Sound Waves Newsletter: February-March 2025
Featuring coastal and ocean science from across the USGS
Featuring coastal and ocean science from across the USGS
APPROACH (APplying Proxy-based Reconstruction Of Atlantic Climate CHange)
Geologic framework and Holocene sand thickness offshore of Seven Mile Island, New Jersey
SPCMSC Team surveys Madeira Beach
USGS Scientists will provide training to the National Weather Service on Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecasts
USGS St. Petersburg staff attends Geotools 2025 Conference
Site visit for Tampa Bay hard clam growth study
USGS Scientists publish article on marsh erosion and migration in coastal Mississippi and Alabama
USGS Scientists publish article describing the application of regressive modeling techniques to improve marsh unit thickness data in coastal Alabama and Mississippi
MERMAID
Metagenomic Examinations of Reefs; Microbial Assessments Including Disease
Metagenomic Examinations of Reefs; Microbial Assessments Including Disease
Discover Coastal and Marine Science of the USGS St. Petersburg
An interactive geonarrative will take you on a guided journey to explore the research, capabilities, and history of the center
An interactive geonarrative will take you on a guided journey to explore the research, capabilities, and history of the center
Explore the history of the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Research programs have a primary focus of investigating processes related to coastal and marine environments and societal implications related to natural hazards, resource sustainability, and environmental change.
Science
Science
Read about our science projects, find out where we are working, and why it matters.
Publications
Publications
Peer-reviewed research results and conclusions, authored by Center scientists.
News
Natural Disaster Preparedness Starts with Science
Natural Disaster Preparedness Starts with Science
New USGS, NPS Study: Submarine Groundwater Discharge Fuels Algal Growth, Threatening Coral Reefs in American Samoa
New USGS, NPS Study: Submarine Groundwater Discharge Fuels Algal Growth, Threatening Coral Reefs in American Samoa
Photo Roundup: June-July 2025
Photo Roundup: June-July 2025
Publications
Reduced Atlantic reef growth past 2 °C warming amplifies sea-level impacts Reduced Atlantic reef growth past 2 °C warming amplifies sea-level impacts
Coral reefs form complex physical structures that can help to mitigate coastal flooding risk1,2. This function will be reduced by sea-level rise (SLR) and impaired reef growth caused by climate change and local anthropogenic stressors3. Water depths above reef surfaces are projected to increase as a result, but the magnitudes and timescales of this increase are poorly constrained, which...
Coral restoration can drive rapid increases in reef accretion potential Coral restoration can drive rapid increases in reef accretion potential
Coral-reef degradation is disrupting the balance between reef accretion and erosion and threatening the persistence of essential coral-reef habitats. In south Florida, most reefs are already net eroding, and without intervention, valuable ecosystem services may be lost. Coral restoration holds the potential to reverse those trends; however, typical restoration monitoring does not...
Proactive assisted gene flow for Caribbean corals in an era of rapid coral reef decline Proactive assisted gene flow for Caribbean corals in an era of rapid coral reef decline
Coral reefs are one of the most well-documented marine ecosystems under increasing threat from climate change. Catastrophic episodes of coral bleaching and subsequent mortality caused by prolonged heat stress (1) highlight the need to test and implement new approaches to prevent species loss and retain ecosystem function (2). One of these approaches is assisted gene flow (AGF)—the...
Science
Seafloor Benthic Mapping and Characterization: Enhancing our Understanding of Aleutian Islands’ Hazards, Potential Seabed Minerals and Deep Corals
A USGS-led expedition in the Aleutian Arc off Alaska will provide critical information on energy resources, underwater earthquakes and other hazards, seafloor habitats, and biological resources, including key fisheries, as well as potential seabed minerals.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities: Coral Propagation Technique (CPT) Development Project
Through a collaborative effort with other federal agencies and academic and research institutions, the USGS is working to inform and enhance the protection and management of coral communities in mesophotic and deep benthic areas of the Gulf.