Dr M Browne (Mark), Research Fellow Telephone: (61) 2 9351 4680 email: mbrowne@eicc.bio.usyd.edu.au Click on these links to scroll down to the following categories RESEARCH INTERESTS CURRENT RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

1997-2000 (B.Sc Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, University of Plymouth; 2000 Research Intern, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Sylt, Germany); 2001-2004 Research Assistant, University of Plymouth; 2004-2007 Ph.D. University of Plymouth; 2007- Present Research Fellow, Centre for Research on Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, University of Sydney.

Humans have large impacts on many marine habitats through chemical contamination and habitat degradation. My research focuses on the mechanisms by which these anthropogenic processes modify natural changes in the structure and functions of marine assemblages. By investigating how the performance of individuals changes in response to chemical contamination and degradation of habitats, I have tested hypotheses about the mechanism(s) causing altered patterns in assemblages of organisms. Over recent years, I have been investigating how natural and anthropogenic processes influence the tenacity limpets (i.e. how well they stick onto a surface). These organisms are numerically abundant and have important effects on the abundance and distribution of other intertidal organisms. Limpets use suction and glue-like mucous secretions to attach to the substratum and to resist dislodgment from waves and predators. I have investigated the influence of natural (avian predators, shore-exposure, height and slope) and anthropogenic stressors (metals, pesticides and modification of habitats) on the tenacity of limpets using field and laboratory experiments. Through this research, I have made significant contributions to the methods used to measure the tenacity of limpets in the field.

During my Ph.D. at the University of Plymouth, I investigated the environmental and biological consequences of microscopic plastic debris in marine habitats. The consequences of large plastic items, like discarded bottles, packaging and fishing gear for wildlife are well documented. The impacts of particles less than a millimeter are, however, poorly understood. My research has addressed significant gaps in our knowledge regarding microplastic particles in marine habitats and also the possible toxicological effects on animals that ingest this material. Using laboratory trials, I have evaluated the chemical transfer of contaminants from microplastics to marine food chains and the biological consequences for marine invertebrates eating this material. Part of this work showed for the first time in any invertebrate or marine animal, that ingested microscopic fragments of plastic can transfer from the gut to the circulatory system and haemocytes, where they can persist for many days. The research also showed that as plastic breaks up into smaller particles, the potential for accumulation in the tissues of the mussel increases.

As a Research Assistant, I worked on a number of projects for the British Government and European Union developing assays to measure the health of organisms, testing the sensitivity of species to chemical contaminants and applying these measures in a range of marine and freshwater habitats, with different levels of contamination.

I am investigating some of the impacts of replacing natural habitats with seawalls. On natural rocky shores in NSW, limpets are abundant and, through grazing, affect the abundance and distribution of other organisms. In contrast, some species of limpets are sparse on harbour walls and their occurrence varies with the material used to construct the walls. I am currently examining whether these differences in the abundances are a result of the species of limpets on walls under-performing in terms of their tenacity or their foraging behaviour.

To 2008:

• 11 scientific papers
• 1 report

List of publications by Mark Browne

Bloxham, M. J., Jones, M. B., Galloway, T. S., Lowe, D. M., Browne, M. A., Depledge, M. H. (2004) Ecosystem management bio-indicators. Final Report, DEFRA CDEP 84/5/292.