Establishing an environmental baseline of conditions at a specific point in time, is the anchor point for most scientific research. This baseline sets the stage to determine whether or not change is occurring, and if it is, what exactly is changing. From this data, hypothesis, experiments, observation, and intervention can be planned and executed.
The goal of the RisingTides 2010 expedition is to capture baseline data to be utilized in multidisciplinary research conducted by graduate students, universities, and government programs. However, this information will be available simultaneously to the public at large.
The data will be gathered in the field at a selected group of small island states in the Oceania region of the South Pacific. Data, samples, photos, and videography will then be gathered both above the water and below utilizing a small skiff for surface excursions and scuba gear for underwater data gathering. Sampling, analysis, and data validation will be utilized following established and accepted guidelines and protocols.
Reevaluation will occur at the end of this two-year expedition at which time a determination will be made to either resample the previous areas or to continue gathering baseline data from islands not yet sampled.
RisingTides believes in utilizing only non-invasive methods of data collection that will not harm marine animals or damage cultural resources in the process.
The three primary areas of study have been defined and the methodology verified as scientifically sound.
Reef Health - Perform underwater surveys of indicator species that include identification of fish, invertebrates, and coral reef heath assessment along with recording pertinent site specific data.
RisingTides will gather coral reef health assessments in collaboration with Project Aware and CoralWatch (a nonprofit research organization from the University of Queensland, Australia). RisingTides will utilize CoralWatch charts, which uses a series of colors representing different stages of bleaching and recovery. Matching the color of the coral with a corresponding color on the chart and recording the color code along with coral type on the data sheet. Data collected from monitoring activities is then entered online and analyzed by scientists to answer questions on coral bleaching and recovery patterns as well as the severity and duration of bleaching events.
Water Chemistry - Collect and catalog geo-referenced data. The instrumentation used is expected to be the Troll® 9500 (or like instrumentation) which utilizes Standard and/or EPA methods. Data will include, but not limited to: DO (dissolved oxygen, ASTM #D888-05 Method C); pH (EPA 150.2); conductivity (EPA 120.1); temperature (EPA 150.2); Turbidity (ISO 7027) ; Nitrate (Std. Methods 25104500-N03 D); Ammonium (Std. Methods 25104500-N03 D, EPA 350.3,) and water depth. Sampling will be two fold with semi-automated systems aboard the research vessel and handheld instruments for field sampling.
Culturally Significant Sites - Utilizing geo-referenced photography to document sites important to the people of the remote islands and in possible danger of being lost to the rising sea levels.
