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The MARB benthic biota and biogeochemistry lab under Dept. Head Gil Rowe's supervision has been involved in a broad spectrum of projects with a single underlying theme: the dynamics, size structure and species composition of organisms living on or near the sea floor. The largest project, now in its 5th year, is the Deep Gulf of Mexico Benthos (DGoMB) study supported by the Minerals Management Service of the Dept. of the Interior. Stretching from Mexico to Florida, from depths of 200 m out to the Sigsbee Deep at 3.65 Ian, this study is attempting to define the underlying relationships between community structure at the species level and total community processes related to biomass, respiration and secondary production. At shallow depths on the continental shelf, studies are continuing that link water column hypoxia (stressfully low oxygen) to stratification and respiration near the plume of the Mississippi River, with support from NOAA to a multidisciplinary group of oceanographers and mathematical modelers. The DGoMB study utilizes remote bottom landers to emplant incubation chambers on the sea floor to measure consumption of oxygen by the bottom organisms, whereas the NOAA study utilizes SCUBA divers to emplant the chambers. New studies hope to utilize Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to explore the living resources at all depths in the Gulf of Mexico, including the Flower Garden Banks National Sanctuary and the biota near prospective oil and gas resources. Mathematical models of food webs are utilized to test hypotheses and explore newly-discovered food web relationships. |
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Information and research interests of Dr. Rowe and researchers in the lab. |
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Description of current research projects in Dr. Rowe's lab. |
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List of recent scientific journal publications of Dr. Rowe's research. |
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Links to other websites containing more information about Dr. Rowe's research. |
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