Environmental Impacts

Electrosensory Sensitive Species Study

Led by Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D.
Affiliated Home Campus: Boca Raton
Affiliated Department: Biological Sciences
REU Scholar: Olivia Beres
REU Scholar Home Institution: Washington University in St. Louis

PROJECT

The impact of anthropogenic electric and magnetic fields on the behavior of electro- and magneto-sensitive species is largely unexplored. As offshore power generator installations increase, it becomes critical to understand what environmental impacts they impose. A methodology will be developed to measure in 3 dimensions the magnetic field produced by subsea cables as they port electricity from off shore power generators to the onshore power grid. This project will involve writing code to control a linear translation stage, reading out data from a 3-axis magnetometer, plotting the data in 3 dimensions, and creating a visualized magnetic field. This project would be ideal for someone with a background in computer science, programming, engineering, or robotics.

Click here to watch the student presentation.

Additional Information
Florida Atlantic's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute engages with the community through the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center and the Ocean Science Lecture Series. Harbor Branch’s research and outreach programs translate marine science in order to provide solutions that improve economies and quality of life for coastal communities.
Address
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Florida Atlantic University
5600 US 1 North
Fort Pierce, FL 34946