Horn Point Laboratory | University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

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About Horn Point Laboratory

The Horn Point Laboratory, located on more than 800 acres on the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland's Eastern Shore, has advanced society’s understanding of the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems. Horn Point scientists are widely respected for their interdisciplinary programs in oceanography, water quality, restoration of seagrasses, marshes and shellfish and for expertise in ecosystem modeling. With ongoing research programs spanning from the estuarine waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the open waters of the world's oceans, Horn Point is a national leader in applying environmental research and discovery to solve society’s most pressing environmental problems.

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Contact Information

Address:

2020 Horns Point Rd

Cambridge, MD 21613

United States

Phone Number:

(410) 228-8200

Coastal pollution is causing significant increase in dead zones in oceans around the world

A new study by University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Professor Emeritus Tom Malone and Professor Alice Newton of the University of Algarve spotlights the current global occurrence of "dead zones" within the coastal ocean, where eutrophication has caused significant oxygen depletion resulting in mass mortalities of marine animals.

Collaborative program by UMCES and ShoreRivers expands environmental education on the Eastern Shore

ShoreRivers partnered with University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s (UMCES) Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) to create a five-day professional development summer workshop for 14 teachers, ranging from third grade through high school, from across the Eastern Shore, the start of a yearlong experience aimed at growing environmental education.

The life of an oyster: Spawning

Things are never busier or filled with more expectation than the months approaching spring in an oyster hatchery. Such was the scene at the Horn Point Laboratory, which began removing broodstock (oysters) from the Choptank River in January in preparation for this past spring's spawn. Learn about how Horn Point's Oyster Hatchery begins their process of producing oysters

Pat Glibert elected president of international society of marine researchers

Pat Glibert has been elected by her scientific peers as the incoming President of Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO). “Being elected President of ASLO by its members is a well deserved affirmation of Pat's many contributions to this leading professional society of researchers who study both freshwater and marine waters around the world.” said Mike Roman, Director of University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory.

Faculty Profile: Matt Gray on Oyster Aquaculture

I'm really interested in the different services that shellfish provide. The most obvious service is as food. We grow them and eat them. Other uses include shoreline stabilization and as habitats for other commercial and ecologically important species. Then there's other services that people are probably more familiar with, such as water filtration and improvement to the clarity and quality of waterways.

Faculty Spotlight: An Interview with Jamie Pierson

I study a type of animal plankton. They’re called copepods, and they are plankton their entire life. These are tiny little animals that are about 1 to 3 millimeter long, usually. Copepods are probably the most numerous animal on earth. There's 15 or 16,000 named species right now, and we think there are probably more than that that we haven't discovered yet,

Research team receives $10M to transform shellfish farming with smart technology

UMCES researcher Matt Gray and a group of researchers and institutions throughout the U.S. received a $10M grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bring advanced technology to the domestic shellfish aquaculture industry.

UMCES researchers examine healthy urban waterfronts around the world

Healthy Harbors are important for both the communities that surround them and the animals that live in them. Urban waterfronts, including harbors and ports, are a defining feature of coastal cities and serve as gateways to the rest of the world. HPL's Judy O'Neil co-edited a special issue of Regional Studies of Marine Science by the World Harbours Project, which featured several papers by UMCES researchers on harbors around the globe, from Guanabara Bay adjacent to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) where urban development continues to degrade water quality and ecosystem health to Boston Harbor’s transformation from the “harbor of shame” to a vibrant coastal resource.

Professor Matt Gray on the filtration capabilities of oysters

Oysters are filter feeders that can help clean up the Chesapeake Bay, right? Many have seen the various web videos showing a dozen or so bivalves clearing a murky fish tank in just an hour. But are they such ecological superheroes that each one can siphon 50 gallons of water in a day? Is it true? Well, yes, but not so much in the real world, according to Matthew Gray, a scientist at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory.

Coastal pollution is causing significant increase in dead zones in oceans around the world

A new study by University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Professor Emeritus Tom Malone and Professor Alice Newton of the University of Algarve spotlights the current global occurrence of "dead zones" within the coastal ocean, where eutrophication has caused significant oxygen depletion resulting in mass mortalities of marine animals.

Collaborative program by UMCES and ShoreRivers expands environmental education on the Eastern Shore

ShoreRivers partnered with University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s (UMCES) Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) to create a five-day professional development summer workshop for 14 teachers, ranging from third grade through high school, from across the Eastern Shore, the start of a yearlong experience aimed at growing environmental education.

The life of an oyster: Spawning

Things are never busier or filled with more expectation than the months approaching spring in an oyster hatchery. Such was the scene at the Horn Point Laboratory, which began removing broodstock (oysters) from the Choptank River in January in preparation for this past spring's spawn. Learn about how Horn Point's Oyster Hatchery begins their process of producing oysters

Pat Glibert elected president of international society of marine researchers

Pat Glibert has been elected by her scientific peers as the incoming President of Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO). “Being elected President of ASLO by its members is a well deserved affirmation of Pat's many contributions to this leading professional society of researchers who study both freshwater and marine waters around the world.” said Mike Roman, Director of University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory.

Faculty Profile: Matt Gray on Oyster Aquaculture

I'm really interested in the different services that shellfish provide. The most obvious service is as food. We grow them and eat them. Other uses include shoreline stabilization and as habitats for other commercial and ecologically important species. Then there's other services that people are probably more familiar with, such as water filtration and improvement to the clarity and quality of waterways.

Faculty Spotlight: An Interview with Jamie Pierson

I study a type of animal plankton. They’re called copepods, and they are plankton their entire life. These are tiny little animals that are about 1 to 3 millimeter long, usually. Copepods are probably the most numerous animal on earth. There's 15 or 16,000 named species right now, and we think there are probably more than that that we haven't discovered yet,

Research team receives $10M to transform shellfish farming with smart technology

UMCES researcher Matt Gray and a group of researchers and institutions throughout the U.S. received a $10M grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bring advanced technology to the domestic shellfish aquaculture industry.

UMCES researchers examine healthy urban waterfronts around the world

Healthy Harbors are important for both the communities that surround them and the animals that live in them. Urban waterfronts, including harbors and ports, are a defining feature of coastal cities and serve as gateways to the rest of the world. HPL's Judy O'Neil co-edited a special issue of Regional Studies of Marine Science by the World Harbours Project, which featured several papers by UMCES researchers on harbors around the globe, from Guanabara Bay adjacent to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) where urban development continues to degrade water quality and ecosystem health to Boston Harbor’s transformation from the “harbor of shame” to a vibrant coastal resource.

Professor Matt Gray on the filtration capabilities of oysters

Oysters are filter feeders that can help clean up the Chesapeake Bay, right? Many have seen the various web videos showing a dozen or so bivalves clearing a murky fish tank in just an hour. But are they such ecological superheroes that each one can siphon 50 gallons of water in a day? Is it true? Well, yes, but not so much in the real world, according to Matthew Gray, a scientist at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory.

News

Explore the latest news from the Horn Point Laboratory, including research highlights and interviews with graduate students and faculty.

Events

From annual events to monthly seminars, visit the events calendar for what's happening.

About

From the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, scientists engage in world-renowned research in oceanography, water quality, restoration of sea grasses, marshes and shellfish, and expertise in ecosystem modeling.

Faculty

Meet the researchers focused on understanding the world’s coastal ecosystems, leaders in oceanography, water quality, and the restoration of sea grasses, marshes, and shellfish.

Outreach

Learn about campus and oyster hatchery tours, scientists are available as guest speakers, the Chesapeake Champion annual award, and oyster shell recycling.

Applying Science

Discover research programs that apply scientific knowledge directly to emerging environmental issues, including the Horn Point Oyster Hatchery.

Education

Learn about educational opportunities designed for scientific exploration and understanding of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Services & Tools

Explore tools and services available to scientists and researchers, including the Analytical Services Laboratory, Cell Analysis Center, and Raman microscope. Plus, gain access to our online library resources and learn about availability of the Widgeon Pavilion.