There are several Ocean Acidification program locations and projects that accept interns. If interested, please apply for the Ocean Acidification Program in your internship application, but specify the program location or project in your statement of interest.
Ocean Acidification Program at Mote Marine Lab Sarasota - Dr. Emily Hall
The Ocean Acidification Program in Sarasota, FL, directed by Dr. Emily R. Hall, focuses on monitoring changes in carbonate chemistry (pH, total alkalinity, total dissolved inorganic carbon, and pCO2) in the coastal and offshore areas of Sarasota, FL. A second focus of this lab is to find mitigation strategies for Florida’s annual harmful algae blooms, also known as “red tide". We test both natural and man-made products on their ability to inhibit Karenia brevis and their toxins, and characterize the effects on general water quality, carbonate chemistry, and other non-target species. The goal of this project is to find a suite of products that can be used to stop a red tide bloom with minimal negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem.
Interns will work alongside Erin Cuyler (Staff Chemist) on carbonate chemistry, water quality, bottle cleaning and preparation, animal husbandry, and experimental design. This internship will be located at the ocean acidification testing facility (OASys) at the main lab in Sarasota, Florida. Internships are available year-round and will last three months, with possibility of an extension. Research activities vary depending on current and future projects but may include: setting up and maintaining indoor tank experiments in an ocean acidification or red tide experimental system, monitoring water quality with a YSI or pH probe, counting red tide cells via microscope, preparing and acid washing bottles, sampling seawater chemistry in coastal or offshore ecosystems via boat, and analyzing seawater samples for pH, total alkalinity or total dissolved inorganic carbon in the laboratory. Interns will become familiar with scientific literature and data analysis software programs and gain experience in preparation of scientific manuscripts. College students with chemistry laboratory experience preferred. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8AM – 5PM, with occasional long hours and weekends.