Gary L. Taghon Professor Marine benthic ecology, animal-sediment-flow interactions

Email:
Phone: 732-932-6555 x. 547

Education: Ph.D., University of Washington

Research Interests:
My research focuses on the organisms inhabiting marine sediments. Two major areas of emphasis are bioremediation of organic contaminants in sediments, and understanding the processes that control the supply of food particles to benthic organisms. In the first area, we are studying the feasibility of biological methods for remediating contaminated sediments. This involves a combination of basic and applied research. Our focus is on understanding how the ecological processes which occur in marine sediments will affect the survival and activities of contaminant-degrading microorganisms. In the second area, we are studying the effects of variable seafloor roughness on the supply of food particles to surf clams. Based on fluid dynamic principles, variability in the roughness of the bottom will affect the supply rate of food particles to the seafloor and the animals that live there. Little is known about the quantitative importance of such processes, however. This research involves experimental manipulation of seafloor there. Little is known about the quantitative importance of such processes, however. This research involves experimental manipulation of seafloor roughness and determination of the effects of such treatments on condition and growth of surf clams.