TURNER – Julia Crosby, a senior at Leavitt Area High School and a resident of Turner, completed a two-week residency in coastal marine ecology at the University of New England’s Marine Science Center in Biddeford July 13 to 25. Fifteen high school juniors and seniors from the New England area were selected to participate.

Crosby became familiar with the necessary laboratory, field and research skills required of a science major.

The campus, located along the Saco River estuary, provided easy access for the study of ocean waves and tides, coastal morphology, beach, coastal marsh and tide pool habitats.

Students collected and identified marine specimens, completed a plankton tow and identified microscopic species, observed a seal necropsy, conducted and recorded information from fish dissections and performed a biological surveys at the rocky intertidal zone.

Students studied ecological concerns related to fisheries, pollution and local endangered species. Each student worked with an instructor to develop an independent research project.

Crosby’s research and presentation focused on the breeding and feeding patterns of the Northern Greenland Right Whale, 300 of which are known in existence today. Their calving areas are found in the heavily traveled shipping lanes of the North Atlantic.