Oceanographic & Coastal Processes
Research Focus AeaResearch Focus Area Overview
The coastal ocean, from the estuarine shoreline to the edge of the continental rise, is perhaps the most important and yet vulnerable areas of the world’s oceans. The chemical, physical, and biological processes that affect these coastal seas are intertwined and complex. Our researchers use interdisciplinary approaches, modeling and empirical, to obtain a quantitative understanding of these processes.
Research Labs
Marine Geochemistry & Coastal Dynamics
Lab
Oceanography & Marine Hydrokinetic Energy Ocean Lab
Coastal Engineering & Adaptation
Lab
Coastal Marine Processes & Geomorphology Lab
Ecology & Biogeochemistry
in Marine & Coastal
Systems Lab
Coasts & Oceans Observing
Lab
News
ECU Faculty Uses Hurricane Case Studies to Understand Environmental Migration
Residents of North Carolina’s Outer Banks usually observe a mass exodus of visitors from the beach prior to a hurricane. Once the storm has passed, residents immediately clean up and repair their homes and businesses, getting ready for the next set of hopeful tourists...
CSI Biologist Awarded Funding for Fisheries and Climate Change Work
With climate change at the forefront of environmental issues, one of the notable changes has been the rising temperature in our ocean waters which has resulted in the displacement of many marine species. Some species have been able to adapt, while others may be left...
Climate Impacts Coastal Wastewater Management and Town Planning
The anonymous statement “At the beach, life is different.” is an adage that often brings to mind many idealistic lifestyle visions of surf, sun, sand, and fun. However, the saying also holds true for wastewater treatment in many coastal communities. On the Outer...
Coastal Studies Institute and Jennette’s Pier Chosen as Test Site for Department of Energy Waves to Water Competition
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy recently announced that the Coastal Studies Institute, in partnership with Jennette’s pier, was chosen for the final testing stage of their American Made Challenges Waves to Water...
Study Shows Coral Reefs Provide Protection for Most Vulnerable People
Island nations are increasingly facing threats from large storm events such as hurricanes and cyclones. Often these small island developing nations include communities with a large number of poor and vulnerable people who are more susceptible to the impacts and damage...
D’Anna Studies Social Licensing to Understand Future Generation of MRE
The search for renewable energy sources is something becoming increasingly more mainstream, and for several years now the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program has been leading efforts to investigate the Gulf Stream off of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as a...
ECU Scientists Help Filter Through “Too Much Information” in the Mangrove Conservation World
As the situation with COVID-19 is showing us, science and data are most useful when they are made accessible and available to those who need and use them. This is just as true for global conservation efforts in this era of big data. Recently, an international team of...
ECU’s David Lagomasino to Help Assess Everglades Mangrove Recovery Post-Hurricane Irma
ECU Department of Coastal Studies assistant professor David Lagomasino is part of a team of researchers from ECU and Florida International University (FIU) who have been awarded funding from the National Parks Service for a project to assess the resilience and...
CSI, ECU Researchers Study Beach Nourishment Effects on Pea Island
Beach nourishment projects are no stranger to Outer Banks beaches which have experienced net erosion without human intervention. State regulations prohibit hard structure mitigation installments such as sea walls, bulkheads, and sandbags on the oceanfront leaving few...
Coastal Fellows Initiative: Ideas Meet Collaboration
Parasite invasion or “body-snatching”, effectively turning a host into a zombie, could well be the subject of the next binge-worthy Netflix series. For Dr. April Blakeslee, Assistant Professor in ECU’s Department of Biology and a researcher in marine systems, invasion...
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
