Kevin P. Helmle, M.S.
Research Assistant
Email: "Kevin Helmle" <kevinh barney nova fred edu>
Research Work Description:
Massive reef-building corals can accrete skeleton containing annual density bands throughout their multi-century life spans. Methods for optical densitometry measurement of Annual density bands provide a record of linear extension, density, and calcification for individual corals over time. By assessing these growth records across latitudinal and environmental gradients, the varying impacts of climate change can be identified across both spatial and temporal scales. It is predicted that recent increases in sea surface temperatures and carbon dioxide levels have already altered coral growth in some locations.

Recent projects:
Skeletal architecture analysis using X-ray Computed Tomography
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/khelmle/diplmovie.html

Development of the Coral X-radiograph Densitometry System (CoralXDS+)
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/coralxds/index.html

Coral coring expedition of the Cape Verde Islands in the eastern Atlantic
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ncri/projects/cvdust/index.html

Coral coring cruise of the Lesser Antilles in the western Atlantic
http://www.nova.edu/ocean/ncri/case/cores/index.html

Measurement and analysis of extension, density, and calcification from corals of the eastern and western Atlantic
Analysis of fossil banding in middle Triassic corals from North America

Title of thesis/dissertation research project:
Coral growth recorded by annual skeletal density bands and the recent response to climate change

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Richard Dodge

Academic areas of interest:
Coral Reef Biology and Geology, Sclerochronology, Paleoclimatology, Coral Growth and Calcification

Publications:
Banks K.W., B.M. Riegl, V.P. Richards, B.K. Walker, K.P. Helmle, L.K.B. Jordan, M.S. Shivji, R.E. Spieler, R.E. Dodge (2008). "The reef tract of continental southeast Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, USA)". In: Riegl B, Dodge RE (eds): Coral reefs of the USA, Springer, Dordrecht, pp 173-218.

Smith, J.M., T.M. Quinn, K.P. Helmle, and R.B. Halley (2006) "Reproducibility of geochemical and climatic signals in the Atlantic coral Montastraea faveolata". Paleoceanography, 21, PA1010, doi:10.1029/2005PA001187.

Eakin, C.M., P.K. Swart, T.M. Quinn, K.P. Helmle, J.M Smith, and R.E. Dodge (2005) "Application of Paleoclimatology to Coral Reef Monitoring and Management". Proceedings of 10th Int Coral Reef Symp. Okinawa, Japan June 28-July 2 2004.

Moses, C.S., K.P. Helmle, P.K. Swart, R.E. Dodge, and S.E. Merino (2003) "Pavements of Siderastrea radians on Cape Verde reefs" Coral Reefs 22(4): 506.

Helmle, K.P., R.E. Dodge, and R.A. Ketcham (2002) "Skeletal architecture and density banding in Diploria strigosa by X-ray computed tomography" Proceedings of 9th Int Coral Reef Symp. Bali, Indonesia Oct. 23-27 2000, Vol. 1, pp 365-371.