The U.S. Government is closed. This site will not be updated; however NOAA websites and social media channels necessary to protect lives and property will be maintained. To learn more, visit www.commerce.gov. For the latest forecast and critical weather information, visit www.weather.gov. 

The U.S. government is closed. This site will not be updated; however, NOAA websites and social media channels necessary to protect lives and property will be maintained. To learn more, visit commerce.gov. 

For the latest forecasts and critical weather information, visit weather.gov.

Projects Explorer

The NCCOS Project Explorer provides a snapshot of our official, discrete lines of research.
Filter by research category, region, and/or contact.

Ecological Characterization of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Atlantic Ocean, Connecticut, Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments, ecological characterization, Gulf of Maine, Habitat Mapping, john.christensen@noaa.gov, Maine, Marine Spatial Ecology, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Protected Species, Stellwagen Bank National Marine sacntuary, tim.battista@noaa.gov, U.S. States and Territories, Waterbodies
We provided an ecological and oceanographic profile of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Gulf of Maine region, including analysis of pollution levels. The ...
Read More

Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina: Maps, Marshes, and Management Applications

Climate Impacts on Ecosystems, Coastal Change, david.kidwell@noaa.gov, gis, North Carolina, sea level rise, U.S. States and Territories
We are developing mapping and modeling tools to provide the North Carolina coastal management community the most up to date research on the effect of ...
Read More

Ecological Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Flood Protection and Blue Carbon Capture in Pacific Northwest Wetlands

blue carbon, Climate Impacts on Ecosystems, Coastal Change, Natural and Nature-based Features, Oregon, Sea Level Rise, sea level rise, trevor.meckley@noaa.gov, U.S. States and Territories, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, Washington
We will evaluate how restored and natural coastal wetlands buffer flooding impacts in Coos Bay (Oregon) and Grays Bay (Washington). Why We Care Increasing flood ...
Read More

Ecology, Integrity and Status of Caribbean Mesophotic Coral Reefs

Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Coral, coral, coral reef, Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments, kimberly.puglise@noaa.gov, Marine Spatial Ecology, marine spatial planning, MCEs, mesophotic, Other Topics, Puerto Rico, Regional Ecosystem Science, Sponsored Research, U.S. States and Territories, Waterbodies
We investigated Puerto Rico’s mesophotic coral ecosystems to better understand them and their relationship to shallower reefs. They are off the southwestern coast at depths ...
Read More

Economic Analysis of Shoreline Treatment Options for the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire

Amy.Freitag@noaa.gov, coastal communities, economic analysis, Ecosystem Services Valuation, GBNERR, Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, New Hampshire, sarah.gonyo@noaa.gov, sea level rise, shoreline armoring, shoreline management, shoreline protection, Social Science, U.S. States and Territories
Coastal communities in New Hampshire are experiencing an increase in significant weather events, such as flooding and erosion, due to sea level rise and climate ...
Read More

Economic Valuation of Shoreline Protection by Natural Infrastructure to a Coastal Community

Coastal Change, coastal community, Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments, Ecosystem Services Valuation, Jacques Cousteau NERR, Marine Spatial Ecology, matt.gorstein@noaa.gov, Natural and Nature-based Features, New Jersey, shoreline protection, Social Science, theresa.goedeke@noaa.gov, U.S. States and Territories
Natural infrastructure, such as seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and sand dunes can aid in protecting coastal communities. Without these natural defenses, storm surge, erosion, and ...
Read More

Ecophysiology and Toxicity of the Toxic Alga Heterosigma akashiwo in Puget Sound: A Living Laboratory Ecosystem Approach

Harmful Algal Bloom Detection and Forecasting, quay.dortch@noaa.gov, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, U.S. States and Territories, Washington
We are identifying toxins and environmental factors causing fish-killing blooms by the alga Heterosigma akashiwo in Puget Sound. We develop tools to improve monitoring, early ...
Read More

Ecosystem Based Management: An Analysis of National Needs and Opportunities

Assessing Human Use, Atlantic Ocean, Bering Sea, EBM, felix.martinez@noaa.gov, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), Marine Spatial Ecology, marine spatial planning, Maryland, Other Topics, Pacific Ocean, Planning, Regional Ecosystem Science, Social Science, Sponsored Research, U.S. States and Territories, Waterbodies
Ecosystem based management (EBM) is a holistic, adaptive approach to developing policies that ensure ecosystem sustainability, food and water security, and improve human health outcomes ...
Read More

Ecotoxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Fluorine-Free Fire Fighting Foams in Estuarine Organisms

Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, estuaries, Fire Fighting Foams, PFAS, PFOS, South Carolina, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, toxicity, U.S. States and Territories
Fire retardant foams currently contain fluorine-based chemicals known to be toxic and persist in the environment. Fluorine-free foams are now in development, but little is ...
Read More

Ecotoxicological Effects of Oil and Oil Spill Dispersants on Sensitive Estuarine Species

benthic, Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, deepwater horizon, dispersants, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), mike.fulton@noaa.gov, oil spill, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, vibrio vulnificus, Waterbodies
While chemical dispersants mitigate oil spills, they may also pose risks to coastal and estuarine ecosystems. We are determining oil and dispersant toxicity thresholds in ...
Read More

Effects and Discovery of Chronic Domoic Acid Exposure on Gene Expression in the Vertebrate Central Nervous System

amnesic shellfish poisoning, Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, domoic acid, hab, Harmful Algal Bloom Detection and Forecasting, pseudo-nitzschia, quay.dortch@noaa.gov, sea lion, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, U.S. States and Territories, Washington, zebrafish
Domoic acid, a naturally occurring marine neurotoxin, threatens the health of marine mammals, seabirds, and humans via severe and long-term yet low-level exposure through the ...
Read More

Effects of Climate Change on Chemical Contaminant Toxicity

Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, Coastal Change, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
Many climate related variables such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity can alter chemical toxicity. Most chemical testing is performed using a standard set ...
Read More

Effects of Hypoxia and Warming on Zooplankton in Chesapeake Bay

Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, CHRP, HABHRCA, Hypoxia, kimberly.puglise@noaa.gov, Maryland, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, U.S. States and Territories, Virginia, Waterbodies
We are investigating how hypoxia and water temperature in Chesapeake Bay impact the availability of mesozooplankton, a primary food source to upper trophic levels. Our ...
Read More

Efficacy and Ecotoxicological Effects of Shoreline Cleaners in Salt Marsh Ecosystems

Atlantic Ocean, Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, Coastal Change, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), marie.delorenzo@noaa.gov, mike.fulton@noaa.gov, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, Waterbodies
Summary This project evaluated three shoreline cleaner products (Accell Clean SWA, PES-51, and CytoSol). We compared the biological effects and chemical interactions of the products ...
Read More

Emerging Algal Toxins in the California Current System: Responding to Known Threats, Preparing for the Future

Alexandrium, California, California Current System, cyanobacteria, harmful algal bloom, Harmful Algal Bloom Detection and Forecasting, marc.suddleson@noaa.gov, microcystins, Other Topics, Pacific Ocean, pseudo-nitzschia, Sponsored Research, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, U.S. States and Territories, Washington, Waterbodies
Surveys in California have highlighted the occurrence of HAB toxins in estuarine waters and shellfish, but there is concern that current monitoring approaches under-report the ...
Read More

Employing a Novel Molecular Toolbox for Rapid, Sensitive Detection of Toxic Pseudo-nitzschia Species

Florida, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), Gulf of Maine, Harmful Algal Bloom Detection and Forecasting, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, rebecca.atkins@noaa.gov, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, U.S. States and Territories, Waterbodies
The diatom Pseudo-nitzschia produces the neurotoxin domoic acid, which can impact both humans and marine wildlife when consumed. This project seeks to build and implement ...
Read More

Enhancing Coastal Transportation Infrastructure Resilience to Compound Flood Impacts

Alabama, Coastal Change, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), Other Topics, rebecca.atkins@noaa.gov, Sea Level Rise, Sponsored Research, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
We are assessing the resilience of coastal transportation infrastructure to compound flooding in the Mobile Bay, Alabama, area to inform decision-making. Why We Care The ...
Read More

Enhancing Habitat Mapping Accuracy and Efficiency Using Artificial Intelligence

Atlantic Ocean, bryan.costa@noaa.gov, Coral, Habitat Mapping, Marine Spatial Ecology, Pacific Ocean, Waterbodies
Habitat maps are critical for effective management of the marine environment. However, map making can be time intensive, making it challenging to produce maps frequently ...
Read More

Enhancing Third-generation Environmental Sample Processor for HAB Toxin Detection Through Integration with Autonomous Surface Vehicle

AUV, Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, cyanobacteria, ESP, felix.martinez@noaa.gov, Great Lakes, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), harmful algal bloom, Lake Erie, Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, Michigan, monitoring, Ohio, Other Topics, PCMHAB, Sponsored Research, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, U.S. States and Territories, Waterbodies
Monitoring the increase in cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) in nearshore environments is challenging. Recent development of a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with ...
Read More

Environmental Models for Marine Aquaculture and Spatial Planning

aquaculture, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Coastal Aquaculture Siting and Sustainability, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), james.morris@noaa.gov, Marine Spatial Ecology, Pacific Ocean, Waterbodies
We are developing marine spatial planning tools and best management practices for marine aquaculture to minimize or eliminate any negative environmental effects. We are providing ...
Read More

Epidemiological Modeling and Outbreak Investigations for Marine Wildlife

Atlantic Ocean, Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients, leslie.burdett@noaa.gov, Pathogens, Stressor Impacts and Mitigation, Waterbodies
Marine mammal mortality events have been linked to harmful algal bloom biotoxins, acoustic events, and infectious disease epidemics, but the underlying causes are often uncertain ...
Read More