Sea Lab Skimmer

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Volume 20, Number 6		June 2009
Contact the Editor	There's always something happening here at the Sea Lab, and we hope to bring you frequent updates of the latest activities.

Mesocosm? What's a Mesocosm? New Facility Under Construction at DISL. Dr. George F. Crozier		Mesocosm site under construction on the South Campus of the DISL.
The new Richard Shelby Center for Ecosystem-Based Management is more than just the new building going in at the entrance to the Sea Lab. The Center also contains an exciting unique facility for the central Gulf - a system of mesocosms. These are simply large experimental ponds or tanks that will allow some manipulation of the constituents and support experimental work at levels more closely approaching an ecosystem. (READ MORE)
Northern Gulf Institute - DISL Award Winners Dr. Tina Miller-Way		Left to right - Stephen Scyphers, Lauren Showalter, Charlie Martin.
At the annual conference of the Northern Gulf Institute (NGI) last week, three DISL graduate students won awards for their efforts. Ms. Lauren Showalter won 3rd place in the ‘Oral Presentations - Student Competition. Lauren is a Master's candidate at the University of Alabama and is working with Dr. John Dindo at DISL. Lauren's presentation, "Biomagnification of mercury in the Mobile Bay ecosystem" addressed mercury concentrations in fishes and birds common in Mobile Bay and the potential for mercury transfer to humans. (READ MORE)
Visiting Student from China Conducts Research at DISL Dr. Ron Kiene		Cheng-xuan Li, or "Caroline."
By now Cheng-xuan Li has become a familiar smiling face around Marine Science Hall, even if her name might not be familiar to all. Most people probably know her as "Caroline," the English name she took when she arrived from China last August. Caroline is a Ph. D. student at the Ocean University of China in Qingdao and she is spending a year as a visiting student in Dr. Ron Kiene's lab at DISL. (READ MORE)
DISL Hosts Kayaker on Healthy Oceans Mission Lori Angelo		(Left to right) Stephanie Short, GRN marine fisheries legal intern from Lewis and Clark Law School; Aaron Viles, Campaign Coordinator for the GRN; Dr. John Dindo (DISL); Margo Pelligrino.
On May 19, the DISL hosted kayaker and activist Margo Pelligrino, who is on a journey from Miami to New Orleans to bring awareness of the need to provide wise stewardship of our oceans. (READ MORE)
Warm Waters = Manatee Sightings Dr. Ruth Carmichael and Claire Pabody		By reporting your manatee sightings, you'll help researchers understand their behavior, and by doing so, protect them more successfully.
Warm weather has arrived and with it has come this area's regular seasonal residents, the West Indian manatee. The Mobile Manatees Sighting Network (MMSN), based at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), needs your help to conduct vital research on these endangered mammals. (READ MORE)