All articles tagged with #scripps institution of oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography reports record-high local sea levels and water temperatures in San Diego, driven by a potentially historic El Niño. NOAA forecasts a wetter, warmer winter for the U.S. South and East Coast, while California faces severe erosion risks during king tides.
Researchers from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography found caustic alkaline waste in barrels dumped off Los Angeles decades ago, not the DDT waste expected. An estimated 300,000 barrels were dumped between the 1930s and 1970s, with about 27,000 still visible on the seafloor roughly 3,000 feet deep. Leaking barrels have left white halos and altered the seabed’s chemistry, potentially disrupting nitrogen and sulfur cycling and microbial communities for centuries. Cleanup is being approached cautiously because contents and sealed-status are uncertain, and researchers call for further study; the findings were published in PNAS Nexus.
Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have analyzed Martian meteorites, revealing detailed information about Mars' mantle and crust structure. These meteorites, originating from volcanic activity on Mars, provide insights into the planet's formation and evolution, and help inform current NASA missions. The study highlights similarities and differences between Martian and Earth volcanism, offering a glimpse into the early geological processes of both planets.
Scientists at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography have successfully created the first transgenic sea urchins, which glow under fluorescent light due to the insertion of jellyfish DNA. This breakthrough allows for easier genetic modification and study of sea urchins, potentially transforming them into a widely accessible model organism for research in neurobiology, developmental biology, and toxicology. The goal is to make these genetically modified urchins available to researchers globally, similar to how transgenic mice and fruit flies are used in labs.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography has used Kelly Slater's Surf Ranch as a test facility to study wave dynamics and the science behind waves. Researchers from Scripps, Kelly Slater Wave Co., and Naval Postgraduate School used a new instrument called the wavedrifter to make in situ measurements inside waves, providing valuable insights into wave behavior and the intense accelerations that occur when waves overturn. The study also explored the complex vortex structures created when waves break, which have implications for coastal engineering and shoreline changes. The implementation of the wavedrifter in coastal environments can contribute to better coastal planning and beach management.
The Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP), an innovative research vessel operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has been retired after over 60 years of service. FLIP was a unique platform that could transition from a horizontal barge to a vertical spar platform, providing stability and minimizing the effects of ocean swells for scientific experiments. It played a crucial role in physical oceanographic research, producing high-quality data and setting a gold standard for ocean modeling. FLIP's legacy will live on as one of its booms will be mounted onto a pier for continued use in deploying instruments into the water.