A program of the Lawrence Hall of Science that seeks to increase ocean literacy through informal and formal education initiatives
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Live from MBARI
MBARI discovers new deep-sea hydrothermal vents using sonar-mapping robot“As the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) descended into the blue depths above the Alarcón Rise, the control room was abuzz with anticipation," wrote MBARI geologist Julie Martin in her April 22nd cruise log. "Today we [are] planning to dive on one of the strangest environments in the deep sea: a hydrothermal vent field.” Adding to the team’s excitement was the fact that this hydrothermal vent field had never been explored before. In fact, it had only just been discovered... by a robot.
Harnessing the awesome power of the ocean wavesMBARI engineer Andy Hamilton looks out his office window in Moss Landing and points at the waves crashing on the beach below. “Pretty impressive, aren’t they? You’d think there’d be a way to make use of all that energy.” Since 2009, Hamilton has led a team of engineers trying to do just that. Their goal is not to replace the hulking power plant that overlooks Moss Landing Harbor, but to provide a more generous supply of electricity for oceanographic instruments in Monterey Bay.
Environmental sample processors used to monitor water quality in New Zealand and the Gulf of MaineWith its ability to detect ocean events ranging from sewage spills to harmful algal blooms, MBARI's Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) has immense potential for monitoring ocean water quality. Until recently, however, only a limited number of these instruments have been available. With the recent commercialization of this device, ESPs are now being tested for day-to-day ocean monitoring at several sites around the world. During May 2012, two new ESPs were installed in Tasman Bay, New Zealand, and in the Gulf of Maine.
Breathing underwater: MBARI device measures the respiration of deep-sea animalsMountain climbers know that changes in temperature and pressure can affect their energy level and their ability to breathe. Animals that live in the deep sea face similar challenges when scientists bring them to the surface for study. To address this problem, MBARI researchers have developed a new instrument that allows them to study the breathing of deep-sea animals without removing the animals from their environment.
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