Overview

The Mississippi Based RESTORE Act Center of Excellence (MBRACE) is Mississippi's Center of Excellence under the RESTORE Act's Center of Excellence Research Grants Program. MBRACE is a consortium of Mississippi’s four research universities (Jackson State University (JSU), Mississippi State University (MSU), The University of Mississippi (UM), and The University of Southern Mississippi (USM)), with USM serving as the lead institution. The mission of MBRACE is to seek sound comprehensive science- and technology-based understanding of the chronic and acute stressors, both anthropogenic and natural, on the dynamic and productive waters and ecosystems of the northern Gulf of Mexico, and to facilitate sustainable use of the Gulf’s important resources. For more information regarding MBRACE please visit: MBRACE (usm.edu)

MSU Research

Water Quality And Benthic Habitat Observations for Enhanced Understanding and Sustainable Management of Oyster Reefs in Mississippi Sound

This project used field sampling and remote sensing data collected from traditional platforms as well as novel autonomous aerial and marine vehicles to quantify the spatiotemporal variability of water quality and benthic habitat conditions at oyster reef sites in Mississippi Sound. Specifically, the research team: (1) developed robust predictive algorithms to relate in situ water quality parameters at oyster reefs in Mississippi Sound to remotely sensed reflectance data collected with satellites and unmanned aerial systems; (2) created benthic habitats maps of seabed sedimentary characteristics proximal to oyster reefs in Mississippi Sound through the collection and synthesis of physical samples and acoustic reflectivity data; and (3) evaluated geologic controls on the location of submarine groundwater discharge and resulting modification of water quality parameters proximal to oyster reefs in Mississippi Sound through the collection and synthesis of seismic and isotopic tracer data.

Funding

This project was paid for with federal funding from the Department of the Treasury under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act).

Period of Performance

August 2017 – December 2019