New report describes sources of carbon dioxide in the U.S.
MBARI oceanographer Francisco Chavez served as one of two lead authors on the Coastal Ocean chapter of the recently released State of the Carbon Cycle Report.
MBARI News—2007
A new generation of robotic explorers
Autonomous robots that can “think for themselves” will soon be exploring and monitoring the dark depths of the ocean as well as the frontiers of outer space.
Changes in the deep
A recent paper by MBARI postdoctoral fellow Henry Ruhl shows that the number and sizes of deep-sea animals can change dramatically from year to year.
All in day’s work
During a recent cruise, the crew of the Point Lobos came ashore with an unexpected “by-catch”—four cold, tired kayakers.
New exhibit on MBARI research opening at at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Starting on September 15, 2007, visitors to the Monterey Bay Aquarium will be able to experience the thrill of deep-sea exploration in a new exhibit, Mission to the Deep.
Inking in the dark
Many shallow-water octopuses and squids release ink when disturbed. In the pitch black environment of the deep sea, such releases might seem like a waste of effort.
Humboldt squid on the move
July 23, 2007 – Over the last five years, large, predatory Humboldt squid have moved north from equatorial waters and invaded the sea off Central California, where they may be decimating populations of Pacific hake, an important commercial fish.
Highlights of MBARI’s 2007 Open House
On Saturday, June 30, MBARI opened its doors to the general public for its annual Open House. Over 100 MBARI employees and other volunteers, including scientists, engineers, machinists, ROV pilots, and ships’ crews, shared their excitement about MBARI research
Scaling a scientific Tower of Babel—Helping oceanographic instruments learn a common language
Two new reports recommend that in order to increase inter-connectivity between oceanographic sensors and data-processing systems, the designers, manufacturers, and end users of these systems must connect with one another to find areas of agreement and work toward common goals and standards.
Antarctic Icebergs: hotspots of ocean life
According to a new study in this week’s journal Science these floating islands of ice—some over 20 kilometers (12 miles) across—are having a major impact on the ecology and chemistry of the ocean around them.
MBARI 2006 annual report highlights exciting new research
Many people think of annual reports as pages of legal jargon punctuated by long tables of financial information.
MBARI’s ROV Ventana completes 3,000 science dives
May 8, 2007 – MBARI’s first remotely operated vehicle, ROV Ventana, reached a new milestone today with the completion of its 3,000th research dive.
Need a water sample? Send out the robot
In the near future, when MBARI scientists want to collect a sample of seawater, they won’t have to go out in a boat—they’ll just send out a robot submarine.
Cable laid for new deep-sea observatory
On April 1, 2007 researchers completed an important step in constructing the first deep-sea cabled observatory in the continental United States. In a multi-institution effort managed by MBARI and funded by the National Science Foundation, 52 kilometers (32 miles) of cable were laid along the seafloor of Monterey Bay.
MBARI researchers perform first automated analysis of genetic material in the deep sea
In a culmination of seven years of work, MBARI researchers this week performed the first automated analysis of genetic material in the deep sea.
A worm like no other
It sounds like a junior high school riddle—”What lives 3,000 feet below the ocean surface, is about the size of a marble, and looks like the back side of a pig?” MBARI biologist Karen Osborn and her colleagues recently came up with an answer to this riddle by combining modern DNA analysis with traditional methods of scientific observation.
New species of hagfish found near hydrothermal vent
While diving near hydrothermal vents on the East Pacific Rise in the human-occupied submarine Alvin, MBARI marine biologist Joe Jones spotted a hagfish swimming along the seafloor.
MBARI researchers discuss ocean-observing systems at AAAS conference
This week, several MBARI researchers are speaking at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Francisco.
Methane bubbling through seafloor creates undersea hills
According to a recent paper published by MBARI geologists and their colleagues, methane gas bubbling through seafloor sediments has created hundreds of low hills on the floor of the Arctic Ocean.
MBARI president addresses women’s science conference
On January 10, 2007, MBARI president and CEO Marcia McNutt spoke at a conference for women leaders in science, technology and engineering at the Arab Organizations Headquarters in Kuwait.
About MBARI
Research programs at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) encompass the entire ocean, from the surface waters to the deep seafloor, and from the coastal zone to the open sea. The need to understand the ocean in all its complexity and variability drives MBARI's research and development efforts.