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Joseph S. Ramus

Professor Emeritus
Marine Science and Conservation
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516

Overview


The theme of my research is the ecological response of a large estuary, the Pamlico Sound system, to watershed scale natural and anthropogenic perturbations. The information will be used in predictive modeling to guide policy and management actions, e.g., river basin nutrient management plans. A specific program, initiated in 2000 with Hans Paerl (UNC-CH-IMS), is FerryMon. This is time and space intensive measurement of water quality parameters, and is designed to fast track status and trends analysis for the Sound. It utilizes fully automated sonde and grab sampler systems aboard NC DOT ferries which ply the Pamlico Sound and its tributary rivers. A high priority is the coupling of the FerryMon program to coastal remote sensing (IR, VIS and LIDAR). FerryMon data are an ideal calibration tool for remote sensors, the latter offering 2-D coverage of the Pamlico Sound system. FerryMon is sufficiently time intensive to coincide with remote sensor flyovers without scheduling logistics, and therefore is the ideal complement to remote sensing programs.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Recent Publications


Water quality gradients across Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system: Seasonal variations and model applications

Journal Article Journal of Coastal Research · January 1, 2007 The seasonal variations of water quality parameters as nitrite plus nitrate (NOx-), total phosphate (PO43-), chlorophyll a (chl a), and dissolved oxygen (DO) are analyzed across the Croatan-Roanoke-Albemarle-Paml ... Full text Cite

Ecological response to hurricane events in the Pamlico Sound system, North Carolina, and implications for assessment and management in a regime of increased frequency

Journal Article Estuaries and Coasts · January 1, 2006 Since the mid 1990s, the Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions have experienced a dramatic increase in the number of hurricane landfalls. In eastern North Carolina alone, eight hurricanes have affected the coast in the past 9 years. These storms have exhibited i ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Coupling Human and Natural Influences on Coastline Evolution as Climate Changes

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2005 - 2011

FSML - Technology and Teleconferencing Improvements for the Duke University Marine Laboratory

EquipmentPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2005 - 2008

FSML-Living Resources Care System

Construction/RenovationPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Division of Undergraduate Education · 1997 - 2000

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of California, Berkeley · 1968 Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley · 1963 B.A.