Protecting Georgia's Marine Ecosystems: Light Pollution, Oysters, and More with Dr. Chris Hintz

This episode of the Tybee Marine Science Center Podcast (recorded at the Ship Watch Loft on Tybee Island) features award-winning marine biologist Dr. Chris Hintz, associate professor at Savannah State University.   Hintz recounts arriving at Savannah State in 2009, early NSF-funded coastal sampling along the Savannah River and Georgia coast, and his path from chemical/environmental engineering into marine science via coral aquaculture and filtration work, leading to a PhD at the University of South Carolina. He discusses receiving a Google Geo Good Impact award for documenting sea turtle hatchling misorientation linked to coastal light pollution affecting Ossabaw Island and other sites, plus efforts to estimate nest incubation temperatures using NOAA/NWS and NASA data without disturbing nests and to assess climate-related sex-ratio impacts.   He also describes collaborations on Ogeechee River microplastics and Gray’s Reef concerns, and research on oyster growth, reef restoration, and aquaculture’s environmental benefits.   Learn more about the voices and topics in this episode: Follow Tybee Marine Science on Instagram   Where's Westie UPDATES   What's happening at Tybee Island Marine Science Center Resources: Become a MEMBER Volunteer at Tybee Island Marine Science Center Partnership and Donation Opportunities Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media Podcast Network   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Welcome and Awards 01:19 Georgia Coast Origin Story 03:19 Engineering to Ocean Science 09:22 Sea Turtle Light Pollution 12:05 Tracking Nest Temperatures 15:01 Microplastics and Rivers 16:32 Oysters and Acidification 18:50 Aquaculture Benefits Explained 22:41 Microscopic Ocean Monsters 23:45 State of the Ocean Today 25:29 Relaxing on the Water 27:17 Closing and Support TMSC