Areas of study
At MBARI, scientists and engineers work together to explore and study the sea. The Research and Development group includes engineers who develop new technologies for marine research, as well as scientists who use these technologies to expand scientific knowledge.
Bioluminescence: Living light in the deep sea
Bioluminescence is common among deep-sea animals. MBARI research is revealing how and why animals produce their stunning light shows.
Biology
Marine biologists do most of their research on organisms that live in the open ocean and the deep sea.
Chemistry
Chemical oceanographers use automated sensors and underwater experiments to study how the chemistry of seawater relates to biological processes and interactions with the atmosphere and the seafloor.
Geology
Marine geologists study geologic processes and geologic features that occur in the ocean.
Ocean acidification
As the concentration of carbon dioxide has increased in the oceans, they are becoming more acidic. We are studying this process and its potential effects on marine organisms.
Physical oceanography and climate change
Oceanographers study the physical characteristics of seawater and the movement of water masses due to winds, waves, tides, and currents. They are particularly interested in the effects these physical processes have on living organisms in the oceans.
Science
- Upper-ocean systems
- Midwater research
- Seafloor processes
- Areas of study
- Past research
