Publications

The Changing Coast

Shifting Shorelines: A Pictorial Atlas of North Carolina Inlets provides an in-depth guide to the changing morphology of North Carolina’s 22 inlets. Each inlet is illustrated with six photographs that show how the waterway changed over time. Accompanying text explains how the forces of nature and human ingenuity combined to shape the inlets. UNC-SG-99-04; illustrated; 50 pages; $15. Printable Order Form
Questions and Answers on Purchasing Coastal Real Estate in North Carolina offers answers to often-asked questions about the risks and hazards of buying coastal property and homes. Updated in 2001. UNC-SG-96-10; brochure; free. Order
Zebra Mussel Colonization: North Carolina's Risks provides a map that displays the results of a study that assessed 338 sites along North Carolina waters for zebra mussel colonization potential. UNC-SG-97-01; map; free. Order
Zebra Mussels: A Costly Threat to North Carolina describes the exotic zebra mussel and suggests how boaters and fishers can avoid spreading this pest in North Carolina waterways. UNC-SG-92-11; 4 pages; illustrated; free. Order
Zebra Mussels: Stop the Invasion presents a color photograph of a zebra mussel and offers steps boaters can take to prevent the spread of this exotic aquatic threat. UNC-SG-95-04; poster; free. Order
Mid-Atlantic Zebra Mussel Fact Sheet examines the possibility for a zebra mussel colonization of the mid-Atlantic region, which includes North Carolina; discusses the possible routes of entry the mollusk might take and examines the characteristics of the mid-Atlantic environment that would make it hospitable for the prolific mussel. UNC-SG-FS-93-01; 6 pages; 10 or fewer, free; 35 cents each for more than 10. Order
Shoreline Erosion Control Using Marsh Vegetation and Low-Cost Structures describes how to cultivate or transplant marsh vegetation for estuarine erosion control and how to fertilize and maintain it. Illustrates placement and construction of an offshore breakwater, which when combined with a planted marsh can provide long-lasting protection at a relatively low cost. UNC-SG-92-12; 20 pages; illustrated; $2.50. Printable Order Form
Building and Stabilizing Coastal Dunes with Vegetation details how beach vegetation can shore up eroding dunes. Describes various types of grasses and shrubs and explains how to grow them. UNC-SG-82-05; 20 pages; illustrated; $1.50. Printable Order Form
Dioxin: Sources, Health Risks and Alternatives explains what dioxin is, the health risks and ways to assure safety when eating fish that may be contaminated. UNC-SG-FS-91-01; 4 pages; free. Order
Salt Marsh Restoration: Coastal Habitat Enhancement explores the importance of salt marsh habitat and illustrates methods for restoring salt marsh lost to development, dredging and filling UNC-SG-98-08; 32 pages; illustrated; free. Order
A Guide to Ocean Dune Plants Common to North Carolina describes and illustrates the herbs, vines, grasses, shrubs and trees found on and near the North Carolina dunes. UNC-SG-87-01; 80 pages; $4.50. Printable Order Form
Wetland Plants from Test Tubes explains micropropagation of plants for wetlands and aquatic habitats. This booklet also discusses regulations and industry needs as well as the various aquatic grasses and how to grow them. UNC-SG-95-08; 36 pages; illustrated; $4. Printable Order Form
Using Grass Carp to Control Aquatic Weed Vegetation outlines the use of carp to reduce pond vegetation such as hydrilla, widgeongrass, coontail and duckweed. It offers tips for stocking sizes and rates and regulations. UNC-SG-BP-86-1; 4 pages; free. Order
Coastal Water Quality Handbook answers common questions about water quality, pollution, coastal drinking water and clean water laws. UNC-SG-97-04; 72 pages; illustrated; $6. Printable Order Form
From Land to Water discusses riparian right of access to navigable waters. UNC-SG-BP-92-1; 4 pages; free. Order
A Homeowner’s Guide to Estuarine Bulkheads describes the benefits, limitations and design considerations for using bulkheads for erosion control. UNC-SG-81-11; 16 pages; illustrated; $1. Printable Order Form
Understanding Septic Systems explains how septic tanks work and describes some alternative systems. UNC-SG-BP-83-1; 2 pages; free.
Design and Installation of Low-Pressure Pipe Waste Treatment Systems tells how to design, install and maintain a residential low-pressure pipe system. These modified septic systems were created for use in soils unsuitable for conventional sewage disposal. UNC-SG-82-03; 32 pages; illustrated; $2.50. Printable Order Form
Design and Installation of Mound Systems for Waste Treatment explains how to design, install and maintain a mound soil-absorption system suitable for homes and small businesses. UNC-SG-82-04; 32 pages; illustrated; $2.50. Printable Order Form
Pressure-Dosed Septic Systems: Electrical Components and Maintenance discusses how to select, use and maintain the controls and accessories needed for pressure-dosed septic systems. UNC-SG-85-06; 26 pages; illustrated; $3. Printable Order Form
Hurricane Safety Checklist provides a step-by-step preparation list for a hurricane emergency. UNC-SG-BP-82-3; 2 pages; free. Wooden Wind Anchors for Hurricane-Resistant Construction Near the Ocean describes wooden wind anchors and explains how to install them. UNC-SG-BP-84-3; 2 pages; free. Order
Patching Oceanfront Sandbags explains how to use sandbags to control erosion, patch sandbags and prevent punctures. UNC-SG-BP-96-02; 2 pages; free. Order
Saving Money on Flood Insurance for Coastal Property Owners discusses the differences between homeowners insurance and flood insurance and explains flood zones, deductibles and other considerations. UNC-SG-89-05; 12 pages; $1. Printable Order Form
Research on Toxic Algae examines Pfiesteria piscicida research in North Carolina. Four reports look at how the organism affects crabbers in fish-kill areas, the learning ability of laboratory rats and the quality of seafood taken from kill waters as well as how the nontoxic life stage is affected by nutrients that seep and spill into waterways. UNC-SG-98-02; 200 pages; free. Order
North Carolina Marine Education Manuals can assist educators, particularly middle-grade science and social studies teachers, in presenting the coast as a subject of study. Each manual has a similar format. Activities and laboratory exercises provide students with hands-on experience. Additional resources, films and references are listed. Unit One, Coastal Geology; UNC-SG-78-14-A; 108 pages; illustrated; $3.50. Unit Two, Seawater; UNC-SG-78-14-B; 76 pages; illustrated; $3.50. Unit Three, Coastal Ecology; UNC-SG-78-14-C; 100 pages; illustrated; $3.50. Unit Four, Coastal Beginnings; UNC-SG-78-14-E; 175 pages; illustrated; $3.50. Printable Order Form
Coastwatch: North Carolina’s First Inhabitants includes information about the earliest history of North Carolina’s first coastal inhabitants, about archaeologists unearthing clues to Native American history, about key excavation sites of prehistoric settlements and about one group of Indians’ present-day struggle to reclaim its past. UNC-SG-92-13; illustrated; $2.50. Printable Order Form
Coastal Capers: A Marine Education Primer provides activities that primary grade teachers can use to introduce and explain the marine environment. The activities sharpen students’ skills in science, math, language arts, social studies and art. UNC-SG-84-05; 80 pages; illustrated; $3.50. Printable Order Form
Marine Education: A Bibliography of Educational Materials Available from the Nation's Sea Grant College Programs, 5th edition, lists education publications produced by 29 Sea Grant programs and research institutions. Includes books, brochures, education guides, videos, magazines and more. UNC-SG-98-04; 68 pages; $2. Printable Order Form
Hurricane Fran Videos and Educational Packet contains two 26-minute videos produced by UNC-TV — Hurricane Fran: The Science Behind the Storm and Hurricane Fran: Lessons Learned — a hurricane tracking guide, a reprint of the Coastwatch article "After the Storm: How Hurricanes Reshape Beaches and Building Standards" and a curriculum guide that offers activities, resources and more. $20. Printable Order Form
Nature Out of Balance Videos and Educational Guide contains two video segments produced by UNC-TV for the “IQ” series. The documentary covers the types of harmful algal blooms, including Pfiesteria, and their effects on coastal and estuarine waters and on human health. An educational guide outlines major concepts and offers additional resources. UNC-SG-99-07; $10. Printable Order Form
Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants Field Guide targets natural resource field personnel and home water gardeners. The waterproof pages identify 21 species of greatest national or regional concern, with color photographs, line drawings and descriptions of growing conditions. UNC-SG-01-15; 42 pages in three-ring binder; $15.
The Soundfront Series features four guidebooks focused on sustainable growth along estuarine shorelines in North Carolina. The soft-cover series targets property owners and community planners and managers with detailed photos, text and graphs. Complete set, $20. Or, may be ordered individually:
- Shoreline Erosion in North Carolina Estuaries, by Stanley R. Riggs. UNC-SG-01-11; 68 pages; $7.
- Managing Erosion on Estuarine Shorelines, by Spencer Rogers and Tracy Skrabal. UNC-SG-01-12; 32 pages; $4.
- Protecting Estuarine Water Quality Through Design, by Nancy White. UNC-SG-01-13; 52 pages; $7.
- Protecting the Estuarine Region Through Policy and Management, by Walter Clark. UNC-SG-01-14; 36 pages; $4.
Evaluating Potential Hurricane and Erosion Damage to Buildings in Coastal North Carolina explains the damage assessment process from significant hurricanes. UNC-SG-01-04; 8 pages; free.
Marine Phytoplankton Identification Series assists laboratory identification of harmful algal blooms. Cards provide miccroscopic color photos of common HABs, easy to read descriptions, line drawings, distribution maps, scientific references. Three-hole punch for standard binder. Set of first three cards: $10 (glossy) or $15 (laminated):
- Fibrocapsa japonica Toriumi et Takano, UNC-SG-02-04
- Chattonella subsalsa Biecheler, UNC-SG-02-05
- Hermesinum adriaticum Zacharias, UNC-SG-02-06

The following additional construction publications are available only from the Wilmington Sea Grant office (see end of list for information on ordering).