Coral reefs in Jobos Bay (National Estuarine Research Reserve) are under duress by anthropogenic as well as by natural stressors. The main purpose of this project is to implement the FORAM Index and to determine which factors play a seasonal role in the water quality of the reefs. This project is funded by Puerto Rico Sea Grant.
A comprehensive sediment geochemical study will be done and correlated to the new biotic data (nematodes). This assessment can indicate benthic conditions that are not monitored through routine water quality sampling yet affect organisms and ecosystem function in the St. Joseph Bay.
Florida State University
- Dr. Jeroen Ingles (meiofauna)
Florida A&M University
- Dr. Michael Martínez-Colón (trace metal geochemistry)
University of South Florida
- Dr. Henry Alegria (organic geochemistry)
Eckerd College
- Dr. Patrick Schwing (radiochemistry)
