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Marine Ecology and Environmental Science

Dr. Jeff Shimeta's Research Laboratory
School of Applied Sciences

Two people collecting marine protozoa

Sectioning sediment cores to collect marine protozoa.

Research Areas

Our research activities involve Honours and Postgraduate degree students. Opportunities are currently available.

General areas of interest and expertise:

  • Settlement of marine invertebrate larvae, particularly fouling species.
  • Microbial ecology of aquatic biofilms.
  • Ecology of aquatic protozoans.
  • Impacts of ocean acidification on marine invertebrates.
  • Impacts and control of the invasive saltmarsh grass Spartinaanglica in Australia.
  • Small-scale physical-biological interactions in marine ecology, particularly ecological effects of water flow.
  • Mechanics of suspension feeding by aquatic invertebrates and protozoa.
Sedimentary ciliate Euplotes

The ciliate Euplotes, which inhabits marine biofilms.

Current Projects

1. Ecology of Aquatic Protozoans, including their Roles in Biofilms and Settlement of Invertebrate Larvae.

Protozoans such as flagellates and ciliates play key roles in aquatic food webs by consuming microbes, recycling nutrients, and serving as prey for invertebrates. We are studying several aspects of protozoan species assemblages, distributions, activities, and interactions with environmental factors and other species in aquatic habitats. A current focus is on protozoa in microbial biofilms, and their interactions with settling larvae of invertebrates. Most marine invertebrates have a free-swimming larval stage that selects a suitable substratum site on which to settle and metamorphose into the adult form. Interactions between larvae and microbial biofilms on substrata are important for determining invertebrate recruitment and adult distributions. We are investigating the roles of protozoa in microbial biofilms and their influences on settlement rates and survival of marine invertebrates, focusing on fouling species (e.g. tube worms, bryozoans, mussels, etc.) that colonise hard substrata including rocks, boat hulls, and marine infrastructure. We are also investigating new technologies for anti-fouling coatings on marine infrastructure that will inhibit larval settlement.

2. Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Invertebrates.

Mussels and barnacles fouling the pilings under a pier

Mussels and barnacles fouling the pilings under a pier (photo by honours student T. Vlamis).

Anthropogenic, atmospheric CO2 is being absorbed into the oceans where it forms carbonic acid, reducing the pH of seawater as well as the dissolved carbonate available to marine organisms that manufacture calcium carbonate skeletons (corals, shellfish, plankton, etc.). Detrimental impacts of ocean acidification have already been documented in tropical coral reefs, and there is great concern that major areas of the oceans will become corrosive in the near decades. We are investigating the impacts of reduced pH and elevated temperature on molluscan shellfishes of commercial importance (e.g. abalone, oysters, scallops, mussels). Using controlled laboratory experiments with manipulated CO2 levels and temperature in aquaria, we are measuring threshold levels of acidification that disrupt various aspects of shellfish biology.

3. Impacts and Control of the Invasive Saltmarsh Grass Spartina anglica in Australia.

Spartina, known commonly as rice grass or cord grass, was introduced to Australia intentionally to stabilise estuarine sediments, but its extensive spread is altering intertidal habitats and native ecosystems across Victoria and Tasmania. Large-scale control programs are underway to spray these habitats with herbicides, but little research has been done on the specific impacts of Spartina in Australia or the environmental consequences of herbicide application. We are investigating the ecological changes in sedimentary communities associated with Spartina invasion, and we will begin ecotoxicology studies on herbicide impacts. This research will improve our understanding of invasive species dynamics and will help to inform local management decisions.

Students interested in research opportunities for Honours, Masters, or Ph.D. degrees should contact Dr. Jeff Shimeta.

Mussel larvae being studied in the lab

Mussel larvae (approx. 0.2 mm) being studied in the laboratory to understand their settlement behaviour (photo by honours student T. Vlamis).

Recent Research Grants

"Control of invasive Spartina anglica in saltmarshes; impacts of herbicide spraying on the community of benthic macrofaunal invertebrates and sedimentary conditions." Parks Victoria, 2011.

"Marine fouling invertebrates; investigating their colonisation mechanisms to better protect marine infrastructure and biodiversity," Ian Potter Foundation, 2009-2010.

"Nutrient Cycling in Port Phillip Bay; The Role of Sedimentary Protozoa in Nitrification and Denitrification", Australia and Pacific Science Foundation, 2008 - 2010.

Research Facilities

Jeff Shimeta's research lab is on the Bundoora West campus in the School of Applied Sciences (Bldg 223, Level 1). Adjacent facilities include an aquaculture laboratory building, scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

The School of Applied Sciences also has a marine research laboratory at Lakes Entrance (PDF 1.26Mb), East Gippsland.

RMIT University is a member of the Victorian Marine Science Consortium, which provides use of the marine research laboratory at Queenscliff.

Publications

To see a list of research publications.

Invasive saltmarsh grass Spartina

Infestation of invasive saltmarsh grass Spartina in Anderson Inlet (photo by honours student J. Cutajar).

Contact Details

For further information please contact Dr Jeff Shimeta. Students interested in research opportunities please contact him directly.