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Author: Nicole Couto

I’m interested in how physical processes occurring in different parts of the ocean affect local ecosystems and climate. For my PhD research at Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ), I am studying the circulation and pathways of heat transport in the waters of the West Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf, one of the fastest warming regions of the planet. When I'm not thinking about the ocean, I do a lot of swim-bike-running and compete very uncompetitively on the Rutgers Triathlon team.
Biology Book Review Physiology

The whirling world of starfish larvae whorls

A close look at starfish larvae reveals the beautiful patterns they create while moving through the water. These tiny vortex…
January 12, 2017January 13, 2017 Nicole Couto
Biological oceanography Fisheries Harmful Algal Bloom Human Health Physical oceanography

A toxic toasty blob: warm water in the Pacific provides a happy home for poisonous algae

A warm blob at the ocean surface, fishery closures, and unhappy marine mammals – what do all these things have…
December 8, 2016December 8, 2016 Nicole Couto
Climate Change Glaciers Physical oceanography technology

Melting ice shelves could be slowing down ocean circulation: Elephant seals lend a flipper to find out

Wanted: Antarctic researchers to study the formation of deep water in the coastal Antarctic seas. Job requirements: Plenty of blubber…
November 10, 2016 Nicole Couto
Book Review

The Antarctic Peninsula is cooling… for now

Temperature records from the Antarctic Peninsula show that the region has been cooling since the end of the 20th century.…
October 17, 2016October 17, 2016 Nicole Couto
Book Review

What to feed a fish

Stocks of small ocean-caught fish that are used to make fish feed for aquaculture are at risk of overexploitation. New…
September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 Nicole Couto
Book Review Climate Change Glaciers Sea-level Rise

Watermelon snow – Colorful algae speed up the melting of glaciers

Red snow algae can form massive blooms on ice sheets every summer as the snow starts to melt. But their…
August 4, 2016August 3, 2016 Nicole Couto
Book Review

Antarctic krill, stuck with rocks in a hard place

Krill have been washing up on the coast of an Antarctic island with pebbles stuck in their digestive tracts. As…
July 26, 2016July 26, 2016 Nicole Couto
Conservation Coral Ecology Fisheries

How badly do coral reefs and sharks need each other?

Overfishing threatens the populations of reef sharks that act as the top of the food chain on coral reefs. Their…
June 30, 2016June 29, 2016 Nicole Couto
Atmospheric Science Book Review Climate Change Glaciers Physical oceanography Sea Ice

Not all freshwater is created equal

Glacial runoff, precipitation, and sea ice melt all contribute to the freshwater content of the upper ocean along the west…
May 18, 2016May 18, 2016 Nicole Couto
Behavior Ecology Physical oceanography technology

Little penguins have little tolerance for high temperatures

New technology lets researchers track the 3D motion of penguins in the ocean to learn exactly where they catch their…
April 24, 2016April 28, 2016 Nicole Couto
Atmospheric Science Coastal Management Cyclones Hazards Human impacts Modeling ocean engineering Physical oceanography

Storm Troopers! Robots collect ocean data during hurricanes

Hurricane prediction models are constantly improving as we create more innovative ways to study the growth and development of storms.…
March 23, 2016March 25, 2016 Nicole Couto
Book Review

Seabird poop and coral reefs

Scientists have known for a long time that nutrient-rich guano can significantly change the ecology of areas where seabirds nest…
February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 Nicole Couto
Climate Change Physical oceanography Remote Sensing

Miles-deep currents seen from miles high

The system of currents that moves water and heat around the globe and regulates global climate may be slowing down.…
January 13, 2016January 8, 2016 Nicole Couto
Book Review

Some like it hot, and that might help

For fish in the 21st century, the riskiest places to live might not be the ones that are warming the…
December 7, 2015December 6, 2015 Nicole Couto
Atmospheric Science Human impacts Physical oceanography

Get ready for some “extremely” wet and warm days! (Maybe)

Recently, a lot of research has been focused on predicting average winter temperature and rainfall in the U.S. during El…
November 7, 2015November 10, 2015 Nicole Couto
Paleoceanography

Tiny shells tell the history of Antarctic ice

Over the past 10,000 years, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has gone through long periods of growth and long periods…
October 9, 2015October 9, 2015 Nicole Couto

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