CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Samples of water from the Cape Fear Paver and the Atlantic Ocean are ready for testing. 

 Larry Cahoon holds an indicator for the turbidity of the water — in some areas, visibility was around 35 cm. 

 Alessandro Bocconcelli, left, director of operations for UNC-W's Center for Marine Science Research, and 

 marine science graduate student Jason Hales prepare a water sample. Hales caps samples from the Atlantic Ocean. 



Cahoon looks at a water sample from the Cape Fear River. 



PhoUX by Erin Wall 



and other vegetative matter. When the 

 current slows, the matter settles. 



"It will be there, and it will rot," says 

 Barbara Doll, Sea Grant's water quality 

 specialist. 



That process of decay will consume 

 large amounts of oxygen — and fish need 

 oxygen to survive. Extremely low levels of 

 oxygen can lead to fish kills. 



Other effects may be prolonged. For 

 example, fish that are already stressed by 

 low oxygen levels may become more 

 susceptible to disease, says James Rice of 

 NC State University. 



Other studies will assess the levels of 

 pathogens or heavy metals. Mark Sobsey 

 of UNC-CH is looking at both bacterial 

 and viral effects. He will share his results 



with the state's shellfish sanitation officials. 

 His studies will go beyond tests required by 

 state statute to declare swimming areas and 

 shellfish beds open. 



Martin Posey of UNC-W says that his 

 database, which includes results after past 

 hurricanes, enables him to predict Floyd's 

 impact on the overall estuarine ecosystem. 

 "After each storm there seems to be a 

 cumulative effect on the benthic community 

 — the base of the food web," he says. 



The extended visit from Hurricane 

 Dennis, combined with the effects of 

 Hurricane Floyd, also took a toll on sea- 

 grass beds that serve as nurseries for blue 

 crabs. "We can't find any sea grass in Point 

 Harbor," David Eggleston of NC State says 

 of his research site near Currituck. 



His research after Hurricane Fran 

 showed that so many crabs were blown 

 into the sound, some found refuge in 

 unlikely spots. The sea grass may bounce 

 back quickly, Eggleston says, but if not, 

 the role of the alternative sites may 

 become a factor for the state's number- 

 one fishery next spring. 



North Carolina Sea Grant researchers 

 will assess many facets of the double 

 punch of Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd, 

 says Steve Olson, associate director for 

 outreach. 



'We are looking at a wide range of 

 topics, including water quality, fisheries 

 and ecosystems, aquaculture, seafood 

 safety, coastal hazards and tourism," he 

 says. □ 



18 HOLIDAY J 999 



