New Breeding Ground for Endangered Whales? High Numbers of Right Whales Seen in Gulf of Maine

2008 Article Set

Brian: 2, 4, 11

44 endangered right whales in Gulf of Maine
Aerial surveys allow researchers to know where all the whales are at a given time in order to protect them
Federal restrictions on ship speeds have been enacted to protect North Atlantic right whales from ship strikes

Longstanding Theory of Origin of Species In Oceans Challenged

Allopatric speciation (separation by physical barrier) is usually the dominant mode of evolution
In the oceans plankton may evolve primarily due to climate fluctuations in different areas rather than physical barriers such as currents

New Park Protects Penguins and Other Marine Life in Argentina

Protects coastal area and islands inhabited by penguins, rare seabirds, and fur seals
Needed protection from commercial fishing and oil industry

Ocean Fish Farming Harms Wild Fish, Study Says <

Farmed fish get infected with sea lice and this infection spreads to wild fish
The infected wild fish populations decreased near the fish farms
Medication doesn’t seem to help much

Gautam: 6, 14

Sea Rise Over Continental Shelves Significantly Affected Past Global Carbon Cycle

There have been fluctuations in the global carbon cycle before and this is due to rise and fall of sea levels. There is something called the “continental shelf pump” in which dissolved and particulate carbon are thought to be transported from shelf areas into sinks in the deep ocean. So, this pump has greatly influenced the sea levels and the carbon cycle.

Stronger Coastal Winds Due To Climate Change May Have Far-reaching Effects

There has been recent evidence that there have been stronger coastal winds in the west coast. This has caused a thermal gradient in which land temperatures are higher than sea temperatures. The coastal winds have increased by 2 m/s which is pretty large in comparison to the normal 5 m/s. The winds have caused more upwelling in the region but many scientists are worried that too much upwelling might create a dead zone at the bottom of the ocean.

Christine: 5, 12, 13

Paleozoic 'Sediment Curve' Provides New Tool For Tracking Sea-floor Sediment Movements

A new sediment curve derived from sediments of the Paleozoic Era may help oil companies find new energy by allowing them to predict how sediment will migrate along continental margins and interior seaways.

Coral reef growth is slowest ever

Deposition of calcium carbonate along the Great Barrier Reef has decreased by 13.3% since 1990; therefore, the reef is growing more slowly than ever before.

Fuel Emissions From Marine Vessels Remain A Global Concern

A model called the Total Energy and Emission Analysis for Marine Systems recently found that shifting to cleaner fuels for marine vessels will in fact reduce greenhouse emissions by reducing sulfur oxide emissions, whereas oil companies claimed that switching to cleaner fuels would exacerbate global climate change.

Seagull Blood Shows Promise For Monitoring Pollutants From Oil Spills

Seagull blood may help scientists monitor pollutants from oil spills, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in marine environments.

Alex: 1, 7, 10

Surprise On Journey To Center Of The Earth: Light Tectonic Plates Lead The Way

The crust is sinking into the Earth at subduction zones, which explains why some plates are moving so fast.

Hot And Cold: Circulation Of Atmosphere Affected Mediterranean Climate During Last Ice Age

Scientists found out that during the ice age 23000 years ago, the atmospheric changes affected the climate of the Mediterranean. Not only that, but the heat is going to be increasing each year causing droughts and heat waves. The climate is affected by the mountain ranges nearby.

How Healthy Are America's Coasts?

Surprisingly, America's coasts have improved in health. This is important because America's coast is important for nurseries, hatcheries, etc.

Saourya: 3, 8, 9