Researchers estimate that ocean acidity has risen by about 30% since the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, but they need better data to improve assessments of where the problem is most severe, and to model future trends. A meeting on campus this week, involving oceanographers from more than 20 countries, aimed to develop plans to build on existing observation networks, giving buoys and other monitoring devices the ability to make standardized ocean acidification measurements.
Read more »Arctic sea-ice levels at record low for June - The Guardian
Satellite observations show the extent of the Arctic’s floating ice that melts and refreezes every year was 318,000 square miles less last week than the same day period in 2007, the year of record low extent, and the lowest observed at this time of year since records began in 1979. Research from the Polar Science Center is mentioned; read more here.
Read more »US setting Arctic drilling policy to protect environment, indigenous people - CS Monitor
With receding sea ice allowing energy exploration in the Arctic, the US is set to unveil a five-year leasing plan that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of the drilling. SMEA‘s Tom Leschine is quoted. Read more here.
Read more »UW deploying seismic sensors to study Spokane's swarm - UW News
In 2001, scores of quakes of magnitude 4.0 or less shook the Spokane area. Now, armed with the right tools, scientists want to find out what was at fault. ESS‘ Douglas Gibbons is guiding installation of strong-motion sensors, as part of a project called NetQuakes, to help improve understanding of what lies beneath Spokane. Read more here!
Read more »Slowest Greenland sharks hunt sleeping seals - BioScholar
Researchers have measured the speed of the ocean’s slowest shark – the Greenland sharks, which “cruise” at 0.34m per second that is less than 1mph and revealed that they hunt sleeping seals. SAFS‘ Vince Gallucci is quoted. Read more here!
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