From August 25 to August 31, NCCOS scientists will conduct field work offshore of Tinian, an island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a U.S. territory. This research will assess the extent and magnitude of pollution stressors and their effects on coral reefs. Working in collaboration with the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, the research team will collect water samples (for nutrient analysis) and coral tissue samples thatwill be analyzed for a broad suite of contaminants (PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, heavy metals). Coral stress will be measured using a genetic microarray technique. Funded by the NOAA Coral Program, these data will serve as an environmental baseline and will allow coastal managers to detect future change in the ecosystem.

For more information, contact Dave.Whitall@noaa.gov.