News

MARS Announces New Scholarship Program

The Department of Marine Sciences has begun a new scholarship program beginning in the fall semester, 2004.  In its first year, $3500 scholarships will be awarded to two incoming freshmen Marine Sciences students and three sophomore students with who are Texas residents with financial need.  The scholarships may be renewed yearly (up to a total of 4 years) by application.  All renewals will be based on academic performance in previous semesters at TAMUG and continued financial need. 

 Freshman applicants to Marine Sciences will be reviewed by the financial aid office for award.  Sophomore (and continuing scholars) applicants, will be reviewed by a Marine Sciences Scholarship Committee appointed by the Department Head. 

 The scholarship program will grow over the next several years until 5 students in each class are supported (for a total of 20 students overall).

 Merrell Named George P. Mitchell Professor

Dr. William J. Merrell, Professor of Marine Sciences has been named the first George P. Mitchell Professor.  This professorship was endowed by a gift of $150,000 from Mr. Mitchell as a challenge match to ultimately obtain funds for an endowed chair in sustainable marine resources.  Dr. Merrell is a former President of TAMUG, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Programs of the A&M System, and President of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment in Washington, DC.  He currently splits his time between the Marine Resources Management Program and continued work in Washington.

Gill Receives Large Mercury Study Grant

Dr. Gary Gill, Professor of Marine Sciences has obtained a large ($1+ million) grant to study Mercury in the San Francisco area. 

Primary Project Goal.  Develop an understanding of the transport, cycling, and fate of mercury (Hg) and monomethyl mercury (MMHg) in the San Francisco Delta and tributary watersheds on both a temporal and spatial basis using a biogeochemical mass-balance framework as an integrating tool to assess sources, sinks and biogeochemical processes.  These results will be incorporated into a working hydrological transport model that will facilitate the prediction of Hg cycling and transport across the Delta and exported to San Francisco Bay or to Southern California. 

Current Program Objectives.  This current proposal represents a continued effort to understand environmental Hg issues that were initiated in our currently on-going CALFED Mercury Research Project. This currently proposed research program seeks to expand upon our current findings by: (1) Filling in data gaps in our current conceptual understanding of Hg and MMHg sources, sinks, and cycling in the Bay-Delta and its watershed; (2) Verifying and quantifying seasonal variations of MMHg in sediments and in the water column with respect to habitat type; (3) Accurately characterizing the spatial distribution of total Hg and MMHg in the Delta; (4) Estimate the loadings of MMHg from wetlands and evaluate them as to their importance relative to other sources; and (5) Providing a foundation and framework for long term monitoring of Hg contamination issues in the Delta

 Specific tasks to be conducted include: 

1. Mass Loading, Riverine Characterization and Export Studies
2. Determine Mass loading estimates for Hg and MMHg into, and freshwater export from, the Delta.
3. Characterize tributary and regional input sources of MMHg and Hg in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Basins.
4. Conduct sub-watershed studies of tributaries or source regions to refine region of sources of MMHg and Hg within a watershed.
5. Conduct Atmospheric Mercury Deposition Studies
6. Delta Wide Monitoring and Characterization Program for Hg and MMHg in surface sediments of different Delta ecosystems (i.e. habitat-based)
7. Conduct Benthic Flux Chamber Studies
8. Determination of Monomethyl Mercury Photo Demethylation Studies
9. Conduct Delta Transects and Cross Channel Studies and Wetland Mass Loading and Sediment Biogeochemistry Studies
10. Determine MMHg Loading Studies in Delta Wetlands.
11. Sediment Biogeochemistry Studies in Delta Wetlands.
12. Conduct Air-Water Exchange Studies of Dissolved Gaseous Mercury
13. Integration of GIS into Program

Funding Details

July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2007.  Transport, Cycling and Fate of Mercury and Monomethyl Mercury in the San Francisco Delta and Tributaries – An Integrated Mass Balance Assessment Approach.  Funded by the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (State of California).  Co-Principal Investigators:  Mark Stephenson (California Department of Fish and Game), Kenneth Coale (Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, California State University, Moss Landing, CA), Chris Foe (California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board), Gary A. Gill (Texas A&M University at Galveston), Max Puckett (California Department of Fish and Game), Total Project Budget: $3,881,215.  TAMUG Budget: $ 1,216,239.