Pollution
The Difference between Dippers and Divers: Plastic Pollution in Deep-Diving Seabirds
Plastic pollution is commonly imagined to be an issue that affects the sea surface. However, many small pieces of plastic…
Author: Carrie McDonough
I am the founder of oceanbites, and a postdoctoral fellow in the Higgins Lab at Colorado School of Mines, where I study poly- and perfluorinated chemicals. I got my Ph.D. in the Lohmann Lab at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, where my research focused on how toxic chemicals like flame retardants end up in our lakes and oceans. Before graduate school, I earned a B.Sc. in chemistry from MIT and spent two years in environmental consulting. When I'm not doing chemistry in the lab, I'm doing chemistry at home (brewing beer).
Chemistry
Fireproofing the Arctic
Chemicals that are stable enough for our everyday use are often remarkably stable in the natural environment as well. This…
Chemistry
After the Phase Out: Can Banning Toxic Chemicals Rescue Pilot Whales?
When it comes to persistent pollutants, all roads lead to the ocean. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a chemical that has…
Science Communication
Apply for ComSciCon17 Now!
Applications are open for the Communicating Science 2017 (ComSciCon17) workshop, to be held in Cambridge, MA on June 8-10, 2017!…
Science Communication
Diversity within Marine Science: We Can Do Better (Guest Post by Danielle Perry)
The lack of diversity within STEM, particularly marine science, is an apparent issue within the scientific community. What is discouraging…
Policy
What Does the US Election Mean for Our Oceans?
The oceans are subject to the whims of national policy, and yet they know no borders. Being poor ocean stewards…
Pollution
A Junkyard in the Belly of a Whale
A candy wrapper, plastic bags, car parts, packing materials, and fishing gear… it sounds like a list of things you…
Chemistry
Beyond CO2: Chemical Consequences of Our Love Affair with Fossil Fuels
Our world relies heavily on the burning of biological materials such as wood or fossil fuels to harness energy. While…
Science Communication
Notes from the Undergrads 2016: Part II
This summer, undergraduate students from all over the United States have come to the University of Rhode Island Graduate School…
Science Communication
Notes from the Undergrads 2016: Part I
This summer, undergraduate students from all over the United States have come to the University of Rhode Island Graduate School…
Biology
Guest Post: Tiger Beach, Bahamas: A Safe Haven for Female Tiger Sharks
Over the past few decades, the plight of sharks has been overshadowed by greed for shark fin soup and fears…
Science Communication
Inside Oceanbites: Why Do Scientists Blog?
On this International Webloggers’ Day, we decided to turn our focus to the scientist-writers who make Oceanbites possible. Since I created…
Chemistry
What’s in the Hair of a Polar Bear?
The accumulation of toxic methylmercury is a serious threat to wildlife all over the world – especially top predators in…
Chemistry
Spawning Under the Influence: Drugs and Toxins Found in Salmon
You may think you’re familiar with the side effects of most common medications, but there are other, hidden side effects…
Alternative Energy
Tides and Waves: Sources of Endless Energy
Today's guest post by Amin Mivehchi is a brief introduction on harnessing tidal energy from the power plants of the…
Chemistry Climate Change
Lead Pollution in Antarctic Waters: Have We Cleaned Up Our Act?
Researchers traveled to the far reaches of Antarctica to determine whether lead levels there have declined since humans started cleaning…
Science Communication
Calling STEM Grad Students: Apply for ComSciCon 2016!
Applications are now open for the Communicating Science 2016 workshop, to be held in Cambridge, MA on June 9-11, 2016.…
Book Review Survey
February Theme Week Survey
Let us know what you’d like to read about in February by choosing one of the options below! Whichever topic…
Conservation Science Communication
Blue New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions are a great way to work towards being the person you want to be. This year, why…
Chemistry
Please Pass the Plastic
Tiny shards and fibers of plastic termed “microplastics” accumulate in seafood with unknown consequences for human health. Now, they’re turning…