Jacksonville, FL - "The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides." – Captain Nemo, "20,000 Leagues under the Sea"
Like Captain Nemo said, the sea is everything to one group of JSU biology students.
"Marine biology is the study of marine animals," said Dr. George Cline, marine biology advisor.
The Jacksonville State University marine biology program has existed since before the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, which was formed in 1971.
To study marine biology one must have a good biology background that includes all the required general biology classes. Also required are classes in marine botany, zoology, and ecology, according to Dr. Cline.
When asked if marine biology is a difficult concentration, Dr. Cline said, "Depends on what you love. The hardest thing is dealing with an alien world and having a limited amount of time to spend in that world."
After completing the required courses, students go down to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab where they spend Monday through Friday mornings out on Mobile Bay and in lectures in the afternoon.
Most of the classes involve hands-on labs. "A student can get a better understanding of the ocean," according to Dr. Cline. "But it's a tough life once you get the job—you better have a strong stomach, and good sea legs."
He adds that most students have gone on to work as marine fishery observers, and have gone on to get higher degrees in the field.
What exactly goes on in JSU's marine biology program? Since the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill, marine biologists here have been attempting to do more in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Dr. Cline. A grant from BP and Gulf Research Initiative (GRI) is aiding in these studies. "Several of the professors including Dr. James Rayburn are putting in work with GRI," said Dr. Cline. There is also some study of Tardigrades, which are microscopic sized animals. "They are interesting organisms" said Dr. Cline. "They are found in mosses, on trees and in aquatic systems."
The particular type of Tardigrades that is being studied live deep in the sand in the ocean. "Dr. Frank Romano wants to see the effect the oil spill had on the Tardigrades," said Dr. Cline.
In addition to marine biology students, chemists are looking at the oil spill, as well. Their main focus is looking at the effect of oil and tar balls on the environment on the Gulf Coast. "There's a lot of collaboration between chemistry and marine biology on the oil spill," said Dr. Cline.
There is also some study of the effect of the oil spill cleanup on organisms living in the environment. For example, Dr. Rayburn is studying the effects of the dispersant used with regard to mutagenicity and teratogenicity in developing shrimp embryos. "This study is being used as a model for humans," said Dr. Cline.
In addition to working on the effects of the oil spill, the JSU marine biology program has hosted a videoconference workshop on that topic. "Thirteen teachers came and learned about the effects on the oil spill on the Gulf," said Dr. Cline. The JSU marine biology program is also a part of a program entitled From the Mountains to the Gulf. "It is a program that talks about linkages between inland and coastal issues," said Dr. Cline.
"This program, which starts in June, also talks about geology, biodiversity and water quality. Along with the new programs that are helping the Gulf of Mexico's environment become clean again, students are finding new career paths. The traditional career path for a marine biology student is becoming a teacher or professor, or going to work with the state or federal government, whether it is state or federal. That is not the case anymore.
"Kids are doing different things now," said Dr. Cline. "A lot of them are interested in animal training like at Sea World, or in working at an aquarium like the Tennessee or Georgia aquarium. Both places use marine biology students." Along with working at aquariums, marine biology students can find a career in environmental assessment, where they develop wetlands in coastal areas.
From working on restoring the Gulf back to its pre-oil spill condition to inspiring students to go beyond just working at an aquarium, the Jacksonville State University marine biology program is doing new and inspiring things. It will be exciting to see what they do in the years to come.
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