oceanbites

SURFO SPECIAL: Robotic Takeover in the 21st Century: Using Self-Driving Vehicles to Better Evaluate Our Water Quality

Each summer, the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) hosts undergraduate students from all over the country…

Coral

Eat Your Probiotics

A new study shows that an introduction of beneficial bacteria may help corals survive marine heatwaves.

Climate Change

Turn down the heat: Climate change and plasticizers affect marine mussels differently depending on sex

How does climate change and plastic chemical additives affect marine organisms?

Biogeochemistry

Human activities worsen warming, acidification, and oxygen loss in the Southern California Bight

Climate change is causing global warming, ocean acidification, and decreasing oxygen levels in the ocean. According to detailed models, these…

Undergraduate Research

Puerto Rico and the Blue Economy: Towards an Energy Independent Island

After Hurricane Maria, parts of Puerto Rico had no power for over a year. Can clean energy help?

Undergraduate Research

Bay Watch: Tracking Long-term Changes in Nutrients and Phytoplankton Composition in Narragansett Bay, RI

Phytoplankton composition can vary based on environmental changes. How can we study these important organisms over time?

Undergraduate Research

Studying tiny ocean organisms on a large scale: How do we make sure we have accurate, useful data?

Studying phytoplankton across the Northeast U.S. Shelf is much more accessible with continuous chlorophyll-a data, but the data may need…

Aquaculture

Experimental Kelp Farm Boosts Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

As interest in kelp farming grows, scientists show small- to medium-sized farms positively impact ecosystems.

Behavior

Jaw-some!: Whale Shark Movement Patterns Tied To Oil And Gas Infrastructures

Oil and gas platforms have gained attention as artificial habitats. What can they tell us about movement patterns of megafauna?

Biodiversity Biological oceanography Biology Human impacts Plastic Science Communication

Are Diseases in Ocean Ecosystems Increasing?

Citation: Ward JR, Lafferty KD (2004) The Elusive Baseline of Marine Disease: Are Diseases in Ocean Ecosystems Increasing? PLoS Biol…

Climate Change

Can seaweed save the planet?

Can a giant patch of seaweed in the Atlantic Ocean save the planet from the effects of climate change?

Climate Change

It’s getting hot in here: IPCC and the ocean

With unequivocal evidence that humans are warming the planet, what does the future hold for the ocean and for us?

Fisheries

Sheepshead, a lesson from the past

What happens when archeology and science intertwine to teach us a lesson from the past? Read on to find out…

Biochemistry Chemistry geochemistry

Finding a Needle in a Haystack: Discovering Sulfur Bacteria off the Coast of Namibia

Everyone has that one friend with an eccentric talent, right? What if I told you that the ocean is chock…

Ecology

We Finally Know Why Some Fish are Warm-Blooded

On average Tuna, Great White Sharks, and other warm-blooded fish swim faster than their cold-blooded counterparts

Behavior

Fish Outta Water

Did you know, some fish can live in both water and land habitats? These amphibious fish are smarter than they…

Plastic

Incidental Ingestion: Do fishes intentionally swallow microplastics?

Microplastics in our oceans are a growing problem, but how do fishes investigate and interact with these particles?

Chemistry

Metals from penguin poop can support life in the Southern Ocean

Penguins help the Southern Ocean ecosystems by pooping! Read about how metals from penguin poop keep the Southern Ocean healthy.

Aquaculture

Want to raise healthy fish? Try adding garlic.

A familiar, stinky vegetable may have an unexpected role in helping expand aquaculture.

Conservation

Going for gold: Earth’s marvelous record holders

In the spirit of the Olympics, join us for a celebration of the ocean’s most impressive inhabitants and a reflection…