Environmental Resources for roundtable discussion and press event on climate adaptation science and partnerships at the University of Puerto Rico
USGS scientist conducts biosurveillance for sea urchin killer in the Florida Keys
SPCMSC scientists to assess heat-stress impacts to corals in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, with the National Park Service
Sea urchin killer spreads to new species and new region
SPCMSC Updated Geologic Core and Sample Database now available
Sound Waves Newsletter: January-February 2024
Explore coastal and marine science from across the USGS
Explore coastal and marine science from across the USGS
Diadema antillarum Mass Mortality
How coral restoration could help mitigate the effects of sea-level rise
How coral restoration could help mitigate the effects of sea-level rise
USGS Participates in Unlearning Racism in Geoscience (URGE)
Scientists Present Recommendations for Improving Diversity in the USGS Workforce
Scientists Present Recommendations for Improving Diversity in the USGS Workforce
USGS scientists shade corals in emergency rescue effort
Discover Coastal and Marine Science of the USGS St. Petersburg
A new interactive geonarrative will take you on a guided journey to explore the research, capabilities, and history of the center
A new interactive geonarrative will take you on a guided journey to explore the research, capabilities, and history of the center
Explore the history of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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.
Science
Science
Read about our science projects, find out where we are working, and why it matters.
Publications
Publications
Peer-reviewed research results and conclusions, authored by Center scientists.
News
SPCMSC scientist interviewed about 2023 ocean heatwave that killed threatened elkhorn coral throughout Florida
SPCMSC scientist interviewed about 2023 ocean heatwave that killed threatened elkhorn coral throughout Florida
Coral Microbial Ecology Team Participates in Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) Restoration Expedition in the Gulf of Mexico
Coral Microbial Ecology Team Participates in Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities (MDBC) Restoration Expedition in the Gulf of Mexico
SPCMSC summer interns presented at University of South Florida 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
SPCMSC summer interns presented at University of South Florida 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
Publications
Projected sea-level rise and high tide flooding at Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida
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
Projected sea-level rise and high tide flooding at De Soto National Memorial, Florida
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
Signatures of wave erosion in Titan’s coasts
The shorelines of Titan’s hydrocarbon seas trace flooded erosional landforms such as river valleys; however, it is unclear whether coastal erosion has subsequently altered these shorelines. Spacecraft observations and theoretical models suggest that wind may cause waves to form on Titan’s seas, potentially driving coastal erosion, but the observational evidence of waves is indirect, and the proces
Science
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...
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.
Reef Metagenomics
In nature, microbes typically exist in communities made up of many different types of microorganisms (for example, bacteria, viruses, etc), all interacting with and influencing one another. Therefore, in order to understand the role that microbes play in an environment, it is often important to think of microbes operating as complex communities rather than as individual microorganisms.