VA

1996 F B. Paul Pine Knoll Shores, NC

1997 S B. Paul Cape Charles, VA

1997 F B. Paul ERF Providence, RI

1998 S B. Paul Beaufort, NC

1998 F L. Blum Stone Harbor, NJ

1999 S L. Blum Gloucester PT, VA

1999 F L. Blum ERF New Orleans, LA

2000 S L. Blum Wilmington, NC

2000 F S. Hales Edgewater, MD

2001 S S. Hales Norfolk, VA

2001 F S. Hales ERF St Pete Beach, FL

2002 S S. Hales Lewes, DE

2002 F S. Fuller St. Mary’s, MD

2003 S S. Fuller Atlantic Beach, NC

2003 F S. Fuller ERF Seattle, WA

2004 S S. Fuller Salisbury, MD

2004 F C. Swarth Lyndhurst, NJ

2005 S C. Swarth Solomons, MD

2005 F C. Swarth ERF Norfolk, VA


2006 S C. Swarth Philadelphia, PA

2006 F D. Yozzo Catonsville, MD

2007 S D. Yozzo Pine Knoll Shores, NC

2007 F D. Yozzo ERF Providence, RI

2008 S D. Yozzo Lewes, DE

2008 F L. Hamdan Fairfax, VA

2009 S L. Hamdan Ocean City, MD

2009 F L. Hamdan CERF Portland, OR

2010 S L. Hamdan Atlantic City, NJ

2010 F P. Straub Kitty Hawk, NC

2011 S P. Straub Solomons, MD

2011 F P. Straub CERF Daytona Beach, FL

2012 S P. Straub Cape May, NJ

2012 F M. Brush Chincoteague, VA

2013 S M. Brush Williamsburg, VA

2013 F M. Brush CERF San Diego, CA

2014 S M. Brush Ocean City, MD

2014 F T. Smith Grayson Galloway, NJ

2015 S T. Smith Grayson Wanchese, NC

2015 F T. Smith Grayson CERF Portland, OR

2016 S T. Smith Grayson Virginia Beach, VA

2016 F D. Kreeger Catonsville, MD

2017 S D. Kreeger St. Mary’s, MD

2017 F D. Kreeger CERF Providence, RI

2018 S D. Kreeger Rehoboth Beach, DE


28 April, 2018

Full Sponsors

HENSON SCHOOL OFSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Other Sponsors

Department of Biological Sciences

O’Brien & GereSea Grant New Jersey

Delaware Center for the Inland BaysDelaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

Institute of Marine and Environmental TechnologyWilliam and Mary Coastal System Ecology and Modeling Program

Office of the ProvostDept. of Biology

Inst. For CoastalScience & Policy

Atlantic Estuarine Research Society 2018 meeting/AERS Pr… · Atlantic Estuarine Research Society...

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