Shellfish Threatened by Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification is killing young oysters, clams, and mussels in U.S. coastal regions that depend on these shellfish. Find out why.
Read MoreTag: marine biology
Humans Have Varied Biological Impact on Animals
Why is the biological impact of human activities greater for some marine life populations than others? Scientists investigate.
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Diving into Citizen Science with Ocean Sanctuaries
by Michael Bear Since 2000, I’ve been an avid scuba diver in Southern California. When the Yukon, a 366 ft. long Canadian warship, sunk off the coast of San Diego in July of 2000, it became an artificial reef for divers to explore, piquing my interest in and igniting a lifelong passion for diving. In late 2006, my dive buddy, Barbara Lloyd, and I found ourselves at a crossroads. Both of us had earned various diving certifications, up to and including Rescue Diver and Master Diver. We had logged over…
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Book Review: World Without Fish
By Patricia Balbon Day-to-day encounters of fish—at the grocery store, visiting an aquarium—passively reinforce a notion of triviality about aquatic life until we are prompted to take a pause and spare a thought for a breathtaking world beyond the shore. This month’s selection in our ongoing book review series, World Without Fish, prompts such reflection; however, as the pages turn, we witness the marine world’s vulnerability alongside its majesty. Through Mark Kurlansky’s words and Frank Stockton’s art, we are challenged by the crisis of disappearing biodiversity in our oceans. This…
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Will You Still Eat Raw Fish After Watching This Video?
Sushi, sashimi, and poke are delicious. Why? It’s because they’re all made of raw fish! But, have you ever noticed that warning about raw or undercooked seafood at the bottom of restaurant menus? Have you ever wondered why it’s there? It’s there because fish carry a ton of parasites. And if the fish aren’t prepared correctly, then those parasites can make it into your body. This fishy intersection with the wild world of parasites can teach us a lot about how these moochers help keep ecosystems healthy, and why we…
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Desert Dust Increases Harmful Marine Bacteria
By Emily Rhode, @riseandsci A new study out of the University of Georgia could help predict blooms of a common but deadly type of marine bacteria and change the way we view some the planet’s most important environmental processes. The genus Vibrio includes the bacteria that cause cholera. It can also cause gastroenteritis from shellfish consumption and wound infections from seawater in humans, as well as diseases in marine organisms. Dubbed “opportunitrophs,” the bacteria are known for their ability to reproduce and adapt to changes quickly. “Part of what makes these…
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Eight Incredible Deep Sea Creatures
Dr. Joe delivers another terrific It’s OK To Be Smart video, and we are excited to share it with you. Meet eight of the freakiest deep sea creatures. By Joe Hanson We know more about some other planets than we do about the deepest corners of Earth’s oceans, and the species we’ve found there are almost alien. Here’s some of the most unbelievable deep sea creatures ever observed! Special thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) for help with this video! Twitter/Periscope: @jtotheizzoe @okaytobesmartSnapchat: YoDrJoeInstagram: @jtotheizzoeFacebook: facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Whale illustrations…
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What Does a Marine Biologist Do?
Our friends over at Techsploration in Canada inspire people to make the world a better place with science. That’s why they’ve produced this short video about marine biologist Maxine Westhead. In it, she explains how and why she became a marine biologist, and what she loves most about her work. Are you passionate about protecting marine life, but unsure of how to make that passion into a career? See how Maxine’s work as a marine biologist is making a difference to protect our precious oceans and the creatures that live in them,…
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Copying Coral to Contain Heavy Metal Pollution
These scientists are building artificial coral that can absorb heavy metal pollution. Find out how it could work to protect the environment.
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Hey Cichlid, Check Out My Sandcastle
By Tom Evans (@AquaEvans) Here is a healthy reminder that all those other fish in the sea aren’t so bad. I’d like to justify my belief that Lake Malawi cichlids are considerably more charming than most human companions. Before we go on, I am not encouraging you to leave your wife/husband and run to the nearest lake. Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, is an African Great Lake. It is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Cichlid Love Cichlids are charismatic lovers, and…
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