Artificial radionuclides, induced in water used as a coolant in the Hanford reactors, are discharged into the Pacific Ocean by the Columbia River. Gamma-ray spectrometric measurements show that levels of 65Zn decrease in both sediments and benthic animals with distance from the mouth of the river and with depth of...
Macroinvertebrates constitute the backbone of megafaunal communities in benthic ecosystems around the globe. Many macroinvertebrates have vital roles in benthic ecosystems, ranging from enhancing habitat complexity to providing staple food sources for other organisms. Regardless of how familiar macroinvertebrates are to the general public, very few studies have attempted to...
The high productivity of Eastern Boundary Upwelling Ecosystems (EBUE), some of the most productive ecosystems in the globe, is attributed to the nutrient rich waters brought up through upwelling. Climate change scenarios for coastal upwelling systems, predict an intensification of coastal upwelling winds. Associated with intensification in upwelling are biogeochemical...
Foundation species are important components of ecosystems because they provide habitat and ameliorate stressful conditions for residents. This thesis considers the role of surfgrasses (Phyllospadix spp.) as dynamic foundation species on the coast of Oregon in two studies. Chapter 2, which presents an observational survey of two Phyllospadix congeners, investigates...
This report is concerned with environmental and animal internal temperatures in the intertidal zone at low tide. Daily sea surface temperatures at Agate Beach, Ore., are compared to weekly measurements made near-by. Greater range and fluctuations are revealed by daily measurements. Data are provided on animal internal temperatures at low...
The Galapagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador, have a spatially diverse marine environment suitable for a variety of species with different climatic requirements. A year-long inventory program was carried out in 2000-2001 to provide baseline data on the abundances and distribution of coastal fish and macro-invertebrates. The purposes...