Surfer science supports seawater study
Date:
April 7, 2022
Source:
University of Exeter
Summary:
Seawater samples taken from a surfboard have helped scientists
understand microscopic life in the waves, new research shows.
FULL STORY ========================================================================== Seawater samples taken from a surfboard have helped scientists understand microscopic life in the waves, new research shows.
========================================================================== Phytoplankton are at the base of ocean food chains, and nearshore
waters like the "surf zone" often contain the highest levels of these
tiny organisms.
However, sampling water in the surf zone is difficult, so data on some
aspects of this environment is scarce.
Dr Bob Brewin -- a surfer and scientist from the University of Exeter --
took to the waves to collect water samples to analyse seasonal changes
in phytoplankton.
And the research team -- led by Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory --
are working to gather more data from surfers, swimmers, kayakers and
others who use nearshore waters.
"Nearshore waters often have the highest levels of biodiversity in the
ocean," said Dr Brewin, of Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
========================================================================== "Phytoplankton are a very important component of that, but at present
we struggle to monitor seasonal and longer-term changes in nearshore phytoplankton concentrations.
"It's hard to take research vessels or build monitoring stations in
places where waves are constantly breaking, and this leaves key gaps in
our knowledge." The new study, based 67 samples taken by Dr Brewin off Bovisand Beach near Plymouth (UK) in a 12-month period, is intended as
a pilot to see if this citizen-science approach could be used more widely.
The samples were tested for chlorophyll-a concentration (a proxy of phytoplankton biomass) and compared with data from a recording station
about four miles offshore.
The results suggest phytoplankton levels nearshore and offshore are
similar in autumn, winter and spring.
========================================================================== However, in July and August phytoplankton biomass was much higher in
nearshore waters than offshore -- where levels dropped dramatically.
Dr Brewin said the likely cause of this is that the spring bloom of phytoplankton in offshore waters depletes chemical nutrients, and
these relatively stable waters don't churn enough over the summer to
replenish them.
Meanwhile, the constant motion of waves near the shore stirs up nutrients,
and together with nutrients from river run-off, this allows phytoplankton
to continue blooming.
Dr Brewin said more research is needed to test and confirm this
hypothesis, and to investigate the possible impacts of climate change
in nearshore waters.
"The timing and distribution of these blooms is critical for how energy
moves up the food web," he said.
"For example, fish larvae need that phytoplankton to feed -- if the
timing is just a little bit off, that can be devastating for the growth
of the larvae." Speaking about the use of surfers and other ocean
users as citizen scientists, he added: "If we start now, in 20 or 30
years we could have a really good understating of how climate change is impacting the nearshore environment." Lead author Elliot McCluskey said: "Surfers and other water sports enthusiasts are regularly going in and
out the ocean for fun, all around the world.
"Many have an intrinsic desire to protect the regions they inhabit. Our
work suggests they could to that by helping to understand the cycles
of life in the ocean." The research team included the University
of California, the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Nova Southeastern University.
Dr Brewin's work is funded by a UKRI Future Leader Fellowship.
========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Exeter. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.
========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Elliot McCluskey, Robert J. W. Brewin, Quinten Vanhellemont,
Oban Jones,
Denise Cummings, Gavin Tilstone, Thomas Jackson, Claire Widdicombe,
E.
Malcolm S. Woodward, Carolyn Harris, Philip J. Bresnahan,
Tyler Cyronak, Andreas J. Andersson. On the Seasonal Dynamics of
Phytoplankton Chlorophyll-a Concentration in Nearshore and Offshore
Waters of Plymouth, in the English Channel: Enlisting the Help of
a Surfer. Oceans, 2022; 3 (2): 125 DOI: 10.3390/oceans3020011 ==========================================================================
Link to news story:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220407101006.htm
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