Ocean Life News in Brief July 15-2017
European Space Agency Data Used to Calculate Size and Trajectory of New Massive Iceberg
Live Science reported on July 6 that the Larsen C Iceberg is expected to tower at least 600 feet above the ocean surface. Despite the mass of ice has not yet detached from continental ice sheet scientists using data provided by the European Space Agency ESA have calculated size and possible trajectory.
New UK Study Quantifies Environmental Impact of Average Washing Loads in Ocean
BBC reported on July 6 on a new study which focused on environmental impacts on ocean drive by source pollution of “laundry”. Researchers from the Plymouth University assured that the average washing load of the UK set at 6 kilograms can release 140 thousands of fibers from polyester-cotton blend, nearly half a million fibres from polyester and more than 700,000 fibres from acrylic.
Southampton University Deep-Sea Coral Study Takes Radical Approach to Fluorescence
Sciencealert reported on July 10 on new insights on fluorescence and its benefits for organic life cycles. The study of researchers from the University of Southampton focused on deep-sea corals fluoresce. Scientists assure that deep sea corals produce their “own light” not for protection to UV -as surface corals do, but to provide “light” to symbiotic algae.
SpaceX Dragon Capsule Historical Splashdown Pushes Recycled Space Tech Boundaries
Daily Mail reported on July 5 that the SpaceX Dragon Capsule made history by becoming the first recycled spacecraft to fly two missions. SpaceX Dragon Capsule splashed down off the coast of California as planned and was recovered from the Pacific Ocean.
“Ocean Water Circulation Eddies Producing Greenhouse Gases,” GEOMAR New Study Says
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel reported on July 7 that Eddies in the Atlantic are producing Greenhouse Gases. Eddies are smaller, temporary loops of swirling water that can travel long distances before dissipating. GEOMAR international research team discovered this previously unknown processes in the Atlantic by studying low-O2 Eddies.
“Carbon Storage Capacity Down by 1.5% in the Past 30 Years,” MIT Says
July 5 Press reported that MIT climate scientists studying rising temperatures and carbon storage discovered a decrease in carbon storage rates. “Scientists have found that the ocean's export efficiency, or the fraction of total plankton growth that is sinking to its depths, is decreasing, due mainly to rising global temperatures,” press reported. The new study was published in the journal Limnology and Oceanography Letters. The paper assures that in the past 30 years -as temperatures have risen Worldwide the amount of carbon that has been removed and stored in the deep ocean has decreased by 1.5 percent.
Most Year-Experienced Volvo Ocean Sailor Announces New Comeback and Participation
On June 28 the most experienced sailor of the Volvo Ocean Race announced a new comeback and participation in the Volvo Edition. Racing under Brunel sponsorship Bouwe Bekking will depart start line in this new edition of the most extreme regatta in the World. “No one has sailed as much miles in the Volvo Ocean Race as Bekking who made his first appearance as a crew member in the Philips Innovator in the 1985-86 Volvo Edition,” Volvo Ocean Race warned.
Ocean Conservancy Releases In Depth Concerning Arctic Vessel Traffic Environmental Impact Report
On June 28 Ocean Conservancy reported on a new report which reveals the environmental risks of Arctic Vessel Traffic. The reported titled: “Navigating the North: An Assessment of the Environmental Risks of Arctic Vessel Traffic” studied in detail the issue and concluded that there are risks in vessel traffic in the region. Ocean Conservancy issued recommendations to make the Arctic safer from the threats of oil spills, air emissions, invasive species, disturbance to marine mammals and discharges of sewage and graywater.
Two Records Broken in the 49th Transpac Race
International Sailing Press reported on July 11 two records were broken in the Transpac Race this year. “The 49th Transpac Race will be remembered as the year of the records as both the outright multihull and monohull times for the 2225 nm course from Los Angeles to Honolulu have been officially eclipsed,” Sail Press reported.
St. Thomas US Virgin Islands to Host WIMS Series Finale
On July 11 the Carlos Aguilar Match Race CAMR announced that it will host the Women’s International Match Racing Series WIM Series Finale in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands. The event will take place from November 30 to December 3.
Ocean Health Index Out in PLOS ONE
On July 5 PLOS ONE reported on the release of the Ocean Health Index. The study led by Benjamin Halpern from University of California Santa Barbara, USA and colleagues assures that while Global Ocean Health has remained relatively stable over the past five years, individual countries have seen changes.
