Climate Change: Seafloor Graveyards Digitally Mapped - http://clapway.com/2015/08/14/climate-change-seafloor-digitally-mapped-102/

There’s a new digital map limning the composition of the seafloor, a major factor in global climate change, and it’s shown evidence of “microfossil” graveyards off the coast of Australia, in addition to other complex deep-ocean geology.

SEAFLOOR GRAVEYARD IS AVAILABLE ONLINE

The interactive map is actually available via the online journal Geology, published August 9th. This marks a first at creating an extensive, comprehensive map in the past 40 years. There hasn’t been a single attempt at such a map since the 1970s, which the University of Sydney has announced was drawn by hand. Back then, the impetus to understand how the planet reacts to global climate change wasn’t so great, either.

“The old map suggests much of the Southern Ocean around Australia is mainly covered by clay blown off the continent, whereas our map shows this area is actually a complex patchwork of microfossil remains,” said study author Adriana Dutkiewicz, a sedimentologist at the University of Sydney in a statement. “Life in the Southern Ocean is much richer than previously thought.”

SECRET TO GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AVERSION IN DEAD DIATOMS

The microfossils discovered are actually from a type of phytoplankton that takes in carbon dioxide and excretes oxygen. Known as diatoms, these phyloplankton take roughly 20% of breathable oxygen in the air, air we need to breathe. When they die, diatoms sink down to the dark musty abyssal of the oceans, dragging all the their carbon with them. This process is referred to as “carbon sink,” and it helps prevent the renown greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from spreading into and warming the planet’s fragile atmosphere.

The new map also showed scientists that masses of dead diatoms are resting in the Southern Ocean, which are not where diatoms ordinarily bloom on the ocean surface. Continuing our studies of these underwater distributions of dead diatoms will help us come to understand how oceans reacted to eras of greater climate change in the past, said Dutkiewicz. Color coding (visible on the map) represents what composes the seafloor from region to region: light green is “diatom ooze,” which is a mix of mud and diatom bits; blue is “calcareous ooze,” which is mud and calcium carbonate from microscopic shelled animals; and brown is simply clay. Red spots are volcanic ash and gravel, and yellow is sand.

DATA COLLECTION & MAP MAKING

So far the data incorporated to construct a map of the 15,000 seafloor samples has been collected exclusively from research cruises. After the ventures, big-data algorithms were used to synthesize the data into one contiguous map.

Dutkiewicz is excited that for this new map to guide future research missions.

“Australia’s new research vessel ‘Investigator’ is ideally placed to further investigate the impact of environmental change on diatom productivity,” she explained. “We urgently need to understand how the ocean responds to climate change.”

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Climate Change: Seafloor Graveyards Digitally Mapped

California: Yet Another Dead Humpback Whale Found at a Pacifica Beach - http://clapway.com/2015/08/03/california-yet-another-dead-humpback-whale-found-at-a-pacifica-beach-235/

The third dead whale to wash up on a Pacifica beach this year has residents concerned; however, researchers believe the latest humpback whale death was unrelated to the previous two.

Partial Necropsy Performed on Dead Humpback Whale on California Beaches

A 33-foot long humpback whale was found Sunday on Esplanade beach. It is the latest whale death in the Pacifica area where previously this year, two other whales have washed ashore. While residents may be concerned, marine officials assure the public that the latest death, while still saddening, is unrelated.

According to spokeswoman Laura Sherr of the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, a partial necropsy was performed by staff researchers from the Marine Mammal Center as well as the California Academy of Sciences.

The initial findings from the necropsy revealed injuries that were consistent with blunt force trauma with evidence of hemorrhaging in muscles disarticulated bones. However, the marine official was very careful in explaining that these were preliminary findings and no definitive cause of death has been recorded as of yet.

Marine Biologists Believe Whale Deaths are Unrelated

The main cause of concern for California residents living at Pacifica beaches are the frequency of the deaths.

In April of this year, a badly decaying carcass of a sperm whale had been found near Mori Point. After researchers dissected the massive whale, they were puzzled as to the cause of death. There still has been no official cause of death reported.

One more later in May at Sharp Park Beach, another whale had come to shore. The dead humpback whale was believed to have succumbed to a probable strike from a ship.

Though the frequency of three deaths in four months seems quite high to the public, marine biologists say it is not unusual to have that many deaths. Especially when considering the deaths appear to be unrelated.

The Good News About Humpback Whale Sightings

If there were more deaths in a shorter time frame or if they cause of death were the same for every whale that washed ashore, then it would be more strange and perhaps worrisome. However, Sherr has reported that the number of humpback whales in the Pacific near California is high, which may also account for what seems to be a large number of deaths. Just looking at numbers, the more whales in an area, the higher the likelihood one will die and wash ashore.

Though this specific humpback whale met an unfortunate end on the California beach, Sherr says there have been many reports of live humpback whale sightings in the hundreds in the area, which bodes well for the whale population.

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California: Yet Another Dead Humpback Whale Found at a Pacifica Beach

A #beaked #whale was #found off #coast of #JonesBeach - http://clapway.com/2015/07/26/massachusetts-rare-deep-water-whale-washed-ashore-on-jones-beach-235/

A rare, deep-water species of beaked whale washed ashore on Jones Beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Friday, July 24th. Marine biologists and aquarium biologists are investigating the animal’s death by performing a necropsy.

Deep-water Whale Washed Ashore on Jones Beach

Beach-goers kicking off the weekend in Massachusetts made a shocking discovery when they happened upon the bloated carcass of a beached, beaked whale on the rocks at Jones Beach on Friday.

The tragic event was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime happening as these particular whales are rarely ever seen, especially in the Cape Cod Bay area. Marine biologists from the New England Aquarium are investigating the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death. The biologists took the 17-foot carcass to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to perform a necropsy.

Beached, beaked whale a rare occurrence in Massachusetts

Though there are several species of beaked whales swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, sightings of the large animals, which prefer staying hundreds of miles offshore, is so rare that biologists in Massachusetts haven’t handled a beaked whale for nearly a decade.

Speculations about the species is floating between two theories at the moment, a mixture of the rarity of the find and misinformation from the media. While some news outlets have reported a Cuvier’s beaked whale washed ashore, many other spotters have said this whale was a Sowerby’s beaked whale.

The specimen that washed up exhibited a long, slender snout as seen in pictures provided by the New England Aquarium and weighed around one ton. Preliminary research has estimated the whale to be a female of 7-8 years old.

Marine biologists have a chance to study the rare whale

Authorities handling the case said the whale had been in fairly good condition and had not decayed too quickly. It was also noted that no obvious trauma was present on the carcass, suggesting it had not been hit by a ship nor entangled in fishing nets or lines.

Though the animal is not believed to have suffered physical trauma, a full necropsy by the aquarium biologists will reveal much more information. Biologists have no answer for how the 17-foot long massive animal was able to navigate into such a hard-to-reach spot within the rocks that it reportedly took nearly half the day to dislodge the animal and tow it away.

The animal should have been traveling in a pod of at least three to seven more whales far off from the beach. Instead, somehow, it became wedged between the rocks waiting for someone to come along and discover it.

Although under unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances, the rare whale’s death will in some way benefit the scientific community as marine biologists can study the elusive species with this specimen.

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Massachusetts: Rare, Deep-Water Whale Washed Ashore on Jones Beach

Make your speculations about this hairy #dolphin. - http://clapway.com/2015/07/01/russia-mysterious-furry-sea-creature-washes-up-on-beach-233/

A mysterious, unidentified sea creature washed up on the shore of Russia’s Sakhalin Island this week. Marine biology experts are mystified about the possible species the carcass belongs to.

Horrifying, Strange Sea Creature Baffles Russian Marine Experts

On Sakhalin, a island far in the east of Russia, a few locals have made a strange discovery of what appears to be the mutilated carcass of some unknown, weird sea creature.

Marine biology experts from the Sakhalin Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (SakhNIRO) have described the creature as sporting a long beak like a bird, a furry tail, and long tufts of hair-like structure on its bones. It’s also rather large, having been touted as twice the size of a human.

However, they have been unable to classify which species of animal the carcass actually is. Aside from the decaying flesh of its carcass and its location near the Shakhtersk Airport on Sakhalin, the scientists have no other clues to solve this mystery.

Speculations Run Wild to the Weird Species Washed Up in Russia

As Russian scientists work on finding the real answer, speculations erupt via social media as to what exactly the sea creature can be. The strange theories range from mundane–a small, decomposing whale–to insane–a prehistoric, mutant animal hybrid.

Some theorists are absolutely certain the hideous sea monster is actually just a the gory, gutted remains of a Ganges River dolphin. It’s not completely unheard of for this species to travel to cooler waters. However, the presence of fur on the animal’s tail makes it harder to back the Ganges River dolphin theory considering those animals do not have fur.

Many of these odd conjectures also like to throw in the fun fact that the rotting carcass came ashore on a beach that is technically closer to the United States than it is to Moscow, Russia’s capital city. Perhaps they’re showing the remoteness of the location or perhaps they just want to distance themselves from the bizarre anomaly.

So seriously, what species is that odd sea creature?

Marine scientists haven’t been able to identify the strange monster yet, though some SakhNIRO researchers are confident it is some species of dolphin.

Nikolay Kim, Deputy Head of the Forecasting Department, said the creature’s head and beak point towards it being a dolphin, albeit a rather large one.

And what about the fur on its skin? Kim attributes it to being the characteristic of such a rare species. Though unusual, because dolphins don’t have fur, the scientists say it may be some subset that is just now making its presence known.

As Russian researchers search for the true answer to the mystery, the case remains open to wild speculations about what strange species the sea creature can actually be.

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Russia: Mysterious, Furry Sea Creature Washes Up On Beach

Scientists Discover New Coral Species That Lives 4000 Years - http://clapway.com/2015/07/01/scientists-discover-oldest-coral-species-that-lives-4000-years457/

Newly discovered Hawaiian coral species can live up to 4,000 years!

Recently, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural have discovered a new coral species in Hawaii. The species is a milestone discovery for one remarkable reason. Like with its ground-based alternative, trees, the measurement of age is based on the number of rings in the coral. The new species is the longest living marine creature that is known to science so far based on radiocarbon measurements on the growth rings- four thousand years.

The discovery hit the Hawaiian news yesterday afternoon

The species is known now as the Leiopathes annosa. The Latin name refers to the species’ longevity. The coral is found in the ocean depths of one thousand to one thousand six hundred feet in the Hawaiian Island area, the area of Papahanaumokuakea included.

The various depths of the world’s oceans are still quite unknown to us

This sentiment is shared by all who study these underground terrains, most especially when they continue to find new specimens unknown to science to log into the books. It also shows how much we have yet to understand about the environments in which we find these new species as well.

According to the news story, the new coral species was incorrectly identified as one that exists in the Mediterranean Sea, but upon further inspection the consensus was that it was unique. Researchers after the initial impressions were done with could see that this new coral species was different in its morphology in the comparisons of Hawaiian and Mediterranean specimens.

Want more info about the new coral species?

For more in-depth detail about the specimen, you can read it here in the ZOOTAXA article.

The specimens of the new coral species were collected by the Hawaii Undersea Research Lab for study then given to the National Musuem of Natural History in D.C and to the Bishop Musuem in Honolulu for further studies whenever feasible. Time will tell what further information can be revealed from this new coral species and also the underwater environment that houses the species.

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Scientists Discover New Coral Species That Lives 4000 Years

Would you believe an oarfish is actually a lot bigger than an oar? - http://clapway.com/2015/06/03/u-s-stumbling-upon-a-catalina-island-oarfish-on-a-monday/

Would you believe an oarfish is actually a lot bigger than an oar? Not exactly a misnomer, this particular oarfish, washed up along the shores of Catalina Island near Los Angeles, California, was up to about 17-feet in length.

What is an Oarfish?

Oarfish are normally thin and long, and are reminiscent of an oar on a ship. Sometimes called “ribbon fish”, they sometimes get mistaken for sea serpents (they do slither so it’s not hard to see why that would be). They are the longest of the bony species, and feed on plankton, fish and shrimp. They have no interest in humans as food. National Geographic reports that oarfish can actually reach lengths of 56 feet and weigh up to 600 pounds.

It’s not easy to spot an oarfish as they are very much bottom-dwellers in that they stay close to the depths of the ocean’s ground. They only seem to swim toward the ocean’s shore in the event of injury or near-death. The last sighting was in October 2013 and it was 18-feet long so this . The only live sighting was way back of 2001.

Finding This Pelagic Serpentine Creature Along Catalina’s Shores

Environmental researchers from the the Catalina Conservancy were actually along Catalina Island’s beach in search of pelagic birds on Monday morning. They stumbled upon this monstrosity instead.

Annie MacAulay saw the oarfish in the middle of a kayaking trip with a group of kids. As president and CEO of Mountain and Sea Adventures, educational trips along her Catalina Island home are part of her every day life. Seeing tremendous oarfish, however are not.

She is a marine science educator at her nonprofit whose aims are to bring awareness about the environment to the community. The oarfish had bodily damage on its tail as if preyed on by another predatory. Birds had pecked its eyes out. Other than that, the fish’s body was fine.

The Significance of this Find

The corpse of the oarfish was sent to researchers at Cal State Fullerton for further examination. Its mass took the help of 16 people to transport it.  Researchers performed a necropsy to uncover possible causes for its death. It’s hard to study these serpentine bony fish because of how rare they are to come across. This is a gift for marine science from way down below.

U.S.: Stumbling Upon A Catalina Island Oarfish On A Monday