Ocean Life News in Brief: May-15-2016
Stanford Humanoid ROV Makes History Wreck Diving La Lune for First Time
On April 30 the Guardian reported on the successful dives of the first automate humanoid ROV. A Team from the US Stanford University managed to dive the “OceanOne” to the depths of La Lune 100 meters under Mediterranean waters. La Lune was a flagship of King Louis XIV and no human has explored its ruins. It went down in 1664. OceanOne retrieved a vase showing off the abilities.
“Oceans Running Low on Oxygen,” Washington University Expert Says
Scientific American reported on May 2 that rising levels of CO2 are making it hard for fish to breathe as well as “exacerbating global warming and ocean acidification”. The Associate Professor of the University of Washington's School of Oceanography Curtis Deutsch studied increasing global temperatures and altered levels of oxygen in World's ocean and reached the conclusion that the Oceans are starting to run low on Oxygen. Mapping and models reveal a grim near future pattern.
Florida Keys Reefs Dissolving More Rapidly than Expected due to Acidification
Science Daily reported on May 2 that reefs in the Florida Keys are dissolving sooner than previously expected. Researchers of the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science explained that the limestone that forms the foundation of coral reefs along the Florida Reef Tract is dissolving during the fall and winter months on many reefs in the Florida Keys. Upper Florida Keys reefs were the most impacted by the annual loss of reef.
Trench Rich Ecology Expands with New Bright Jellyfish NOAA Specie
NOAA researchers aboard the Okeanos Explorer diving the Marianas Trench with ROV technology discovered a new bioluminescent jellyfish. NOAA released the findings into the press on May 2. Living 2.3 miles below water the specie is believed to belong to the genus Crossota. Specie adds to tendency which reverts the thinking that trench environments are not rich in life forms and reveal a rich ecology for trench areas.
Freediving New Record Set at 122 Meters in Bahamas
The Guardian reported on May 2 that the World Record for freediving has been broken by William Trubridge diving 122 meters. The freediver accomplished the new record at Vertical Blue 2016 -where the Elite Freediving Competition takes place every year at the Bahamas Blue Hole.
Nature Published Plankton Carbon Pump Study Rising from Tara Ocean Data
Nature released on April 28 a report which reveals how the plankton networks are driving carbon cycles in the ocean. The study focuses on ecosystem which drives the “carbon pump” -cycle of intake of carbon through photosynthesis and return of carbon to the depths of the ocean by sinking particles. Using Tara Oceans expedition data the study assures to have improve the carbon exports in the oligotrophic ocean understanding.
Massive Solar Ocean Panels on the Vanguard of Future Renewable Energy
Science Alert reported on April 29 on a new solar panel system which spans over 100 meters. The Heliofloat solar panels are designed to withstand swells and roll with the ocean dynamics. The technology was described by the media as the future of “ocean based renewable energy”. Team from Vienna University of Technology is working on some updates for the system.
“Foiling is Yesterday,” Flyboard Air Sets New Milestone
Sailing Scuttlebutt News reported on May 2 that Zapata Racing has set a new milestone for Flyboard Air. Franky Zapata took to the air hovering over the ocean and reached the longest distance registered. Navigation of the Flyboard Air was stable and speed not only consistent but aggressive.
World Surf League Warming up for Rio Pro
WSL announced that the warm up for Rio has began. Rio Pro and Rio Pro Women in Brazil is set to take over the beach on May 10 and extend to May 21. The event is part of the Brazilian Leg of the WSL Elite World Tour CT Championship.
Flying Phantoms Red Bull Foiling Generation Adds US to 2016 Tour
International Sailing Press reported that the Red Bull Foiling Generation 2016 Tour -with dates confirmed in Europe and New Zealand will include dates in Newport Rhode Island US. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the rising generation of sailors who aspire to be at the top level of the sport of multihull racing and incredibly exciting to watch,” Brad Read Executive Director of Sail Newport applauded the news. “We’re thrilled that Red Bull Foiling Generation organizers chose Newport as the only US event which will fuel the marine and tourism economy in Rhode Island,” Read added. The circuit is sailed out in the 18-foot Flying Phantoms which are just incredible when it comes down to the art of sailing...extreme.
FAO Director Calls for Action in Small Island SIDS
On April 6 the General Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, José Graziano da Silva called for stronger partnerships with Small Island Developing States SIDS. Graziano da Silva stressed the importance of actions to take on food and nutrition challenges which Small Islands face as well as other sectors which range from sustainable natural resource management, disaster risk management, resilience and climate change; fisheries, oceans and seas; and agricultural trade and investment.
“Polar Ice Retreat Caused by the Ocean?” OMG to Respond
On April 5 Earth Observatory released images and data to address a new question; “Is the Ocean Melting the Ice?” Ice retreat in the polar regions is usually linked to atmospheric influences but the report looks into ice retreat effects caused by the ocean. Focusing on the Greenland Ice Sheet the Observatory assures that with over 44 thousand jagged kilometers of coastline the Greenland Ice Sheet is not “just just melting from warm air temperatures above but also likely being melted from water below”. Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists led by Josh Willis have launched the Oceans Melting Greenland or OMG field campaign to answer the question and are already making breakthrough discoveries.
NASA Examines El Niño's Impact on Ocean’s Food Source
On April 4 NASA revealed initial conclusions of their study of the El Niño´s impact on the Ocean's food source. “El Niño years can have a big impact on the littlest plants in the ocean and NASA scientists are studying the relationship between the two,” the Agency assured. NASA added that El Niño can impact not only the weather and the surface of the ocean but the life which is found beneath the waters. “These impacts, which researchers can visualize with satellite data, can ripple up the food chain to fisheries and the livelihoods of fishermen,” NASA concluded. Upwellings of Chile and Peru regions were studied to conduct models. Nutrient upwellings which is altered by El Niño are the basic element of nourishment for microorganisms such as plankton and others which are the base of the food webs on which higher organisms and fisheries depend. A strong El Niño can lead to the complete collapse of the ecological system.
Outer Space ROV Exploration and Small Spacecrafts on Edge of Development
On April 8 NASA announced the 13 proposals which made it through Phase 1 of the Innovative Advanced Concepts NIAC. Several of the proposals are oriented towards the search or exploration of oceans in distant celestial bodies. “The latest NIAC selections include a number of concepts for planetary and robotic exploration,” Steve Jurczyk NASA’s associate administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate in Washington said. Additionally NASA is exploring Small Spacecraft and Small Satellite Technology in a new trend for Space Exploration.
Discovery of Amazon Reef Shocks Scientific Ocean Community
International Press reported on April 29 on the discovery of new massive coral reef in the Amazon delta. The system extends over 9 thousand square kilometers. “Scientists have discovered a huge, coral reef hidden in a place they didn't think coral reefs could live,” media reported.
MIT Astronomers Find Three New Planets that Could Host Life
MIT News Office reported on May 2 that three planets have been discovered for the first time orbiting an ultracool dwarf star just 40 light years from Earth. Astronomers from MIT and the University of Liège in Belgium detected the three planets and assured that “sizes and temperatures of these Worlds are comparable to those of Earth and Venus, and are the best targets found so far for the search for life outside the solar system. The results were published in Nature.
