A motley collection of boneworms
After planting several dead whales on the seafloor, a team of biologists recently announced that as many as 15 different species of boneworms may live in Monterey Bay alone.
MBARI News—2009
Christopher Scholin appointed MBARI President and CEO
Molecular biologist Christopher Scholin has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the institute’s Board of Directors announced on November 3, 2009.
Marine biologists name new deep-water coral after Julie Packard
Julie Packard was presented with a plaque containing photos of a new species of deep-sea coral that was recently named after her.
Deep-sea ecosystems affected by climate change
Based on long-term studies of two such areas, a new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) shows that animal communities on the abyssal seafloor are affected in a variety of ways by climate change.
MBARI President and CEO Marcia McNutt to lead U.S. Geological Survey
On October 21, 2009 Marcia McNutt was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as director of the United States Geological Survey.
New robot travels across the seafloor to monitor the impact of climate change on deep-sea ecosystems
Like the robotic rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which wheeled tirelessly across the dusty surface of Mars, a new robot spent most of July traveling across the muddy ocean bottom, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) off the California coast.
Researchers invited to upcoming ASLO session on microbial oceanography
MBARI researchers Alexandra Worden and Elif Demir, along with Andrew Allen of the J. Craig Venter Institute, are organizing a group of talks titled Ecology and Diversity of Aquatic Protists: Advances and Methodologies for the February 2010 ASLO meeting.
New species of deep-sea worms release glowing “bombs”
Deep-sea worms have evolved an amazing array of body types and survival strategies. The latest addition to this collection of oddities is a group of swimming worms with small oval sacs of fluid hanging from their bodies, just behind their heads.
MBARI’s Environmental sample processor wins R&D Magazine award
R&D Magazine announced that MBARI’s Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) had been chosen as one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced onto the marketplace during 2008.
Scientists report first remote, underwater detection of harmful algae, toxins
Scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and MBARI have successfully conducted the first remote detection of a harmful algal species and its toxin below the ocean’s surface.
MBARI President and CEO Marcia McNutt to be nominated as Director of U.S. Geological Survey
On July 9, 2009, President Obama announced his intent to nominate MBARI’s President and CEO, Marcia McNutt, as Director of the United States Geological Survey and Science Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior.
New insights on red tides and harmful algal blooms in Monterey Bay
For the last five years, MBARI Oceanographer John Ryan has been studying red tides and harmful algal blooms in Monterey Bay. In this multi-media presentation, Ryan talks about some of the exciting discoveries he and his co-researchers have made.
New report highlights role of coastal areas in the American economy
A new report by the National Ocean Economics Program (NOEP) highlights the enormous overall value of our nation’s coastal areas and the critical role the oceans play in America’s economic health and well being.
MBARI 2008 Annual Report highlights cabled observatory, biodiversity, CO2 studies
The design, development, construction, and successful operation of the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) cabled observatory is highlighted in the MBARI 2008 Annual Report.
Scientists urge world leaders to respond cooperatively to Pacific Ocean threats
More than four hundred leading scientists from nearly two-dozen countries have signed a consensus statement on the major threats facing the Pacific Ocean.
First sea trials for deep-ocean robotic DNA lab
In late April 2009, a team of MBARI researchers tested the world’s only deep-sea robotic DNA lab beneath the waters of Monterey Bay.
Increasing carbon dioxide and decreasing oxygen in the oceans will make it harder for deep-sea animals to “breathe”
New calculations made by marine chemists from MBARI suggest that low-oxygen “dead zones” in the ocean could expand significantly over the next century.
Genes from tiny marine algae suggest unsuspected avenues for new research
By sequencing the DNA of two tiny marine algae, a team of scientists has opened up a myriad of possibilities for new research in algal physiology, plant biology, and marine ecology.
New seafloor observatory provides round-the-clock monitoring of ocean and Earth
In late February, MBARI marine-operations staff connected two new instruments to the MARS ocean observatory in Monterey Bay. One instrument, developed by John Horne at the University of Washington, uses sound to monitor marine life. The second instrument is an ultra-sensitive seismometer sponsored by Barbara Romanowicz at the University of California, Berkeley.
MBARI’s new robot submarine completes first research dives
On February 24, 2009, MBARI’s new robot submarine, the ROV Doc Ricketts made its first research dive. The new ROV replaces MBARI’s ROV Tiburon, which was built by MBARI staff in 1996.
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.