|
|
Coastal Estuary Phytoplankton Monitoring
| Name | Gary Forrester | | Situation | With the large amount of growth occuring along the coast of South Carolina, water quality issues become very important. Monitoring certain pollution indicators allows researchers and decision makers to be fully aware of potential health and environmental problems. | | Response | Extension agents and Master Gardeners entered into a cooperative monitoring program with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration and the National Ocean Service to monitor four sites along the Grand Strand for phytoplankton species and abundance. The number of
sites has now grown to five. | | Impact | During the year-long monitoring phase, Master Gardeners put in 144 hours of volunteer time monitoring local sites as well as attending educational updates. This equates to $1800. There were several educational programs presented on phytoplankton importance to the natural world and how they are effected by landscaping practices with a total of 103 local clients attending. Along with this, several species of phytoplankton not seen in South Carolina waters before were identified. |
Last update4/15/2008
This website is maintained by Ann Sherrill.
|
