This physical oceanography group works closely with biologists, chemists, atmospheric scientists, coastal engineers, landscape modelers, and other environmental scientists to attack questions that reach across disciplines. Some examples of cross disciplinary teams brought together to understand the earth system:

The interdisciplinary study BITMAX (Bio-physical Interactions in the Turbidity Maximum) is underway to investigate fundamental physical and biological processes in the Estuarine Turbidity Maximum (ETM) of Chesapeake Bay. It is hypothesized that the ETM entraps sediment
particles and planktonic organisms which in turn support enhanced zooplankton production and growth and survival of young anadromous fish.
( UMCES PIs: Ed Houde, Mike Roman, Larry Sanford, Shenn-Yu Chao, Elizabeth North and Raleigh Hood)

PIRANA (Potential Influences of Riverine and Aeolean Inputs to theTropical Atlantic) brings together biologists, atmospheric and oceanic chemists, and physical oceanographers to understand how the interacting components of riverine and atmospheric dust inputs to the western tropical Atlantic Ocean create a system of unparalleled high productivity.
(UMCES PIs: Victoria Coles, Raleigh Hood, and Ron Siefert)