The intent of these extra credit assignments is to help you enhance your grade and to help reinforce the material presented in class and lab.In each case, these are voluntary assignments and you will not be penalized if you do not participate.

If you elect to complete this assignment, your grade will be adjusted accordingly. Each submission will be worth up to10 points, to be added to your final exam grade.You may do from zero to three of them, so if your last exam could increase from say a 60% to a 90% if you do a good job, and if you submit three (3) papers. This couldraise your score by one letter grade so it's worth the effort. Here are the requirements:

a) minimum of 2,000 words per paper

b) must have at least 3 reference sources per paper

c) reference your sources (web site, publication)

d) typed; single or double spaced

e) may be submitted electronically (by email)

f) due the week BEFORE the final exam

d) must be your own work (no collaboration, no plagiarism) and in your own words; don't just copy and paste from the web pages; I'll be able to tell.

Topic

Coastal erosion in Mississippi (where the problems are, what's been done)

Wetlands Permitting in Mississippi (what is required for various activities and where to get them)

The "head zone" in Louisiana (this is due to anoxia, but why does it form and what can be done to prevent it)

Oyster diseases (things which make them poisonous to us)

Menhaden fisheries in Mississippi (what's a Menhaden, what is it used for, how are they caught, how many are caught, etc.)

Harmful Algal Blooms (red tides, why do we care, what causes them)

Shrimp acquaculture (in the US and/or worldwide, what the problems are)

Red drum acquaculture (in the US and/or worldwide, what the problem are)

Oyster Acquaculture (in the US and/or worldwide, what the problems are)

Artificial reefs: attractant or habitat enhancement? (We build a lot of these, but do they work?)

Marine pollution: oil (why it's a hazard, how it is treated, what kinds are worse than others)

Marine pollution: plactic (why it's a hazard, how long it lasts, what the law is)

Marine pollution: heavy metals (mercury, etc., where does it come from, why is it dangerous)

History of Deep Sea Drilling Project (Extra 2 points if you find information on "project Mohole" and include it in your report. This is a fun project and real easy, at least the first 10 points)

El Nino (we'll cover this in class; lots of information on the web about it)

Global warming: current data and trends (1999 or later; what the data show; what the outlook is)

Ozone hole: location, cause, and effects on life on earth (extra point if you include a map or satellite picture of the hole which is less than 3 months old)

Global Carbon budget: (include the ocean sources and sinks and what pieces don=t add up. Extra 2 points if you do this one and can write 2000 words without using the word "Aflux")

Mullet roe fishery in Mississippi: economics and ecology

Gill nets: design, application and controversy (this was a big deal in Florida; they are now illegal most places except in Mississippi; extra 2 points if you can name the person who introduced the regulation requiring "biodegradable" nets in Mississippi)

Subsidence in the Mississippi River delta: past and future (how do we know the history; what are the concerns)

Bonne Carre Spillway openings and impact on Miss Sound (they opened it a few years ago; why)

Iron limitation on primary productivity (was a hot topic a few years ago; still controversial)

ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler): how it works and how we use it

Life history of the speckled trout in Mississippi waters (for all of these, discuss)

Life history of the red drum in Mississippi waters where spawning occurs

Life history of the brown shrimp in Mississippi waters where eggs are laid

Life history of the striped mullet in Mississippi waters where the "young" mature

Life history of the oyster in Mississippi waters, etc.)

Biofouling and how to prevent it (USM has some scientists working on this; 2 points extra credit for a personal quote from any one of them)