Around the Reef By Rebecca Munday Communications Intern Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
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even science divers and one outreach specialist recently boarded the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster in Charleston, S.C. for the annual summer research expedition. The 8-day mission in August proved successful, with the science team completing more than 200 dives and amassing almost 100 hours of time on the ocean floor. Scientists from multiple organizations – Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Georgia Southern University, Appalachian State University, Savannah State University, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), and NOAA’s Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC) – participated, working alongside NOAA Corps officers and the crew and technicians of the Nancy Foster. During the science mission, researchers conducted many experiments both inside and outside of the sanctuary’s Research Area (RA). In late 2011, NOAA established the RA in Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary to increase scientists’ opportunity to understand natural ecological changes within the sanctuary versus changes caused by human activity. This year, scientists collected data by conducting what are called “community surveys.” In this scenario, they count the reef ’s benthic (bottom-dwelling) animals and fish at numerous sites, using stationary photo quadrats. Photo quadrats count the benthic animals using digital photography and subsequent image analysis. Scientists also studied the overall habitat by measuring reef characteristics such as ledge height. Studying the benthic habitat and fish in both parts of the sanctuary help scientists learn about how natural ocean processes, natural disasters such as hurricanes, and human activities affect the reef. In another project, Dr. Craig Aumack and Dr. Risa Cohen of Georgia Southern University collected samples of macroalgae from Gray’s Reef. Macroalgae, such as seaweed, can be seen with the naked eye. Their ongoing research provides data about the types and species of algae living in Gray’s Reef. For the past year or so, Gray’s Reef has been collaborating with Savannah Geiger, of Savannah State University, who is a fellow at NOAA’s Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center. Savannah is working in the area of microplastics. The expedition divers collected samples of water and sediment at the sanctuary. Savannah is analyzing the samples for microplastics, which are sesame-seed sized pieces or smaller of plastic. The tiny pieces of debris break off of larger plastic or come from health products such as toothbrushes and combs. Little is currently known about how microplastics affect marine life. Researching their presence in our waters will help scientists learn more about them and their effects on Gray’s Reef. The Gray’s Reef dive team also documented sightings of the invasive species, lionfish, which have no known predators in the South Atlantic other than man. As the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster set sail for home, expedition members reflected on wonders of the ocean and the beauty of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. To learn more about Gray’s Reef, visit the Facebook page graysreefsanctuary or the sanctuary’s website at graysreef.noaa.gov. November 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Science Team on the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster. Photo by Ben Prueitt, NOAA
Diver filming on the sanctuary sea floor. Photo by Greg McFall, NOAA
Sea star atop a sea urchin. Photo by Greg McFall, NOAA For Information contact Michelle Riley: michelle.riley@noaa.gov 9
