Research

Biological Oceanography

Biological Oceanography

Biological oceanographers in the College of Marine Science (CMS) seek to understand the life histories and population dynamics of marine organisms and how they interact with their environment over space and time.

Technology plays an important role in biological oceanography studies.  Scientists in our college use the latest in remote sensing technology to study vast regions of the Earth’s oceans. CMS researchers also develop new technology to facilitate their studies. One example is the genosensor, which quickly identifies and quantifies harmful algal blooms and related processes, resulting in a more detailed understanding of the dynamics of bloom events. 

View our Biological Oceanography Faculty

Sample Research Groups

  • C-IMAGE - A global ten-year, $36.6 million research program to understand the impacts of the oil spills on the Gulf of Mexico. 
  • C-SCAMP - a program funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to collect high resolution bathymetry data and other data products to improve our understanding of reef fish and sea turtle habitat on the West Florida Shelf. 
  • COMIT - a five-year, $9 million cooperative agreement with NOAA to develop new technologies and approaches to ocean and coastal zone mapping to help build resilient coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies.
  • MERA - an innovative water quality investigation in Costa Rica to improve beach management and protect human health, with implications for other tropical beaches and locations around the world.
  • Institute for Remote Sensing - a team that uses satellite and airborne sensor data to provide resource managers with information and tools about ocean change on large spatial and temporal scales.