Oceanography

How does Dolomite form? The influence of marine bacteria on mineral formation
06/07/2012 - 08:37

The formation of the mineral dolomite is still puzzling scientists. Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" and GEOMAR | Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel together with colleagues from Switzerland and Spain have now shown that bacteria can facilitate the formation of dolomite. The study has been published online in the international journal "Geology".

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Sea temperatures less sensitive to carbon dioxide levels 13 million years ago
06/06/2012 - 15:53

In the modern global climate, higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere are associated with rising ocean temperatures. But the seas were not always so sensitive to this CO2 "forcing," according to a new report. Around 5 to 13 million years ago, oceans were warmer than they are today -- even though atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations were considerably lower.

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New lead to slove the mystery of hearing system in Baleen Whales
04/17/2012 - 10:23

Based on the study of seven minke whales, scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute infer that some baleen whales also have well-formed fat body connecting to the ears which helps in transmitting sound from ocean environment to their inner ears.

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Evolution at the Sea: Long-term experiments indicate phytoplankton can adapt to ocean acidification
04/09/2012 - 21:45

Scientists of the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR) conducted a one year CO2 selection experiment using the calcifying microalgae Emiliania huxleyi and uncovered an enormous potential for adaptation to rapidly changing environments in this important phytoplankton species. After 500 generations under controlled CO2 conditions adapted cultures grew and calcified significantly better compared non-adapted control cultures when tested under ocean acidification conditions. These findings show for the first time that evolutionary adaptation may help to mitigate harmful effects of ocean acidification.

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Hot Meets Cold at New Deep-Sea Ecosystem: "Hydrothermal Seep"
03/07/2012 - 12:31

Decades ago, marine scientists made a startling discovery in the deep sea. They found environments known as hydrothermal vents, where hot water surges from the seafloor and life thrives without sunlight. Then they found equally unique, sunless habitats in cold areas where methane rises from seeps on the ocean bottom. They've coined a new term to describe the ecosystem: a hydrothermal seep.

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Mother of pearl tells a tale of ocean temperature, depth
02/17/2012 - 10:50

Nacre -- or mother of pearl, scientists and artisans know, is one of nature's amazing utilitarian materials. Mother of pearl or nacre, such as this from a New Zealand Paua shell, is one of nature’s wonder materials. Made by a host of mollusks, the material has proven to be an accurate barometer of environmental conditions as signatures of both water temperature and water depth reside in the material, according to new research by UW-Madison professor of physics and chemistry Pupa Gilbert.
 

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