Ocean Life News in Brief: April-15-2015

Ocean Deoxygenation Registered in Pacific Basin Sediments 

Researcher of the University of California US Sarah Moffit main authored a study published at Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences PNAS which addresses lack of oxygen in ocean and alteration of the life forms of the ocean floors. Moffit spoke about the deglaciation period as a “bank of excellent evidence”. Sediments found in the basin of Santa Barbara US in the Pacific Ocean registered abrupt variations in the content of fossil materials. 

Arctic Ocean Abiotic Methane Deposit Discovered

Europa Press reported on a new study published in the Magazine Geology which reveals new discovery of a deposit of abiotic methane trapped in the depths of the Arctic Ocean. The new source of methane gas hydrate is ice trapped. The deposit was qualified as “stable”. 

Island Mauricio Submarine Environment Creates Submerged Waterfall Illusion

Press released video footage of an environmental illusion which resembles underwater submarine waterfalls. The drastic underwater ocean floor fall of the basin of the island of Mauricio creates the illusion through ocean flow dynamics.

Levy Expedition Rows for Awareness of the Mesoamerican Reef in Alliance with TNC 

The expedition of Abraham Levy -5 months at sea and 106 days rowing which initiated on October 21st aims to awaken awareness on the importance of the conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef. Levy will donate part of the sponsored kilometers to The Nature Conservancy TNC. Levy referred to the Mesoamerican Reef as the largest reef system of the Western Globe and second largest reef system of the world after the Great Barrier of Australia. 

Ray Collins Photography Eyed by Prestigious Media 

The work of Ray Collins -surfer and professional photographer is being spotlighted by the press. Focusing on open ocean swells the work is described as “majestic”. Collins assures that his work reveals the “grace of the ocean”. Life Buzz, National Geographic, Patagonia and Apple are just some of the media names which have taken interest on the work of the photographer. 

Pacific Ocean Tsunami Alert Issues Warning For Indonesia, Australia and Philippines

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center declared a Tsunami Alert and set preventive measures for coasts of Indonesia, Australia and Philippines. Two earthquakes -7.7 and 5.7 Richter scale magnitude were registered off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Dangerous waves were reported. 

Javea Presents History of Spanish Sails in Pacific Ocean Book Sealed with Spain Brand 

The Public Library of Javea Spain presented on March 31st the historical navigation book “Sailors of Spain in the Pacific Ocean”. Authored by Engineer Luis Laorden Jiménez the book was relaunched in its second edition. The edition includes corrections, expansion and has received the Seal of Brand of Spain (Marca Española). Pages reveal information from Sailor Núñez de Balboa dating back to 1513 to XV Century Sailors to the ends of the War with the US in 1898. 

New Virus Found in Ocean Substrate Affects Dominant Archaea  

Researchers of the National Science Foundation released a new paper published by Nature Communications which details the discovery of a new virus dwelling beneath the ocean floor. The substrate discovery was made possible using submersible sediment sample collection systems. Marine deep subsurface methane seep was the environment where the virus was discovered. The virus is capable of affecting the well adapted and dominant species of archaea which rules the ocean niche. 

Oceans of Hope Sailing the Globe for Multiple Sclerosis

“The Sailing Sclerosis project, Oceans of Hope (OOH), will change the perception of multiple sclerosis by showing what is possible when people with a chronic disease are empowered to conquer their individual challenges, by engaging those whose lives are touched by MS and developing networks as a foundation for life changing behaviours,” the organization assures. Recent expeditions include the leg Tahiti-Samoa journey.

Wave and Tidal Projects Offered Free Component Testing by EMEC 

Ocean Energy Europe reported that The European Marine Energy Centre EMEC in collaboration with the Offshore Renewable Energy ORE Catapult is offering free component testing to support the development of wave and tidal energy converters.

Blue Crabs Break Migration Boundaries Break North of Cape Cod US Limits

The Blue Crabs migration is reported to break known boundaries moving north of Cape Cod Massachusetts US. The expansion event was first registered in 2012 and continues to be reported by wildlife managers and locals. Usually the migration is known for spanning from the Gulf of Mexico to Cape Cod Massachusetts US but now the migration is reported to have expanded. Causes of expansion have been linked to Ocean temperature variations. 

IMOCA Highlights Mediterranean Water for Sailing Mastery 

The final miles of the final leg of the IMOCA Ocean Masters was reported to be key in defining the final positions. IMOCA described the waters of the Mediterranean as “tricksy and, tortuous”. 

San Diego California University Exploring Ocean Tectonics from Space 

Researchers of the University of California San Diego are using data to explore ocean tectonics from space. The Satellite Geodesy research group at Ida M. Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University is applying diverse methods including gravity and laser to solve specific geophysical problems and explore ocean tectonics.

Volvo Ocean Race MAPFRE Supports Cies Islands Spain for World Heritage Inclusion 

Team MAPFRE sailing the Volvo Ocean Race announced support to the campaign of Cies Island Spain for its inclusion in the World Heritage List.