Dynamics of Sinking Microplastics

Expedition dates: August 2 - August 7, 2023 Plastic pollution is pervasive in our Ocean. The most prevalent component of plastic pollution isn’t large pieces of trash floating on the surface, but tiny bits of waste called “microplastics” that are found throughout the water column. Ranging from 5 mm in diameter (a pencil eraser) down … Continued

Scientists Use New Technology to Examine Health of Deep-Sea Corals, Find Suspected New Species

Multidisciplinary team of scientists utilizes new technology, SOLARIS, to determine health of Puerto Rican deep-sea corals Video and photos available here. CONTACT: Carlie Wiener (808) 628-8666 cwiener@schmidtocean.org SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Scientists aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) have returned from an expedition to study the impact of climate change on deep water … Continued

Engineering Ocean Sensors

Traducción al español disponible a continuación Consider our human sensors, the eyes. Take a look around you, the intensity, color and depth of the features they capture help us better understand the world and our place in it. Despite this perceived acuity, however, our eyes are quite limited in many ways in their ability to … Continued

The Importance of Reactive Oxygen Species

A Haiku Searching the deep-sea For pulses of ROS Fleeting signs of health Traducción al español disponible a continuación Why do we care about ROS? Aerobic organisms may produce ROS for a variety of beneficial functions, including cell growth, signaling, and pathogen defense. However, if the ability of an organism to regulate the production and … Continued

Port of Seattle Celebrate Deep Sea with Art and Science

Schmidt Ocean Institute was featured at the closing event with new footage of three new hydrothermal vent fields and deep-sea-inspired art. CONTACTS: Carlie Wiener • (808) 628-8666 • cwiener@schmidtocean.org Peter McGraw • (206) 787-3446 • mcgraw.p@portseattle.org Seattle, Washington – The Port of Seattle and Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) hosted an event this week announcing the … Continued

“Race Against Time” to Discover Ocean Life Prompts Launch of Global Initiative

A global alliance embarking on a race against time to discover and protect ocean life, before it’s too late. CONTACT: Carole Scott | carole@oceancensus.org | www.oceancensus.org The Ocean Census: The largest programme in history to discover life in our ocean has been unveiled with the ambitious target of finding at least 100,000 new marine species in the … Continued

Hydrothermal Vents of the Western Galápagos

Expedition dates: August 13 - September 10, 2023 In 1977, scientists at the Eastern Galápagos Spreading Center uncovered an ecosystem that changed our conception of life—hydrothermal vents. In the crushing darkness of the deep sea, life thrives on these vents as bacteria facilitate a whole food web by converting chemicals, rather than sunlight, into energy. … Continued

Assessing Deep Coral Health

Traducción al español disponible a continuación Written by Dr. Colleen Hansel Life relies on chemistry. For instance, chemical reactions allow animals (including humans) to extract energy from food, for plants to convert carbon dioxide to organic matter, and for fungi to degrade wood. Organisms also produce chemicals to increase the availability of nutrients, repair wounds, … Continued

ROV Dives – Health Diagnostics of Deep-Sea Coral

More about the research HERE. Dive 503 - Diving to Desecheo Ridge Date: April 18, 2023 Location: Desecheo Ridge, Atlantic Ocean off Puerto Rico Estimated Maximum Depth: 800 meters Work Completed: Explored the lower ridge benthic cover while transiting up the Desecheo Ridge. Focused on measurements and collections at ca. 150-200 m. Dive 504 - … Continued