C-MORE Scholars’ Projects: Fall 2015–Spring 2016

Photo of Fall 2014-Spring 2015 C-MORE Scolars.

The Fall 2015–Spring 2016 C-MORE Scholars & Affiliates. Front row, left to right: Diamond Tachera, Lisa Hall, Jazmine Panelo, Andrea Unzueta Martinez, Tati Oje, Barbara Bruno (Program Director). Second row, left to right: Jennifer Wong-Ala, Honour Booth, Crispin Nakoa, Devon Aguiar, Melanie Keliipuleole, Mikayla Jones. Third row, left to right: Heidi Needham and Sherril Leon Soon (Graduate Student Program Assistants). Not shown: Kamala Anthony, Kirena Clah, Stephanie Matthews. (Click on the image to see a larger version.)

Trainees

photo of Aka Beebe Aka Beebe
Global Environmental Science Senior, UH Mānoa

“The effect of Kānewai on Mānoa Stream”
Mentor: Rosie Alegado

Lo‘i kalo (taro cultivation using flood irrigation) is a unique part of the agroecosystem in parts of Hawai‘i. The purpose of this project is to explore how the Kānewai lo‘i kalo system, here on the campus of UH Mānoa, affects the water quality of Mānoa Stream. The main question is "Does lo‘i kalo provide ecosystem services which enhance the water quality to perpetuate a thriving ecosystem?” Water samples collected from the stream and lo‘i (irrigated terrace) will be processed to collect information on dissolved nutrients and sediment load. Storm events cause streams to swell with runoff that is typically polluted with high sediment and nutrient loads. If the polluted water is not remediated, it can have adverse effects on the coastal ecosystem that receives the stream’s outflow.

photo of Honour Booth Honour Booth
Associate of Science in Natural Science Sophomore, UH Kapi‘olani Community College

“Ho‘omalu Mai Ka Lā: An Assessment of the Presence, Distribution, and Possible Ecological Impact of Organic and Mineral Ultra-violet Filters on O‘ahu’s South Shore Marine Environments“
Mentor: Mackenzie Manning

O‘ahu’s south shore is heavily used by locals and tourists alike, all of whom have the same need to use sunscreen to protect themselves from harmful UltraViolet (UV) radiation. This study will investigate the effects, if any, of different types of sunscreen on O‘ahu’s south shore marine environment. The first part of the study will include a review the primary literature to identify known effects of organic (e.g., avobenzone and octocrylene) and mineral-based (e.g., zinc oxide) sunscreen ingredients on the biota in exposed ecosystems. The review will focus on single-celled organisms, coral and other invertebrates, and humans. We will also test the most commonly used sunscreens for their degradation in seawater before and after sunlight exposure using absorbance spectrometry. These absorbance spectra will be compared to those of water samples taken at three (3) beach sites: Kaluaāhole Channel, Kaimana Beach, and Hanauma Bay. In the second part of this project, we will conduct laboratory experiments, exposing the glass sea anemone, Aptasia pallida (a marine invertebrate) to different organic and mineral-based sunscreens. The potential amount of sunscreens entering the environment will be estimated based on sales records from Walmart, Walgreen’s and ABC Stores — popular shopping centers for both locals and visitors — and also via a field survey of consumers at the above listed water sampling sites. We hypothesize that both organic- and mineral-based sunscreens are impacting the near-shore coral reef environment, and through this project hope to increase awareness of the direct impact that humans have on their surroundings and enlighten consumers about the products they are using.

photo of Crispin Nakoa Crispin Nakoa
Marine Science Senior, UH Hilo

“Rates of Photosynthesis and Calcification over an Environmental Gradient in Keaukaha, Hawai‘i”
Mentor: Steven Colbert

The increasing CO2 gas concentration in the atmosphere, due mainly to the use of fossil fuels, has a great effect on the ocean. Increasing atmospheric CO2 causes the sea water to become more acidic. This, in turn, decreases the concentration of carbonate ions present, as well as decreases the rate at which creatures can produce calcium carbonate hard parts. The Keaukaha coastline, Hilo, Hawai‘i, is full of rocky shorelines and low pH freshwater springs. I will be studying the impact of salinity on processes of photosynthesis, respiration, calcification, and dissolution by examining the total alkalinity (TA) and total CO2 (TCO2) of samples collected across a range of salinities. The processes of photosynthesis and respiration mainly affect TCO2 while the processes of calcification and dissolution mainly affect TA. On field days, samples will be collected in the early morning when the TA and TCO2 are expected to be higher. The data collected will be analyzed to determine the ratio of net primary production to net community calcification, which has a clear relationship to TA and TCO2. These results will be compared to a benthic survey of the sampling sites. This study will provide insight into the long-term effects of ocean acidification because the low pH freshwater springs simulate the change in pH of seawater that is possible in the near future.

photo of Jazmine Panelo Jazmine Panelo
Marine Science Senior, UH Hilo

“Quantification of Staphylococcus aureus in Puakō, Hawai‘i in association with sewage indicators”
Mentor: Tracy Wiegner

Puakō, Hawai‘i, is home to some of the richest coral reefs in the State of Hawai’i. The reefs are in “dire straights” according to a HDAR report, and anthropogenic threats such as cesspool leakage are thought to be contributing to their decline. Bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus are present in these waters and may originate from sewage. The Puakō community has expressed concern about the high occurrence of Staph infections in that area and wonders if these infections are related to sewage pollution. The community wants to know if Staphylococcus aureus is present and if so, how much of it is there and whether the source is sewage pollution. The goal of this study is to quantify the amount of S. aureus in the water and to determine if the source could be associated with sewage and/or whether it correlates with other water quality parameters. Water samples will be collected from the Puakō coastline during low tide. Then, they will be processed for fecal indicator bacteria and S. aureus. Testing for fecal indicator bacteria and S. aureus will provide the community with answers to their questions and help them protect the health of their community and environment. In addition, identified areas of high S. aureus concentrations around Hawai‘i island and statewide could reduce the amount of Staph infections through warnings and education outreach.

photo of Jazmine Panelo Andrea Unzueta-Martinez
Marine Biology Senior, UH Mānoa

“Probiotic interactions of Pseudoalteromonas rubra on Montipora capitata”
Mentor: Sean Callahan

My project focuses on the bacterium Pseudoalteromonas rubra, which has been shown to protect Montipora capitata (a reef-building coral) from infection by V. coralliilyticus, a rod-shaped bacterium. P. rubra inhibits the growth of V. coralliilyticus and is hypothesized to do this by the production of antibiotic compounds. Specifically, my project entails determining which genes are involved in the production of these antibiotics and if antibiotic production is involved in its ability to protect M. capitata from infection. To tackle this question, I am genetically manipulating P. rubra by using transposon mutagenesis to create mutants that lack inhibitory activity. I will extract the DNA of these mutants and eventually sequence them to determine the identity of the genes that were disrupted by the transposon, and are potentially responsible for the inhibitory activity of P. rubra.

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Interns

photo of Devon Aguiar Devon Aguiar
Marine Science Senior, UH Hilo

“Enterococcus Trends Along the Puakō Coastline”
Mentor: Tracy Wiegner

As a C-MORE Scholar, I will be conducting research within Puakō, a small community located on the leeward coast of Hawai‘i Island. Because no sewage lines are present, properties along the Puakō coastline utilize cesspools and septic tanks. However, sewage effluent from cesspools and septic tanks can seep into groundwater reservoirs and enter the marine environment through coastal groundwater discharge. To determine if sewage effluent is present in water bodies, fecal indicator bacteria species such as Enterococcus are commonly used. Earlier this year, we utilized the IDEXX Enteroalert method to quantify Enterococci concentrations. Despite its ease of use and low operating cost, highly variable results were obtained from this method. Because of this, an additional analysis method will be utilized for current and future samples. This method is called the EPA 1600 method, and utilizes an Enterococci selective filter. My current C-MORE project will compare the results of the IDEXX Enteroalert method with the EPA 1600 method. By comparing each method, I hope to provide supporting evidence for the detection of sewage pollution along the Puakō coastline. I also intend to share the results of this project to guide future water quality studies on Hawai‘i Island.

photo of Mikayla Jones Mikayla Jones
Marine Science Junior, UH Hilo

“Differentiation in Polymorphism between Benthic Gastropods Based on Environment”
Mentor: Marta deMaintenon

Gastropod molluscs are extremely important in marine ecosystems as predators and prey, especially on coral reefs. It is important to understand where these benthic organisms reside and how affect our coastal waters. Last year, we determined that there was a trend for certain polymorphisms on the leeward and windward sides of the Hawaiian Island but our sample size was not large enough to show statistical significance. Thus, this year our project focuses on continuing to increase sample size and emphasizes collection of environmental data with the hope of correlating certain factors and polymorphisms. Common environmental factors to be recorded are salinity, temperature, food source, and habitat. We will continue to study shallow water columbellids, a common and diverse family of marine neogastropod snail. Columbellids are small (most are less than 10 mm in length) and can be very common epibenthic carnivores in shallow marine systems. This study will focus on Mitrella fusiformis (Pease, 1868), one of the most common local columbellid species. To study these organisms, we will make collections in several locations around the Hawai‘i Island, where they are found typically in 1m depth water or less. Individual adult animals will be sexed, measured, and their shell color and pattern documented photographically using a dissecting stereomicroscope with camera. Most animals will be returned alive to their original habitat after data are collected. The resulting data set will allow us to investigate correlations between shell color and pattern, and factors including sex, substrate habitat, salinity, and location. The hope is to gain more insight into how these organisms interact with their habitats in our Hawaiian waters.

photo of Diamond Tachera Diamond Tachera
Geology and Geophysics Senior, UH Mānoa

“Experimental Investigation of Magmatic Processes at Volcan Quizapu”
Mentors: Julia Hammer and Emily First

Around the world, explosive volcanism can be deadly to the inhabitants of the regions surrounding volcanoes. The unexpected, enormous eruptions have caused devastation in the past, and will continue to do so in the future, given rates at which populations are growing. Minerals that formed through igneous processes can tell us a lot about the magma reservoirs of the volcanoes in which they originated. The cooling history of minerals is preserved in the textures of erupted materials, because the rate of cooling greatly affects the mineral composition and texture. In our research, we will be studying Volcan Quizapu, a stratovolcano located in central Chile, to better understand transitions in eruptive styles. Mineral composition and textural knowledge is useful to geologists because they are key to understanding magmatic processes and eruption triggers. Similar techniques can be used in magmas from volcanoes all over the world, including here in Hawai‘i.

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Fellows

photo of Kamala Anthony Kamala Anthony
Agriculture (Aquaculture specialization) Senior,
UH Hilo

“The Rehabilitation of Honokea Lokoi‘a at Waiuli in Keaukaha, Hawai‘i”
Mentor: Jason Adolf

Lokoi‘a (Hawaiian Fishponds) thrived productively and sustained large coastal communities for centuries in old Hawai‘i. What must I practice to bring lokoi‘a to a healthy and thriving status in our communities once again? The rehabilitation and protection of Honokea Lokoi‘a is a long-term study that strives to better understand the ecology of brackish water ecosystems of Keaukaha, Hawai‘i and their potential to support and guide lokoi‘a conservation research development in the Waiakea Ahupua‘a. These efforts include strong community involvement through education and outreach, water quality monitoring, fishpond restoration and maintenance, and historical cultural preservation.

photo of Kirena Clah Kirena Elana Clah
Marine Biology Senior, UH Mānoa

“Investigating CORK samples of deep ocean subsurface microbes using electron microscopy”
Mentor: Jackie Mueller

Investigations into the processes that sustain life include characterizing microbial communities that are an essential part of Earth’s ecosystems. This study focuses on the microbial community beneath the ocean’s crust. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) will be used to investigate the morphology of the microbial community, including prokaryotes and viruses. Samples were collected using Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kit (CORK) observatories, designed to be friendlier for fluid sampling and allows for the collection of deep subsurface sediment or seawater without contamination. This has allowed for a unique opportunity to study the microbial diversity within an ecosystem that remains unseen by human eyes.

photo of Lisa Hall Lisa Hall
Global Environmental Science Senior, UH Mānoa

“Exploring the Ecology of Reoccurring Associations between Eukaryotic Phytoplankton and the Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacterium, Trichodesmium”
Mentors: Shimi Rii and Matt Church

Nitrogen (N) is one of the basic elements of life; however, throughout much of the surface waters of the world’s oceans, inorganic nitrogen substrates (e.g. ammonium, nitrate or nitrite) are found in very low concentrations. A select group of organisms, diazotrophs, are able to assimilate nitrogen from the nearly inexhaustible pool of atmospheric nitrogen (N2 gas), by reducing N2 to biologically available forms. Our research will focus on the specific association between the N2-fixing cyanobacteria Trichodesmium and diatoms, a group of eukaryotic phytoplankton. Both Trichodesmium and various genera of diatoms are known to be important contributors to biogeochemical cycles in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean, including playing important roles in influencing biological carbon sequestration. We hypothesize that there is a potential symbiotic relationship between a specific group of diatoms and Trichodesmium in the surface waters at Station ALOHA. Station ALOHA is the field site for the Hawai‘i Ocean Time-series program located approximately 100 km north of the island of O‘ahu. We hope to infer connections between these organisms and their metabolic processes. We plan to measure possible N transfer between these two organisms using NanoSIMS (nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry), as well as determine the physical association using Confocal Microscopy (3-D imaging) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (for surface topography). If there were a symbiotic relationship, the association of these two organisms would have significant implications for the spatial and temporal cycling of nutrients and carbon in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean.

photo of Tatiana Oje Tatiana Oje
Civil and Environmental Engineering Junior,
UH Mānoa

“Eyes in the Sky: Catching Illegal Fishing from the Space Station”
Mentor: Margo Edwards

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is one of the biggest threats to fisheries in the Pacific Ocean. To combat IUU fishing in a region that covers approximately 165,000,000 sq. km of the Earth’s surface, it is necessary for patrol vessels to use technology that enable long range monitoring. The Automatic Identification System (AIS) electronically tracks vessel location and identity while at sea. The Global AIS on the Space Station (GLASS) project is an applied research and development initiative focused on enhancing maritime domain awareness worldwide. The GLASS project will install an AIS receiver on the International Space Station (ISS) to enable near real-time forwarding of AIS data to stations on the ground. Using data from the ISS, I will create an IUU fishing vessel-monitoring algorithm. I will begin by sampling data from exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Pacific region. Using AIS data from vessels in these areas, I will test several hypotheses in order to create metrics for suspicious ship behavior. For example, if a ship’s velocity drops and it begins to circle an area, they may have reached a fishing spot. If a ship’s AIS signal suddenly drops off the map at one location, then appears again on the other side of a foreign EEZ it could be an indicator that they illegally crossed into another country's territory. It is also known that sometimes trawling boats will have a distinctive track line. My goal is to create a product that filters legal activities and flags suspicious ship behavior to assist enforcement agencies.

photo of Jennifer Wong-Ala Jennifer Wong-Ala
Global Environmental Science Junior, UH Mānoa

“Population Connectivity of Reef Fish off the Coast of Hawai‘i Island”
Mentor: Anna Neuheimer

Connectivity estimates (which measure the exchange of individuals among populations) are necessary to create effective reserves for marine life. Connectivity is a combination of biology (e.g. spawning time) and physics (e.g. currents). My research will look at what roles physical and biological factors play in shaping connectivity among reef fish populations off Hawai‘i Island. Lau‘ipala (or Yellow Tang, Zebrasoma flavescens) will be used as a model species to explore biological vs. physical factors and explain reef fish connectivity. Lau‘ipala is a species of interest because it is the number one collected aquarium fish in Hawai‘i and, along with nine other species, comprises 73% of the total fish catch (Walsh et al. 2004), which totaled about US$1 million (Radway, 2008). In fall 2014 and spring 2015 we created an individual based model (IBM) in order to describe Lau‘ipala life history and behavior. The IBM has been coupled to a physical model of currents in the area to estimate how biology interacts with physics to result in connectivity among populations. We will now use our IBM to explore how biological factors (reproductive timing, larval duration, etc.) interact with physics to produce observations of population connectivity. We will compare our model results to genetic information collected by the Hixon Lab, including information on where parent-offspring pairs are found. Disentangling the factors controlling reef fish connectivity is necessary to improve conservation and management strategies. This will allow us to choose more effective conservation areas (e.g. marine protected areas) and management strategies (e.g. seasonal fisheries closures). Knowing how connectivity shapes populations can also help us predict how populations might change in the future.

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