Diving Grad Student at UF

[thornmallow]

This Board is very persistent about getting me to introduce myself, so I guess I'll give in and stop lurking!

Hi, I'm a relatively new diver in central Florida. My primary reason for getting certified was so that I won't have to hold my breath in order to do my research! I study the aquatic plant communities found in the spring-fed rivers here in Florida. I'm currently only OW and Nitrox certified (ok, and First Aid, CPR, DAN O2, and Hazmat...), and I'm in the middle of working on Advanced and Rescue.

Yes that's a shark in my picture (scalloped hammerhead, came up dead on the line), but no, I don't work on sharks. I was just helping out another lab with their monthly shark-tagging trip. I do, however, date a shark biologist!

Happy diving everyone!

 

[stairman]

Welcome.Aquatic plants seem to thrive in the waterways more now than ever.Nitrate runoff from farms I suspect.

 

[thornmallow]

That's one thing that gets blamed. I'm actually interested in the shift that seems to be occurring -- in a lot of rivers there has been a sharp decline in the amount of rooted vegetation (like the grasses Vallisneria and Saggitaria) and a simultaneous increase in that lovely filamentous algae.

Which rivers are you familiar with? I'm always interested to hear local impressions, you can learn a lot that way...

 

[stairman]

The Sante fe comes to mind with all the hydrilla.I was once told that much of it isnt indigeous to Florida and was introduced years ago by tropical aqhariums being dumped out in the waterways.That may be a myth you could bust since you would know.Ichetucknee is another river Ive snorkeled and enjoy.Randy...

 

[Captain Walt]

Welcome to the board Diver. I am drying out this weekend....Been diving so much the fish are getting to know me on a first name basis. Going back out tomorrow. Y'all dive safe and enjoy.

 

[stairman]

Hey cap,is offshore Savannah similar in vis to Jax?

 

[Bob Vincent]

Hi ...

& Welcome to ...
:sblogo::colouredsmilies::colouredsmilies:

 

[floridanewbe]

welcome aboard go gators