This project focuses on estuarine water quality and the changes that can result from increased nutrient loading, especially detrimental eutrophication, harmful algal blooms (HABs) and increased waterborne pathogens such as Vibrio sp. bacteria. The overall hypothesis is: changing hydrologic regimes and nutrient loadings in coastal waters will impact ecosystem restoration and public health.

Our research focus is on planktonic community structure and function, measuring POM composition, microbial respiration and algal growth rates along transects in two Louisiana estuaries, Barataria Bay and Breton Sound. These estuaries are targeted for restoration by increased inputs of Mississippi River water, and our research will help test effectiveness of the river restoration strategy.  We are using diverse approaches that range from traditional analyses of water quality to real-time PCR.