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St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Research programs have a primary focus of investigating processes related to coastal and marine environments and societal implications related to natural hazards, resource sustainability, and environmental change.

News

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Milton Beach Impacts

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Milton Beach Impacts

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Helene Beach Impacts

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Helene Beach Impacts

SPCMSC coral disease expert presents at an invitation-only international workshop to determine future research priorities for the field

SPCMSC coral disease expert presents at an invitation-only international workshop to determine future research priorities for the field

Publications

Predicting characteristic length scales of barrier island segmentation in microtidal environments

Segmented barrier islands can be found in regions with small tidal ranges. In contrast to tidally dominated barriers, where inlet dynamics are thought to control island length scales, the controls on barrier island length scales in wave-dominated environments have not been quantified. These microtidal barriers typically have a curved shoreline, suggesting the influence of wave-driven alongshore se
Authors
Rose Elizabeth Palermo, Andrew D. Ashton, Heidi M. Nepf, Mary Kule, Travis Swanson

Projected sea-level rise and high tide flooding at San Juan National Historic Site, Puerto Rico

IntroductionNational parks and preserves in the South Atlantic-Gulf Region contain valuable coastal habitats such as tidal wetlands and mangrove forests, as well as irreplaceable historic buildings and archeological sites located in low-lying areas. These natural and cultural resources are vulnerable to accelerated sea-level rise and escalating high tide flooding events. Through a Natural Resource
Authors
Hana R. Thurman, Nicholas M. Enwright, Michael J. Osland, Davina L. Passeri, Richard H. Day, Bethanie M. Simons

Large eddy simulation of cross-shore hydrodynamics under random waves in the inner surf and swash zones

A 3D large eddy simulation coupled with a free surface tracking scheme was used to simulate cross-shore hydrodynamics as observed in a large wave flume experiment. The primary objective was to enhance the understanding of wave-backwash interactions and the implications for observed morphodynamics. Two simulation cases were carried out to elucidate key processes of wave-backwash interactions across
Authors
Benjamin Tsai, Tian-Jian Hsu, Seok-Bong Lee, Maria Pontiki, Jack A. Puleo, Meagan E. Wengrove

Science

Cultural Heritage at Risk Tool (CHART) Project

Coastal erosion threatens the loss of Native American cultural heritage and archaeological sites located along our coastlines, reducing opportunities to increase knowledge of past communities and environments. This project leverages an advisory team of ancestral Tribes, coastal managers, and archaeologists to strengthen the effectiveness of coastal hazard data, focusing on assessing the...
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Cultural Heritage at Risk Tool (CHART) Project

Coastal erosion threatens the loss of Native American cultural heritage and archaeological sites located along our coastlines, reducing opportunities to increase knowledge of past communities and environments. This project leverages an advisory team of ancestral Tribes, coastal managers, and archaeologists to strengthen the effectiveness of coastal hazard data, focusing on assessing the...
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Antibiotic-Resistance Gene (ARG) Baselines

On Florida and Caribbean coral reefs, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has caused widespread destruction and loss of coral cover since its first appearance off the coast of Miami in 2014. So far, the only intervention found to be effective at halting progression of this disease and saving the lives of infected coral colonies is applying an amoxicillin paste , a type of antibiotic, to the...
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Antibiotic-Resistance Gene (ARG) Baselines

On Florida and Caribbean coral reefs, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has caused widespread destruction and loss of coral cover since its first appearance off the coast of Miami in 2014. So far, the only intervention found to be effective at halting progression of this disease and saving the lives of infected coral colonies is applying an amoxicillin paste , a type of antibiotic, to the...
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Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease – Investigating Possible Pathogens and Transmission Mechanisms

Coral disease was first documented on Florida reefs in the 1970s. Since then, outbreaks of diseases have increased, and disease is now one major reason why coral reefs worldwide are in decline. Although what causes most coral diseases is not known, the few with known causes have been linked to microorganisms, highlighting the need for studies of microbes associated with diseased corals.
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Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease – Investigating Possible Pathogens and Transmission Mechanisms

Coral disease was first documented on Florida reefs in the 1970s. Since then, outbreaks of diseases have increased, and disease is now one major reason why coral reefs worldwide are in decline. Although what causes most coral diseases is not known, the few with known causes have been linked to microorganisms, highlighting the need for studies of microbes associated with diseased corals.
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