UCSB awarded $4.2 million for coastal study

5/26/00

The watersheds and nearshore coastal waters environment of the Santa Barbara Channel will soon become the subjects of intensive study.

UC Santa Barbara has been awarded $4.2 million for long-term ecological studies of the coast by the National Science Foundation.

"This project will create wonderful opportunities to address issues of environmental concern to the local Santa Barbara community," said Steve Gaines, director of UCSB's Marine Science Institute. "It will examine connections between our local streams and rivers and the ecology of kelp forest ecosystems in the Santa Barbara Channel."

Studies of ocean currents, waves, sediment, light and seawater chemistry near and in kelp beds will tell scientists a great deal about the dispersal of nutrients and organic carbon in the ocean. In turn, scientists will learn more about the effects of these substances on the growth of kelp and plankton, the abundance of marine animals and food web relationships.

"Many questions that need to be answered can only come out of long-term studies," said Dan Reed, a researcher with the Marine Science Institute.

The grant is designed to study ecological processes over decades, and may continue to be renewed for 20 to 30 years. Typical studies last three to five years.

The Santa Barbara site is the first in California and the only coastal site on the west coast of North America, Reed said.

The project is generating lots of local interest. Urban pollution is a major local concern. The city and county have each spent hundreds of thousands of dollars collecting field data and lab analyses on creek and ocean waters.

SANTA BARBARA
Beach to unveil water-quality signs

New information signs will be unveiled June 2 at Arroyo Burro Beach, alerting beach-goers about the status of water quality.

These color signs will display open, closed or warning notices; explain the creek and ocean water quality problem; and advise what people can do to prevent pollution.

The signs were developed as part of Project Clean Water, a joint effort by the county, city and community to improve water quality.

Signs are also to be installed at other beaches where ocean water quality is being monitored.