Climate Change
The Indian Ocean Dipole: How Climate Change affects South East Asia and Beyond
Extreme weather patterns in South East Asia and West Africa devastate local communities. Scientists study historical climate of the region to investigate if modern climate change is intensifying these disasters. Shawn WangI am a PhD student studying climate physics and marine geology at MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. I am interested in using geochemical […]
Blue Mussels Face a Dual Dilemma When their Microscopic Gill Hairs Slow Down
The frequency at which tiny, hair-like structures on gills called cilia beat back and forth reveals how blue mussels respond to environmental pressures caused by climate change. Rishya NarayananRishya is a multimedia science communicator with an MS in Media Advocacy from Northeastern University, specializing in Environmental Science Communications and Policy. She spent a year in […]
Climate Change Is Causing A Stormy Future
A new study verifies a decades-old prediction that tropical cyclones are becoming more intense due to climate change, using a novel, satellite data-driven approach. Emily ChuaI am a Ph.D. candidate at Boston University where I am developing an underwater instrument to study the coastal ocean. I have a multi-disciplinary background in physics and oceanography (and […]
SURFO Special: Has COVID-19 Affected Plane Emissions?
Since March, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on how we live our day-to-day lives. But how has it changed our carbon emissions? SURFO student Bella Luikart spent this summer with the Palter Lab at GSO to find out. Nyla HusainI’m a PhD student at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. I […]
The Need for Speed: The velocities of tides in the Mid-Atlantic
Every 12 hours and 25 minutes, a rush of water move into the coast to create a high tide. How fast does this water move? Currently, global sea levels are rising and it is becoming significantly important to understand how these coastal tides move as millions of Americans live along the eastern seaboard. Two scientists […]
How cold did the ice age really get?
Scientists revisit the question of global temperatures during the last ice age. They tackle this with state of the art climate models and geochemistry to give a picture that’s more accurate than ever before. Shawn WangI am a PhD student studying climate physics and marine geology at MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. I am […]
So You Thought the Heatwave was Over?
Satellites that measure sea surface temperature have demonstrated that marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer, and more intense as a result of climate change. But how can ocean temperatures in the future be predicted? And where in the ocean are the heatwaves most likely to occur? Amanda SemlerI’m a PhD candidate in Earth System […]
Underwater musicians: estimating health of an estuary using sound
Ever hear a snapping underwater? Wonder who is making the sound? Researchers can use sound to take the pulse of an estuary. Samantha SettaI’m a PhD student in the Rynearson Lab at the University of Rhode Island (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO). My research interests are focused on human impacts on the oceanic ecosystem, […]
El Golfo de San Lorenzo es un histórico rompecabezas de oxígeno
Adalberto Ubinas Romero es un estudiante de último año en la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Humacao con especialización en biología marina costera. Interesado en la salud de la columna de agua, la patología vegetal y la taxonomía. Aspira a terminar su bachillerato y continuar estudios graduados con el objetivo de obtener un PhD. Diana […]
Around the world on a quest for diatoms
How do scientists explore the diversity of tiny cells in the vast ocean? Does diversity change in relation to environmental factors? This study used a series of models to explore diatom diversity around the world on one of the Tara Oceans expeditions. Read on to learn about the wonderful world of diatoms in the global […]
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen: An analysis of phytoplankton with changing ocean temperature
If you went to the beach and the water is cold, would you jump in? The same questions pertain to very small creatures called phytoplankton off the coast of Mexico. A group of scientists recently studied the behavior of phytoplankton as the ocean’s temperature due to large weather events like El Niño and found some […]
SURFO SPECIAL: The oxygen puzzle of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Each summer, the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) hosts undergraduate students from all over the country to participate in oceanographic research. These Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURFOs) have not only been working with GSO scientists, but they also have spent part of their time learning how to communicate this science to […]
How will climate change affect the Southern Ocean ecosystems?
Changes in the Southern Ocean can affect global climate, and understanding the Southern Ocean’s response to climate change helps us better predict future climate. A team of researchers have looked into this question to predict how human impact on Earth’s climate will affect the Southern Ocean and its ecosystem in the near future. Jiwoon ParkI […]
Skating on Thin Ice
Newly developed global climate models show us that Arctic Sea ice may be more unstable than we previously thought. The first ice-free summer in the Arctic may be just around the corner. Shawn WangI am a PhD student studying climate physics and marine geology at MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. I am interested in […]
House of Mucus
Scientists use new laser-scanning technology to study palaces of snot in the deep ocean. Emily ChuaI am a Ph.D. candidate at Boston University where I am developing an underwater instrument to study the coastal ocean. I have a multi-disciplinary background in physics and oceanography (and some engineering), and my academic interests lie in using novel […]
Rough, Rocky Shores Acting as Climate Refuges for Kelp Forests
On the coasts of British Columbia, habitat-forming kelp algae are on the decline. Sensitive to increasing temperatures, changing nutrient dynamics, and always at risk of being carved out of their coastal homes by storm activity, kelp seem to be on the losing side of global climate change more often than the winning. Considering the extensive […]
A Fishy Ally to Help Coral Reefs
What if we had something on the inside to help us fight climate change’s impacts on coral reefs? A helpful ally which could increase coral bleaching tolerance and boost post-bleaching recovery in the field and in real time? As it turns out, we do: damselfish. Rishya NarayananRishya is a multimedia science communicator with an MS […]
How do greenhouse gases move?: An updated study on nitrous oxide exchange from the ocean to the atmosphere
Our atmosphere is composed of different gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. These gases can absorb energy, sent from the sun, reflecting off of the Earth’s surface. While scientists can measure and estimate their amounts in the air, gases have the ability to move between the ocean and the atmosphere. This behavior, while interesting, […]
Renewed hope for reef-building corals to combat climate change.
If you have ever had a chance to snorkel in a reef, you would agree that it is an unforgettable experience. Its special mainly because of the colorful corals and the diverse life forms they support. But corals around the world are being hit hard from effects of warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification. Corals […]
Make Earth Blue Again
A team of the world’s leading marine scientists reports that we are capable of rebuilding many components of marine life by 2050—if we are up to the challenge. Emily ChuaI am a Ph.D. candidate at Boston University where I am developing an underwater instrument to study the coastal ocean. I have a multi-disciplinary background in […]
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