Coastal Ocean Hypoxia Model

April 15, 2015

South Carolina Sea Grant

A large percentage of South Carolina’s
economy is driven by the popularity of beaches as tourist destinations. Hypoxic (low-oxygen) conditions have been
documented in the nearshore coastal waters of Long Bay, South Carolina, during
summer months over the past several years.
To maintain a healthy environment for recreation it is necessary to
assess the impacts of land use on groundwater discharge to the area. Researchers measured radon activities of
shallow beachface groundwater and nearshore bottom waters to estimate mixing
rates and submarine groundwater discharge in Long Bay. They successfully developed a mixing model
based on these measurements, which helped determine that natural phenomena such
as limited mixing and submarine groundwater discharge (both previously
overlooked) can significantly influence nearshore water quality and lead to
hypoxic conditions. This model can be
applied to other types of marine environments to help determine the causes of
hypoxia, and as such could be a valuable tool in maintaining coastal water
quality, especially in highly developed (urban) areas.

Group of people removing ghost nets from a beach.

Alabama

Biden-Harris administration invests $27 million to support community-driven marine debris solutions through Investing in America agenda

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $27 million in funding for projects to prevent and remove marine debris in coastal and Great Lakes communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This funding will support innovative research and foster local coalitions to address urgent marine debris issues by using NOAA Sea Grant’s partnered approach to bring science together with communities for solutions that work.

Shoring up the future, together: Collaborative efforts in coastal resilience across the Mid-Atlantic

Community members and city leaders gathered during a listening session to identify key climate readiness needs in Erie, Pennsylvania during June of 2023. (Photo by

Biden-Harris Administration invests $60 million to build a climate-ready workforce through Investing in America agenda

Today, the Department of Commerce and NOAA announced $60 million in funding to help train and place people in jobs that advance a climate-ready workforce for coastal and Great Lakes states, Tribes and Territories as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda under the Inflation Reduction Act. To date, awards like these from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda have created more than 270,000 jobs across the country.

The funding will support nine projects around the nation, with $50 million going directly to the projects and $10 million for technical assistance to support the grantees.