Evelyn Otto, a Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) researcher, has just finished the first phase of her research project and is headed back to University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa to continue her master’s program.
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For the past 8 weeks, Evelyn has been conducting field research in Palau. She chose the Malakal outflow pipe as her study site; studying the effects of sewage outflow on corals. In doing so, she collected water samples as well as coral samples at the site. Evelyn brought the water samples back to the lab at PICRC and looked at the nutrient levels in the water. In addition, she transplanted the coral samples to a site near Dolphin’s Pacific, which is not affected by the sewage outflow. With this experiment, she can get an understanding of the effects of high nutrient levels on coral health and growth.
As Ms. Otto wraps up her field work here in Palau, she is headed back to the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan to continue on with her master’s program. Because this research project is part of her course of study, she will continue her study by conducting lab experiments in order to gain a full understanding of the impacts of sewer outflow on corals.
Evelyn has completed about 8 months of her program, leaving her with a year and a half before completing and obtaining a master’s degree in Marine Biology. PICRC looks forward to Evelyn’s return after she completes her Master’s program to take on her position as a full time researcher at the Center. [/restrict]