Professor of Marine Science, Department of Marine
Science 1020 Balch Blvd. Stennis Space Center, MS39529-9904 phone: (228) 688-3178 fax: 228-688-1121 vernon.asper@usm.edu
Ph.D.
Marine Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution, 1986
M.S.
Oceanography, University of Hawaii, 1981
B.S.
Biology and Chemistry, Messiah College, 1978
RESEARCH INTERESTS
CURRENT
RESEARCH:
ROSS
SEA, ANTARCTICA:
Interannual Variability in the Antarctic-Ross
Sea (IVARS): Nutrients and Seasonal Production
The Objectives of this study are to continue
and improve a time series of chemical-biological
measurements that have been initiated in the
Ross Sea to determine if interannual variations
in seasonal production occur, and if they do,
what is their magnitude. Once the magnitude
of these variations is established, we will
try to relate such variations to ice distribution
and patterns of ice retreat.
Dr. Asper's research focuses on investigations
of particle dynamics in the ocean including
their formation, settling characteristics, decomposition,
remineralization, and eventual fate. To study
these parameters, he uses a suite of imaging
technologies and computerized sensors, many
of which have been designed and fabricated at
USM. Examples include the MAGENUM (Marine AGgregate
ENUMerator) which investigates the abundance
of larger aggregates throughout the water column,
the MASCOT (Marine Aggregate Setting Collector
and Observation Tube) which investigates the
flux and sinking speed of aggregates using a
moored sediment trap/camera combination, and
most recently, a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
The ROV has been equipped with a digital still
camera, acoustic navigation system, altimeter,
and a novel 3-dimensional, laser-scanned imaging
system. PALMER STATION, ANTARCTICA:(PRIMO)
This project will develop a remote underwater
observatory, which will allow scientists to
make internet-based virtual visits to the sub-ice
ocean environment off Palmer Station. The observatory
will consist of an instrument package on the
seafloor ~2-3 km from Palmer Station in 50 to
100m of water. The package will be connected
by electro-optical cable to shore providing
the capability for internet-based teleoperation
by scientists, educators, and students from
any where in the world. The observatory will
consist of a vertical profiler with CTD, Video
Plankton Recorder, hydrophone, current meter,
sensors for chlorophyll and CDOM fluorescence,
oxygen, nitrate, a bio-optical package, andan
under ice video observation surveillance system.
The profiler will rise to the surface multiple
times per day from a seafloor-mounted platform
consisting of a winch, ADCP and a remote video
camera. STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MISSISSIPPI (Undersea
Vehicles Technology Center) The National Institute for Undersea
Science and Technology (NIUST) was established
in 2002 in partnership with NOAA's Undersea
Research Program (NURP) to develop and apply
new technologies that enhance undersea research.
NIUST is made up of three divisions: the Ocean
Biotechnology Center & Repository (OBCR),
the Seabed Technology Research Center (STRC),
and the Undersea Vehicles Technology Center
(UVTC) which broadly encompass the fields of
biotechnology (e.g., biomedical and agrochemical
products) and engineered technologies (e.g.,
instrumentation development) in the marine environment.
NIUST is providing cutting edge technologies
to NURP and their constituencies to further
the nation's research capabilities in nearshore,
deep water, and extreme marine environments.
Dr. Asper is the Director of the UVTC program.
The overall goal of the program is the development
of viable technologies involving interactive
communication, systems command and control,
data assimilation and processing, and artificial
intelligence appropriate for the operation/deployment
of ROVs and AUVs. The Center has purchased an
AUV from International Submarine Engineering
(ISE) LTD. The 2200m AUV carries a Kongsberg
EM2000 multibeam echosounder and other equipment
and sensors as needed. The vehicle's expected
delivery date is fall of 2005. Please visit
the center web site www.usm.edu/niust
COURSES
Introduction
to Ocean Science (MAR 151)
Survey of the physical, chemical, geological
and biological features of the ocean.
Geological
Oceanography (MAR 581)
Study of the formation and deformation of the
oceanic crust and the distribution and character
of marine sediments.
Seminar
in Marine Science (MAR 689)
Current topics in marine science explored via
student discussion and presentation.
Fundamental information on marine geological
processes oriented towards application by hydrographers.
SELECTED
PUBLICATIONS
Asper,
V.L. and W.O. Smith (1999). Particle Fluxes
During Austral Spring and Summer in the Southern
Ross Sea, Antarctica. J. Geophysical Research
104(C3): 5345-5359
Diercks,
A-R and V.L. Asper (1997). Vertical Distribution
of Marine Snow Aggregates at the Equator at
140W: An Estimate of Settling Speeds from the
Marine Aggregate ENUMerator camera (MAGENUM)
and Comparison with the Water Column Structure
During the JGOFS EQPAC Study 1992. Deep-Sea
Research. 44(3): 385-398.
Asper,
V. L., S. Honjo, and T. H. Orsi. (1992).
Distribution and transport of marine snow aggregates
in the Panama Basin. Deep-Sea Res. 39(6):
939-952.
Asper,
V. L., W. G. Deuser, G. A. Knauer, and S.
E. Lohrenz. (1992). Rapid biogeochemical coupling
between surface and deep ocean waters via particles.
Nature. 358: 670-672.
Asper,
V. L. (1987). Measuring the flux and sinking
speed of marine snow aggregates. Deep-Sea
Res. 34(1): 1-17.
Asper,
V. L. (1987). A review of sediment trap
technique. J. Mar. Tech. Soc. 21(2):
18-25.
Asper,
V.L. and W.O. Smith (1999) Particle
Fluxes During Austral Spring and Summer in the
Southern Ross Sea, Antarctica. J. Geophys. Res.104(C3), 5345-5359.
Smith,
W.O., Jr., H.J. Niebauer, and V. Asper
(1999) Coupling of surface layer biological
processes and vertical flux in the Ross Sea.
In Ross Sea Ecology, F. Faranda, L.
Guiglielmo and A. Ianora (eds.). Springer, Berlin,
151-157.
Johnson,
D., V. Asper, T. McClimans
and A. Weidemann (2000) Optical properties of
the Kara Sea. J. Geophys. Res 105(C4)
pp. 8805-8811.
Smith,
W.O. Jr., and V.Asper (2000)
A balanced nitrogen budget of the southern Ross
Sea, Antarctica Geophys. Res. Let. 27(17)
2721-2724.
Smith,
W.O., Jr. and V.L. Asper (2001)
Spatial and temporal variations in phytoplankton
biomass in the Ross Sea polynya. Deep-Sea
Res. I 48: 137-161.
Asper,
V.L., and W.O. Smith, Jr. (submitted)
The distrtibution of particulate organic carbon
and its dynamics in the southern Ross Sea, Submitted
to Antarctic Research Series (G. DiTullio
and R. Dunbar, ed.).
Asper,
V. L. and W.O. Smith, Jr (submitted)
Abundance, Distribution and Sinking Rates of
Aggregates in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, Deep-Sea
Research
Pilskaln,
C.H., V.L. Asper and S.J. Manganini.
2002. US-China collaborative research program
on particulate organic matter export in the
Southern Indian Ocean, East Antarctica. Antarctic
Journal of the United States , 34, in press
(final issue online).
W.
M. Graham, , D.l L. Martin, D. L. Felder, V.
L. Asper, and H. M. Perry , 2003. Ecological
and economic implications of a tropical jellyfish
invader in the Gulf of Mexico. Biological
Invasions 5: 53.69
C.
H. Pilskaln, S. J. Manganini, T. W. Trull, L.
Armand, W. Howard, V. L. Asper
and R. Massom 2004. "Geochemical particle fluxes
in the Southern Indian Ocean seasonal ice zone:
Prydz Bay region, East Antarctica" Deep
Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research
Papers, Volume 51, Issue 2, February 2004,
Pages 307-332.
