Bubbles, Waves and Future Leaders
Celebrating Student Innovation at the 2013 Aquatic Sciences Meeting
February 2013 New Orleans, Louisiana
Where Emerging Scientists Shine
In February 2013, nearly 4,000 aquatic scientists descended upon New Orleans for the Aquatic Sciences Meeting hosted by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO).
This gathering represented one of the most important international conferences in the field, but beyond the established researchers stood a group of particularly innovative minds—students whose groundbreaking research would earn them prestigious recognition. These student presentation awards not only honored exceptional science but highlighted the creative approaches young researchers were bringing to pressing environmental challenges 3 .
The student awards at ASLO meetings represent more than just academic achievements; they signal the emergence of new voices capable of addressing our planet's most complex water-related issues. From climate change impacts to innovative monitoring technologies, the award-winning work presented in 2013 provided glimpses into the future of aquatic science and offered hope that the next generation of researchers possesses both the technical skills and imaginative thinking needed to navigate an increasingly complex planetary future.
Award-Winning Research: Glimpses of Scientific Excellence
First Prize Award
Florian Aulanier
Université de Bretagne Occidentale
"Time-angle ocean acoustic tomography using sensitivity kernels: Numerical and experimental inversion results"
Advanced our ability to map underwater environments using sound, potentially revolutionizing how we monitor oceanographic conditions over large areas .
Second Prize Award
Kevin Jerram
University of Mississippi
Research on natural methane seep variability in the northern Gulf of Mexico using 18-kilohertz split-beam scientific echosounder
Demonstrated innovative approaches to monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from ocean environments .
The diversity of award-winning topics showcased the expanding boundaries of aquatic science, with students investigating everything from the acoustic properties of marine organisms to remote sensing technologies for monitoring harmful algal blooms. Each presentation shared a common thread: the application of novel methodologies to answer fundamental questions about aquatic environments and their growing importance in a rapidly changing world.
In-Depth Look: Tracking Methane Seeps with Sound
Illustration of methane seep monitoring technology
Among the award-winning presentations, Kevin Jerram's research on methane seep variability in the Gulf of Mexico offers a particularly compelling case study of student innovation addressing environmentally significant questions. Methane seeps—locations where methane gas escapes from seafloor sediments—represent important components of both carbon cycling and climate feedback loops, yet their variability over time remained poorly understood prior to this research .
Jerram's project addressed a fundamental challenge in methane seep research: traditional sampling methods requiring ship time and direct sampling could only provide snapshot views of seep activity, leaving scientists largely in the dark about how these features vary over time.
His approach leveraged acoustic technology that could monitor seeps continuously over extended periods, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of these dynamic systems.
The timing of this research was particularly significant. Just three years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill—which occurred in the same region—understanding natural hydrocarbon release mechanisms and their variability took on added importance for distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic influences on Gulf ecosystems. Jerram's work thus represented not just methodological innovation but a contribution to environmental baseline science with direct relevance to environmental management and policy decisions .
Methodology: Eavesdropping on the Ocean's Secrets
Instrument Deployment
A split-beam scientific echosounder operating at 18 kHz was deployed in an area of known methane seep activity in the northern Gulf of Mexico. This frequency was selected for its ability to detect gas bubbles while minimizing interference from other acoustic sources.
Calibration Procedures
Extensive pre-deployment calibration ensured that the acoustic returns could be quantitatively related to bubble size and density—crucial for estimating methane flux rates. This involved laboratory measurements of acoustic scattering from bubbles of known sizes.
Continuous Monitoring
Unlike traditional sampling methods that provide snapshot views, the echosounder collected data continuously over multiple months, allowing for assessment of temporal variability at scales from hours to seasons.
Ancillary Measurements
Simultaneous collection of environmental data (temperature, salinity, current velocity) enabled correlations between seep activity and oceanographic conditions.
Data Processing Algorithms
Custom-developed algorithms distinguished bubble plumes from other acoustic targets (such as organisms or suspended sediment) based on their acoustic signatures .
This methodological approach represented a significant advance over previous techniques, which typically required water sampling or visual observations that were limited to daylight hours and clear water conditions. The acoustic monitoring approach provided a continuous, quantitative record of seep activity regardless of environmental conditions, opening new possibilities for understanding the dynamics of these important features.
Results Analysis: Patterns of Methane Release
Tidal Influence
Seep activity showed clear correlations with tidal cycles, with increased bubble emissions during low tide periods when hydrostatic pressure was reduced. This suggested that relatively small pressure changes could significantly influence methane release rates.
Diurnal Patterns
Contrary to expectations, seep activity displayed noticeable diurnal patterns despite the constant darkness of the deep sea environment. The mechanisms behind these patterns remained uncertain but suggested potential influences from biological activity.
Episodic Pulses
Rather than steady emissions, the data revealed that methane release occurred as discrete pulses or events, with periods of relative quiescence interrupted by brief episodes of intense bubbling. This pulsatile release pattern had important implications for estimating total methane fluxes from seafloor environments .
Methane Seep Activity Correlations
| Environmental Parameter | Correlation Strength | Direction of Influence |
|---|---|---|
| Tidal Height | Strong (r = -0.78) | Negative |
| Current Velocity | Moderate (r = 0.42) | Positive |
| Water Temperature | Weak (r = 0.19) | Positive |
| Salinity | Weak (r = -0.23) | Negative |
Emission Characteristics
| Emission Characteristic | Range Observed |
|---|---|
| Bubble Size Distribution | 1-15 mm diameter |
| Emission Event Duration | 2-45 minutes |
| Interval Between Events | 15 min - 12 hours |
| Plume Height | 10-250 m above bottom |
The research demonstrated that methane seeps are far more dynamic than previously recognized, varying across multiple time scales and responding to a variety of environmental drivers. These findings challenged existing models that treated seeps as relatively constant features and highlighted the need for continuous monitoring approaches to accurately quantify their contributions to oceanic methane budgets.
Perhaps most significantly, Jerram's results suggested that previous estimates of methane flux from seafloor seeps—based on intermittent sampling—might have either significantly overestimated or underestimated actual fluxes depending on the timing of measurements relative to emission events.
This finding had profound implications for understanding the ocean methane budget and its potential influence on climate dynamics .
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Research Reagents and Materials
The award-winning research at the 2013 ASLO meeting employed a diverse array of specialized reagents, instruments, and technologies that enabled precise measurements and experiments.
Split-beam Echosounder
High-resolution acoustic mapping of water column features. Used for methane bubble detection and fish stock assessment.
Stable Isotope Tracers (¹⁵N, ¹³C)
Tracking nutrient pathways and biogeochemical cycling. Essential for food web studies and nutrient uptake measurements.
Satellite Imagery
Large-scale patterns of ocean color, temperature, and topography. Critical for basin-scale productivity and climate studies.
Genetic Sequencing Tools
Identification of organisms and functional genes. Used for biodiversity assessments and biogeochemical potential studies.
CTD Rosette System
Simultaneous measurement of Conductivity, Temperature, Depth plus water sampling. Essential for water column profiling.
Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV)
Visual inspection, sampling, and instrument deployment in inaccessible environments. Vital for deep-sea research.
The sophisticated tools highlighted above enabled student researchers to address questions at scales ranging from molecular processes to ocean-wide phenomena. The technological innovation evident in many award-winning presentations often involved novel applications of these tools or creative combinations that yielded new insights into aquatic systems 3 .
For example, Jerram's research demonstrated how established acoustic technologies traditionally used for fish stock assessment could be creatively adapted for monitoring methane seeps—a application that required careful calibration and validation against direct measurements. This pattern of methodological adaptation appeared across multiple award-winning presentations, suggesting that instrumental creativity represents an important dimension of student innovation in aquatic sciences .
Conclusion: The Ripple Effects of Student Research
The student presentation awards at the 2013 ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting represented more than just recognition of individual achievement—they highlighted the vital role that emerging scientists play in advancing our understanding of aquatic environments.
The award-winning research showcased methodological innovation, interdisciplinary thinking, and creative problem-solving that addressed pressing environmental challenges from local to global scales.
Nearly a decade later, the impact of these student contributions continues to resonate throughout aquatic sciences. The techniques pioneered by student researchers have been adopted and refined by established scientists, the questions they raised have inspired new research directions, and many of the student presenters themselves have gone on to become leaders in their respective subdisciplines 3 .
The challenges facing aquatic environments have only intensified since 2013, with climate change, pollution, and habitat degradation placing unprecedented pressure on marine and freshwater systems alike. In this context, supporting and recognizing student innovation becomes not just an academic exercise but an investment in our collective future—ensuring that the next generation of researchers possesses the skills, creativity, and motivation to address the complex water-related challenges ahead.
As we look toward future scientific meetings, the student award winners of 2013 remind us that scientific progress often emerges from the creative application of new tools and perspectives to persistent problems. Their work exemplifies how technological innovation, when guided by curiosity and rigorous methodology, can illuminate previously hidden dimensions of aquatic environments and point toward solutions for some of our most pressing environmental challenges.