Research Proposal Seminar - Terry Palmer

COASTAL AND MARINE SYSTEM SCIENCE PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - CORPUS CHRISTI

SUBJECT: The Role of Human Occupation on Marine Ecosystems in Antarctica

Increases in human visitation to Antarctica and consequent anthropogenic impacts over the last half century have increased concern about the marine environment. Localized contamination has been documented in the marine seafloor adjacent to several Antarctic research stations via dumping, runoff, or with treated or untreated sewage. This dissertation aims to fill some of the knowledge gaps regarding the anthropogenic effects of some contaminants on portions of marine systems including determining: 1) temporal changes in contaminants and subsequent anthropogenic effects at a heavily contaminated area, 2) bioaccumulation rates into some of the larger marine fauna, and 3) spatial changes in contaminants and subsequent anthropogenic effects adjacent to a smaller station. Benthic macrofauna will be used as indicators of anthropogenic effects because they are more abundant and diverse than any other macroscopic fauna adjacent to land in Antarctica. The conclusions of the dissertation based on the three field study chapters will be useful in determining the influence of research-related human occupation on the Antarctic marine environment.