Shark Tagging & Mercury Testing

FGCU associate professor of marine science Darren Rumbold leads a team of researchers as they catch sharks, satellite tag them, and take tissue biopsies and fin clips. Rumbold's ongoing study, which he is conducting in partnership with with University of Miami researchers, measures the amount of mercury in shark tissue to better understand the levels of toxicity throughout the marine food chain. He's also attempting to identify areas where larger concentrations of mercury enter the water - and by extension, the food web - in an effort to potentially control the flow of mercury and more effectively manage Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems.

For more information, see the article in FGCU's magazine, Pinnacle: http://www.fgcupinnacle.com/pinnacle-articles/features/mercurial-mysteries

Category:

Education

Tags:

• FGCU
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• University
• Environment
• Science
• Sharks
• Fish
• Mercury
• Methylmercury