Marine Sciences

SAIC oceanographers, engineers, and marine scientists specialize in multidisciplinary studies for federal, state, local, and commercial customers.

Marine Biology and Ecology

SAIC offers extensive multidisciplinary expertise in marine biology and ecology studies that include the distribution and abundance of sensitive species and habitats. Our studies include:

  • Statistically-based sampling designs
  • Field surveys
  • Wetland and habitat delineation
  • Laboratory testing, statistical analysis
  • Risk assessment
  • Database management
  • Reporting
  • Agency coordination
  • Permitting

Field services involve the use of a full range of standard and innovative sampling equipment and methods, including the following:

  • Corers and grabs
  • Trawls and seines
  • Sediment profile cameras
  • Self-contained, underwater, breathing apparatus (SCUBA)
  • Remotely operted vehicles
  • Manned submersibles
  • Sediment profiling imagery
  • Global Positioning System/Geographic Information System (GPS/GIS)

Species and community studies are performed on benthic bottom communities (infauna and epifauna); fishes and fisheries species; marine mammals; birds; algae/kelp and plants, including seagrass and eelgrass; and threatened and endangered species. Habitats range from wetlands and estuaries, coastal and nearshore habitats, to offshore and deep water environments. Study products often focus on Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Environmental Impact Report (EIR), Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA), and Environmental Assessment (EA), permits/compliance, risk assessment, and baseline and monitoring reports.

Oceanography

During frequent oceanographic and environmental field operations, SAIC employs a wide array of current meters, wave and water level gauges, turbidity sensors, conductivity/temperature/depth probes, dissolved oxygen sensors, specialized water sampling instruments, and meteorological systems.

SAIC designs, deploys, and recovers shallow and deep-water moorings for both commercial and governmental customers with a consistently high rate of data return. SAIC develops specialized applications that provide innovative methods for storing, accessing, visualizing, and delivering oceanographic data to our customers using GIS and related technologies.