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The Maritime Aquarium participates in a variety of research projects. Some of these projects are conducted solely by Aquarium scientists, whereas others are the result of coordination between the Aquarium and various institutions. To learn more about the research conducted at the Maritime Aquarium, choose from one of the following links:
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Harbor Seal Research: A study of the harbor seals that winter in Norwalk Harbor
The objective of The Seal Census Project is to understand the factors that attract seals to the Norwalk Islands, what they're eating, their numbers and patterns of migration, their preferred locations, their behavioral responses to tides and weather, and their local movements. The program includes both an on-site and a distance learning component. The on-site component involves a limited number of individual teachers each supporting three students who participate directly in the research.
The distance learning program, which will be delivered to the classroom via I-NET or internet, engages the class in the essential questions by providing real-time video and two-way audio. This classroom experience will be supplemented by a Treasure Chest of activities and curriculum loaned to the school.
Visit the Seal Census website for more information on this project. Click here to learn how you may be able to participate in an annual, regional seal count in March.
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Horseshoe Crab Census:
This tag-and-release research/education project focuses on the population ecology of the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) in Long Island Sound. Dr. Jennifer Mattei of Sacred Heart University's Biology Department is the principle investigator of this long-term, community wide research project. The Maritime Aquarium participates by tagging and collecting data on horseshoe crabs encountered during field studies and research cruises. It has been recently discovered that migratory shorebird survival is linked to the horseshoe crab's breeding season. Migrating shorebirds consume horseshoe crab eggs, helping fuel their long trip north to breed. In addition, the federally protected loggerhead sea turtle also depends on horseshoe crabs for food. Horseshoe crabs are also important to humans because of a component in their blood that is used to detect bacterial contamination in manufactured drugs and other pharmaceutical products.
By understanding the population dynamics of this species we will be better able to manage their harvest and prevent their extinction.
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The horseshoe crab population ecology investigation is currently being supported by a grant from the Long Island Sound License Plate Program, managed by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and Sacred Heart University. Other participants include, Project Oceanology, SoundWaters, Bridgeport Aquaculture School, the Peabody Museum and the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center. To participate in this study, contact Dr. Mattei at 203-365-7577 or matteij@sacredheart.edu
Horseshoe Crab Teacher Workshop & Field Study
TBA for 2008
Join us for a teacher workshop with Dr. Jennifer Mattei of Sacred Heart University to learn about horseshoe crabs and how your students can take part in horseshoe crab research, tagging and data collection.
You’ll be a participant in a field expedition to tag horseshoe crabs. (Date TBA.) You also will be able to schedule your students for a free field ecology program at a local beach or here in Norwalk close to The Maritime Aquarium. (Free student field ecology programs limited.) Participants receive a Long Island Sound / horseshoe crab poster. CEUs available. Call Joe Schnierlein at 203-852-0700, ext. 2352.
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Norwalk River Water Quality: A joint effort with UConn to measure water quality in Long Island Sound.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk joins in partnership with the University of Connecticut and other organizations to monitor the State of Long Island Sound's water quality. The water quality monitoring sensor, located in the Norwalk River at the dock at the Maritime Aquarium provides near-realtime data, updated live every five minutes, including water temperature, salinity (from conductivity) and dissolved oxygen.
View data from The Maritime Aquarium water quality sensor
MYSound
Earthplace
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Biodiversity Database
What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity refers to the number of different species found in a specific area or habitat. The TMA biodiversity database is a compilation of information (data) that is recorded from the various field programs going on at TMA. This includes visits to the seashore, coastal studies, and the R/V Oceanic. The data is made available so that scientists, teachers, students and the public can have access to this information for use for scientific and academic purposes. It is also a record of the biotic and abiotic factors in Long Island Sound that affect the biodiversity and a means of documenting change.
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