Research Associate Professor, Aquatic & Fishery Sciences
Visiting Scientist, JISAO, NOAA Response & Recovery, Seattle, WA
herwig@uw.edu, 206-685-2163

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aquatic microbiology, microbial ecology and diversity, bioremediation

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Research

Genome of Cycloclasticus pugetii

Cycloclasticus pugetii is a marine bacterium that is widely distributed in marine waters and sediments around the world. This species was discovered by University of Washington microbiologists in the 1990s and found to be a specialist in the biodegradation of environmental pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In 2009, we will collaborate with the Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and describe the genome of C. pugetii.

Ballast Water and Control of Introduction of Nonindigenous Aquatic Species

Ballast Water Treatment Technology

Enormous quantities of ballast water are transported from one region of the world to another. This transport has been suggested to be a major vector for the introduction of nonindigenous species. Some species, such as the zebra mussel have caused huge economic problems. The University of Washington is participating in several different projects to examine potential ballast water treatment technologies. We are examining the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite in shipboard tests that will be conducted in the Gulf of Mexico.

Puget Sound Ballast Water Survey

Commercial ships that enter Puget carry ballast water filled with many organisms, from viruses and bacteria to phytoplankton and zooplankton. Scientists and students from our laboratory are working with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in analyzing the zooplankton composition of ballast water entering Washington.

Microbiology of Larval Fish

This is a relatively new research topic in the Herwig Lab. A Ph.D. graduate student is planning to examine the microbiology of larval sablefish or rockfish. Little is known about the microbiology of fish larvae in general, and nothing has been published about the microbiology of sablefish or rockfish.

Microbiology of Rockfish

The aquaculture of rockfish (Sebastes spp.) is of interest because of conservation and fisheries reasons. Using both cultural and modern molecular methods, we are collaborating with NOAA Fisheries Northwest Fisheries Science Center in describing the microbiology of the gastrointestinal tract of rockfish larvae. Like many marine fish species, these fish have very high mortality during their early life stages.