Kevin Takeuchi
Lawrence MS

Joy Tanigawa
El Rancho HS

Influence of Climate on Marine Life

     Our study will investigate the effect of temperature on plankton, kelp, and marine life. Data from the Seabird, otter trawl fish counts, and plankton counts will be analyzed. We will compare the data from this year to data from last year and make a determination on the effects of temperature changes.
    Plankton and seaweed requires sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and other nutrients for growth. Some of the "other nutrients", including iron, usually move from the deeper waters towards the surface where plankton is located. This process is achieved when cold water is located near the surface and warmer water from lower depths is allowed to upwell. However, when warmer water is present near the surface (El Nino conditions), the nutrient-rich waters from the lower depths are not allowed to upwell. This would lead to a rapid death for the plankton and likely affect the entire food web.

Scott Sperber
Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

Are the Halibut Croaking

     To determine if the population of the California Halibut and the White Croaker, at the position of the Harbour Trawl #1, remained steady over the last three years. To be determined by analysis of data of these species that were collected in other trawls in various spring and summer months over the past three years. These trawls were performed aboard the RV Vantuna by various study groups.

Lori Walker
Audubon MS

Phytoplankton and Zooplankton and the effect of Environmental Conditions on their distribution

     The purpose of this study is to compare the abundance and distribution of zooplankton and phytoplankton in the surrounding areas of the Los Angeles Harbor . We are trying to identify a relationship with the plankton and the water’s salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen. We are attempting to become more familiar with local plankton organisms and to identify the water conditions that impact plankton abundance.
     Using a vertical tow, we will be taking water samples from the L.A. Harbor, White Point, the mouth of the L.A. River and the open ocean. Once we have collected the sample from the vertical tow, we will look at the sample under the microscope with a depression slide on the boat. The abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton will be determined for each site based on an approximation. We will count, identify and classify the number of zooplankton and phytoplankton for a single microscope field of view for each site. At each site we will collect the data from the Sea Bird (specifically pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) to make a comparison between abundance and distribution and how it is affected by the characteristics of the water at each site.
     At each site we will also use the Forel scale, a standardized scale used to evaluate water color, and the Secchi disk to test the turbidity and clarity of the water.

Timothy Beck
Dana MS

In harbor generation of bubble streams for induced surface current concentration of flotsam and spilled oil.

    Preliminary tests for the production of a useful surface current for the concentratiion of flotsam and spilled oil will be attempted. Dry ice (solid CO₂) pellets ranging from .125 inches in diameter to 50 lb. blocks will be dropped into seawater of approximately 6 fathoms in an attempt to create these induced surface currents. The purpose of this study will be to test the hypothesis that a bubble steam can create a vortex. A vortex can be used to concentrate floating pollutants for more efficient collection.

Amy Robinson
Audubon MS

Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) Productivity and Growth

     A comparative study of fish length and abundance of Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) found in the Los Angeles Harbor, the mouth of the Los Angeles River and White Point. The purpose is to identify age groups through standard length measurements to determine the productivity of the species in three locations. Temperature readings were taken to see the correlation between a successful fish population and its surroundings.
     We conducted three deep-water otter trawls samples of Halibut (Paralichthys californicus). From the sample, we measured the length of each fish to determine an average length within each area. Based on the length measurements, we compiled the data in a frequency histogram to show various age groups amongst the Halibut (Paralichthys californicus) sample. The trends in the data at various peak levels determined the approximate age groups. Temperature readings were also conducted at each location using the SeaBird apparatus. As an extra component temperature ranges at the three locations were measured for possible explanations of sample sizes. The analyzed data illustrated the efficiency of the sampled Halibut population.

Elizabeth Nelson
Hamilton HS

Effects of Water Quality on Consumable Fish

     If one were to select a harbor to fish, which harbor would have the most ideal water chemistry thus supporting consumable fish? Our goal is to determine the correlation of water chemistry to the percentage of commercial halibut collected.
     In order to answer this question we will be comparing two sites, Rainbow and Fish Harbors. The following data will be collected: Seabird analysis in conjunction with manual aquired data from the bottom on;salinity,ph,temperature,turbidity,and nitrate.The percentage of commercial halibut collected from the total fish collected in a 10 minute Otter trawl..