Oceanography

Arctic Ice May Set Record 30-Year Low Levels Again This Year

Observations of ice coverage in the Arctic from space began 30 years ago so it's inflammatory to talk about record lows in such a short period of time but two consecutive years near this 'record' still merit some concern. Because the extent ...

Article - News Staff - Aug 28 2008 - 12:41pm

Coral Reefs: Most Vulnerable To The Effects Of Climate Change

The rise in atmospheric CO2 levels has been a talked-about subject for quite some time, but while scientists and politicians are coming to what they call a “solution,” the impact on marine environments is being ignored. Proposed emission cuts are aiming to ...

Article - Ashley Cox - Sep 23 2008 - 5:25pm

An Unexpected Side Effect To Ocean Acidity- Whales Will Call 70 Percent Farther

As more and more greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere and the oceans warm, their chemistry also changes — seawater becomes more acidic as carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves. According to a paper to be published this week by marine ch ...

Article - News Staff - Sep 29 2008 - 2:58pm

Receding Arctic Ice Not The Only Problem- It's Also Thinning

Last winter, the thickness of sea ice in large parts of the Arctic fell by nearly half a metre (19 per cent) compared with the average thickness of the previous five winters. This followed the dramatic 2007 summer low when Arctic ice extent dropped to its ...

Article - News Staff - Oct 27 2008 - 7:30pm

Arctic Mystery- Ice Thinning But Not Because Of Warming

The thickness of sea ice in large parts of the Arctic declined by as much as 19% last winter compared to the previous five winters, according to data from ESA's Envisat satellite. Using Envisat radar altimeter data, scientists from the Centre for Pola ...

Article - News Staff - Oct 28 2008 - 11:04pm

GRACE Measures Water From Space

Observations from satellites now allow scientists to monitor changes to water levels in the sea, in rivers and lakes, in ice sheets and even under the ground. As the climate changes, this information will be crucial for monitoring its effects and predictin ...

Article - News Staff - Nov 13 2008 - 1:14pm

Ocean's Acidity Rising Much Quicker Than Expected

pH is a very sensitive thing, and anyone who's ever had a fish tank knows this delicate cycle of acids and bases. When water becomes either too acidic or basic, marine organisms cannot handle the change, but if pH levels change loosely over a span of ...

Article - Ashley Cox - Jan 17 2009 - 2:33am

An Elemental Look At Evolution In Ancient Oceans

In the search for life beyond Earth, scientists 'follow the water' to find places that might be hospitable. However, every home gardener knows that plants need more than water, or even sunshine. They also need fertilizer – a mixture of chemical e ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 8 2008 - 10:31am

"Rough Sex at 40,000 Leagues Under the Sea"- Scientific American eye-opener

What images do the words 'traumatic fertilization' conjur? If you are picturing deep-sea squid, you are either a fellow subscriber to Scientific American's daily digest or in dire need of pscyhological help. This little nugget of 'size ...

Blog Post - Becky Jungbauer - Dec 29 2008 - 3:54pm

Arctic Amplification- Maybe It Just Heats Up Easier Than Other Places

With record low temperatures, winter blizzards and warming that isn't really global, people aren't taking climate change very seriously these days, but that doesn't mean pollution gets a free pass if we want to continue to enjoy nature as we ...

Article - News Staff - Jan 16 2009 - 6:45pm