GOMESA Application Details

Internal Project Number: 1274
1. Title of Project: Evaluation and Monitoring of Marine Mammal Health in the Mississippi Sound
2. Location of Project: Mississippi State University (MSU) Global Center for Aquatic Heath and Food Security in Starkville, and MSU Gulf Coast Aquatic Health Laboratory on the MS Gulf Coast
3. Requesting Organization: Mississippi State University
4a. Name: Kacey Strickland
4b. Position
4c. Phone Number: 662-325-7404
4d. Fax Number
4e. Address Line 1: Office of Sponsored Projects
4e. Address Line 2: 301 Research Blvd.
4e. City, State Zip: Starkville, MS 39759
4f. Email: aor@osp.msstate.edu
5. FundingRequested: $1,533,963
Awarded Amount:: $0
6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources: No
7a. Amount of Additional Funds: $0
7b. Source of Additional Funds
8. Total Project Funds Amount: $1,533,963
9. Project Description/Overview: This proposed project will assess environmental factors affecting the health of dolphins in the Mississippi Sound (MSS). We aim to examine the effects of freshwater from Mississippi River diversion compared to native Mississippi rivers draining into the MSS on mortalities of bottlenose dolphins. First, we will modify an existing hydrodynamic model (Shahidzadehasadi et al., 2024) to simulate water quality parameters individual dolphins experienced in their habitat during the time before death. Second, we will assess the influence of river sources on MSS dolphins. The isotopic landscape of the MSS and river systems that contribute notable flow to the MSS will be analyzed, and then we will evaluate dolphins with stable isotope analysis (SIA) to determine if freshwater (FW) exposure occurred and the source of the exposure. This information will be useful for evaluating the environment because water quality not only affects dolphins but also the entire food web. Third, we will investigate the source of environmental toxicants we previously identified in MSS dolphins (Landrau Giovannetti et al., in review) through analysis of river sources and prey species. Toxicant levels of MSS river sources will be investigated, as well as toxicant levels in prey species of dolphins in the MSS. From these investigations, we seek to better understand toxicant presence throughout the food web and their accumulation in the environment. Fourth, this project will assess whether bacteria we previously identified in dolphin freshwater lesions (Streptococcus and Aeromonas) are statistically associated with dolphin skin lesions using microbiological and histological techniques. These bacteria were identified in the microbiome of dolphins stranded during the 2019 UME (Unusual Mortality Event). These findings are particularly important for delineating pathogenesis of skin lesions in dolphins. Fifth, this project will expand on previous work to determine the genetic diversity of dolphins in the MSS and investigate potential links between genetic subgroups and sources of water, toxicant exposure, and skin lesions. Additional dolphins that died after 2021 will be analyzed, and an established epidemiological database will be used to assess health trends of dolphins in the MSS over time. In summary, this project will utilize the above-mentioned analyses to improve our understanding of factors affecting the health of dolphins in the MS Sound.
10. Project Goals/Objectives: 1. Hydrodynamic Modeling: The drifting nature of dolphin carcasses before stranding makes determining the precise location and environmental conditions at the time of death challenging. To address this, the objectives here are 1a) continue updating and refining a hydrodynamic/water quality/particle tracking model of the MSS (Shahidzadehasadi et al., 2024) and update it to run through 2023, 1b) simulate trajectories of dolphin carcasses, 1c) delineate habitat ranges for dolphin genetic subpopulations, 1d) ascertain the salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and riverine flow levels experienced by dolphins leading up to their deaths. Simulations will be run for approximately 60 recently dead (code 2) dolphin carcasses whose genetic codes have been identified (Arick et al. in preparation). The model will be used to identify water quality conditions (including salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and riverine flow) for the habitat range of each dolphin in the time leading up to death. 2. Stable Isotope Analysis (SIA): FW exposure is a commonly recognized threat to bottlenose dolphins in the MS Sound (MSS) and many areas around the world. We will apply SIA tools using sulfur, oxygen, and/or carbon isotopes to assess FW exposure in stranded bottlenose dolphins to: 2a) determine if there is evidence of FW exposure among dolphins stranded in the MSS, 2b) determine if FW exposure is increasing over time, 2c) work to identify the source of FW exposure by assessing the "isotopic landscape" of coastal rivers and the Mississippi River, and 2d) determine if and how dolphin tissue decomposition affects isotopic ratios. 3. Investigate the source of environmental contaminants identified by Landrau-Giovannetti et al. (in review) by 3a) analyzing water from collected river samples for persistent organic pollutant (POPs) and heavy metals, 3b) analyzing microplastics in bottlenose dolphin tissue for carriage of toxicants, and 3c) analyzing water and tissue of prey fish in the MS Sound to determine if toxicants are originating from lower trophic levels. 4. Determine whether detection of Streptococcus and Aeromonas is significantly associated with FW lesions. Both pathogens were detected in the microbiome of dolphin FW skin lesions. PCR assays for Streptococcus and Aeromonas will be developed and utilized to determine association with FW lesions. Presence of the pathogens in lesions will be determined through in situ hybridization. 5. Determine if the population structure of MSS dolphins are shifting over time by extending our genetic analysis (Arick et al. in review) into recent years. Temporal and geographical analysis will be conducted to evaluate dolphin populations, and integration of genetic subgroup data into our epidemiology/pathology database will enable investigation of associations with toxicants, water sources, and pathogens.
11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?

(A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses

(B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.: Yes: The MSS is a critical economic and natural resource for the State of Mississippi. Common bottlenose dolphins are not only an important natural resource, but as apex predators, their health reflects the environmental health of the MSS. Project goals address testing water and tissues of dolphins to delineate the impact of water conditions (including freshwater exposure from different river sources), environmental contaminants, and infectious agents on the health of these important animals. Findings from this project will inform MDMR for making important management decisions to mitigate threats to health of fish, wildlife, and natural resources in the MSS.

(C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

(D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.

12. Project Timetable/Milestones: This is a 2-year project. Data collection, analysis, and reporting will be conducted in year 1, and data collection, analysis, reporting, and publication preparation will be done in year 2. Water quality. By the end of this project, we aim to have a comprehensive understanding of the effects of water quality on mortalities of distinct genetic subpopulations of dolphins in the Mississippi Sound (MSS). In year 1, an existing 3D hydrodynamic model (EFDC+ 11.2) developed by Armandei et al (2021) will be refined and extended into 2021-23 through mapping of additional code 2 dolphins and by adding water quality data into the model. In year 2, the refined model will be used to map conditions individual dolphins experienced in the days and weeks before death. Stable isotope analysis. This project will investigate river source effects on dolphins, particularly those with freshwater (FW) lesions. Water samples will be collected in year 1, and dolphin tissues will be identified for analysis. Stable isotope analysis will begin in year 1 and continue into year 2, followed by data analysis to determine impact of FW exposure among stranded dolphins, assess the relative exposure of MSS dolphins to different river systems, and determine whether tissue decomposition affects isotopic ratios. Bacterial pathogens. We will investigate whether there is an association of Streptococcus or Aeromonas with FW lesions by PCR analysis and histological techniques. In year 1, PCR methods will be developed, and PCR analysis of selected tissues will be done. In situ hybridization to detect the pathogens in lesions will be done in year 2. Toxicant analysis. Work previously performed described the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals in dolphin tissues from the MSS (Landrau Giovannetti et al. in review). Water samples will be the same as those used for stable isotope analysis and will be collected in year 1. Prey fish samples will also be collected in year 1. Toxicant analysis will be conducted after sample collection in year 1 and completed in year 2. Methods for isolation of microplastics will be developed in year 1. In year 2, microplastics will be analyzed for carrying toxicants such as perfluorooctane sulfonate, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene. Dolphin genetics. Genetic analysis of MSS dolphins will be extended into 2022 and 2023 to enable analysis of changes in MSS subpopulations over time. Sample selection and genetic analysis will be conducted in year 1. In year 2, associations between genetic subgroups and water quality conditions, river water exposure, toxicant exposure, and bacterial pathogens will be analyzed. By the end of this project, we aim to generate results that will inform MDMR on their conservation and management of MSS dolphins and their habitat.
13. Project Timing: Short-term
14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):

15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?: The Mississippi River drains 41% of the contiguous U.S. Industrial activities and agriculture potentially release environmental toxicants from the Mississippi River drainage basin into the Mississippi Sound (MSS) and may be responsible for toxicants we detected in bottlenose dolphin tissues (Landrau-Giovannetti et al., publication in review). The analyses outlined in this project proposal will provide important information about the health of Mississippi's marine resources and potential sources of contamination. Specifically, this project aims to differentiate effects of the Mississippi River compared to native Mississippi rivers on the health of dolphins in the MSS. It will investigate potential sources of environmental toxicants by analyzing water, dolphin tissues, and prey fish from the MSS. This project looks to determine the river source effects on the MSS resident dolphin population through the use of stable isotope analysis. These investigations will reveal the level and source of freshwater (FW) and its effects on MSS dolphins, including their microbiome. By extending genetic analysis into most recent years from work previously performed (Arick II, in review), this project will help determine changes in the MSS resident dolphin populations over time. These analyses would be beneficial to Mississippi and MDMR by providing up-to-date assessments on our resident dolphin population and a scientific basis for MDMR management of the MSS and adjacent waters. In particular, the effects of the MSS environment and river sources on health of resident MSS dolphins will be assessed. This data made available to MDMR will support management decisions and help MDMR enhance, protect, and conserve marine life and their habitats to support sustainable use of Mississippi’s marine resources for present and future generations.

16. Estimated Years To Completion: 2
17. Estimated Completion Date: 12/31/2026

Budget:

Salaries,Wages, Fringe: $517,799
Travel: $40,000
Architecture & Engineering: $0
Legal: $0
Consulting: $0
Construction: $0
Site Work: $0
Equipment: $0
Indirects: $416,683
Other: $559,481
Total: $1,533,963


Application Submission Date: 06/28/2024
Fiscal Year: 2026
Project Status
Application Status: Submitted
Meets Criteria
Internal Notes:
Attachments:: https://gomesa_internal/attachments/GOMESA_1274_Attachments.pdf
Hyperlink:: Attachments

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