Three of our staff supporting NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science joined a team of nine other scientists on a 12 day expedition to collect deep-sea coral samples in the Gulf of Mexico. After completing 23 dives at 14 sites the team collected 36 live samples of coral, some of which have never previously been kept in an aquaria environment. The team also collected genetic samples, water samples for eDNA and aquaculture reference, and samples for microbiology and microscopy. The team transported the live coral samples to the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina where they will be studied for genetics, population connectivity, reproduction, and other important information that help scientists understand and protect coral reefs.

A boat in the middle of the ocean.
Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium for Ocean Research operates the research vessel Point Sur.
Orange coral polyps with small white tentacles along the tops.
Close-up of collected coral sample.
Two clear collection tubs separated into two sides containing orange branching corals in one side and darker branching coral in the other.
The team collected live coral samples and kept them alive on-board while being transported to the laboratory.

See More Success CSS Stories

Beakers on a lab counter

An Approach to Assessing Laboratory Space 

CSS employee owners were part of a team of scientists at the National Institutes of Health who developed an approach to evaluating new laboratory space to determine if the space will fit operational needs. This concept, titled The BaseLINE Approach, combines traditional safety processes with additional safety and environmental factors to assess before operations begin.…

Small bags containing various simulated plant root systems

Astronauts Conduct Latest Plant Water Management on the International Space Station

NASA recently performed the sixth iteration of the CSS-supported Plant Water Management experiment on the International Space Station (ISS).

Organizing Teams to Monitor Coastal Contaminants

For nearly 40 years NOAA’s National Mussel Watch Program has been monitoring contaminants in coastal waters in over 400 sites around the U.S. by testing sediment and bivalves, such as oysters and mussels. A CSS employee owner organizes and coordinates the regional missions to collect and test samples. This includes developing a schedule and coordinating…