The life of tilapia in California’s

Salton Sea became the subject of a project, winning Sacramento

State student Shannon Waters recognition by the CSU Board of

Trustees.

Waters, a graduate student of

biological conservation, was part of a select group of Sac State

students to show light on their research to CSU officials,

including Chancellor Charles Reed, during a board meeting held on

Jan. 24.

“Life or Death on the Salton Sea,” was

one of the projects presented to the board. Ron Coleman, associate

professor of biological sciences, accompanied Waters on her

presentation.

The foundation of Waters’ research is

based upon the reproductive success of tilapia in California’s

Salton Sea – a shallow, salty body of water located in the Imperial

Valley of Southern California and approximately 580 miles from

Sacramento.

The Salton Sea serves as a feeding

ground for pelicans, which rely on the steady reproduction of fish

to sustain its diet.

“The bottom of the sea is very salty,”

Coleman said. “The water is dissolving this salt, which is causing

(freshwater) fish to die, as well as some marine fish.”

Freshwater fish are found in lakes and

rivers, and can survive only in low salinity conditions. In

contrast, marine fish dwell in saltwater locations such as

oceans.

Coleman said there is one species of

fish that does well in the Salton Sea, despite its living

conditions.

“When the tilapias bred, they produced

a very unique hybrid tilapia, which actually does very well in the

Salton,” Coleman said.

Coleman said one reason these tilapia

are able to survive such saline waters is due to an advantageous

trait.

“Cichlids, (a species to which these

tilapia belong) carry their eggs in their mouths,” Coleman said.

“This protection enables this species to produce large numbers very

quickly.”

The salinity of the Salton Sea is an

issue that grows with prominence for Waters and Coleman.

“Every day it gets saltier, because

the water continues to dissolve the salt on the bottom,” Coleman

said. “In 10 years, it is expected to be at 60 parts per

thousand.”

He said on average, an ocean has

approximately 32 grams of solutes per kilogram, which means for

every 1,000 grams of water, there are 32 grams of salt. The Salton

Sea is currently reaching levels of 43 grams of solutes and is

steadily rising.

Coleman said even though the hybrid

tilapia are able to survive these conditions, their reproductive

success is uncertain as the Salton Sea rapidly gets saltier.

One solution is to add fresh water,

but the professor said the shortage of water will affect its

accessibility in terms of price and politics.

“Since we don’t have much freshwater,

it makes it very expensive,” Coleman said. “It is also an issue

that is very politically charged.”

The question driving Waters’ research

was this: How little freshwater can be used to sustain thriving

conditions? Coleman said the project idea originated with Waters,

who has had a long-term interest in this area.

“(The Salton Sea) is a really unique

place,” Waters said. “Some may view it as a stink-hole, but you

have to look beyond the poor air quality and see it for what it

really is.”

Waters said receiving recognition from

the CSU Board of Trustees makes her feel like she is progressing in

the right direction.

“It feels good to bring these lesser

known issues to light,” Waters said.

Coleman said he feels it is important

to spread awareness that student research is still alive and

thriving, and students are exercising their full potential within

the CSU system.

“It shows (the board) that (research)

does matter, and that some students do make a difference,” Coleman

said.

Other projects displayed to the board

include one authored by Katy Janes and co-authored by Jay

Heffernan, both graduate students in geology. Their project showed

how restoration work performed on the American River has affected

salmon’s habitat.

Associate geology professor Tim Horner

accompanied them on their project.

The other project was authored by Sac

State student Emilie Zelazo, who was accompanied by Michelle

Stevens, professor of environmental studies.

Janes said she loves what she does,

and is glad to be able to share her findings with others.

“To be recognized for our efforts is

new to me,” Janes said. “I feel it is always important to give

scientists the chance to show their excitement for what they

study.”

Janes said she understands the

important role of the board, but appreciates the ability to

communicate what goes on at campus level.

“What (the board) does is important,”

Janes said. “It gives all of us at campus level an avenue to do

what we do best, (which is) learn.

“When you are stuck in back to- back

business meetings, and things become about compromise and

negotiation, it’s hard to remember what it’s all for.”

Alex Slavas can be reached at

“_blank”>[email protected].