A study by Dr. Grace Saba and professor Deborah Steinberg reveals that small forage fish can transport significant amounts of carbon from the surface to depth via their fecal pellets, which sink at rates of hundreds to thousands of feet per day.
Researchers have successfully unraveled the life cycle of Hematodinium, a single-celled parasite affecting blue crabs. The study provides critical information on transmission and development time, enabling better management and handling practices for wild-caught blue crabs and shrimp farms.
Scientists are using sound waves to monitor oil droplet size in deep-sea blowouts, potentially guiding dispersant use. Preliminary results show acoustic techniques can penetrate the plume and track droplet size, offering a promising alternative to optical devices.
A recent study led by a US scientist estimates that human impacts on the ocean could cost the global economy over $1 trillion per year by 2100. The research highlights the urgent need to reduce pollution, overfishing, and other threats to ocean health.
Researchers gathered at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to integrate and refine field measurements and computer models of carbon cycling in US East Coast waters. The goal is to create a single integrated carbon budget that represents the flow of carbon within and between coastal components.
Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have developed genetic markers to test blue marlin for their ocean of origin. The new test can accurately determine if a blue marlin was taken from the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, helping federal seafood agents enforce regulations and prevent overfishing.
Students from three schools will use robotic submarines to map and monitor shipwrecks scuttled by Lord Cornwallis during the Battle of Yorktown. The project aims to conserve these historical sites and introduce students to advanced robotics and marine science.
The 2011 survey found a significant increase in young-of-year striped bass numbers in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, with over 27 fish per seine haul recorded. This strong year class is expected to grow into a sustainable population, benefiting both recreational and commercial anglers.
A global study found that seven out of 61 species are threatened, with the southern bluefin tuna being one of them. The main factors contributing to this are the fish's high dollar value leading to heavy fishing pressure and their slow reproduction rate.
A new study by Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers suggests that disease-resistant oysters are thriving in the high-salinity areas of Chesapeake Bay, where MSX and Dermo parasites thrive. Restoration efforts should focus on these areas to increase resistance, rather than low-salinity refugia.
A new study reveals that jellyfish blooms drastically alter marine food webs by shunting food energy from fish toward bacteria. The researchers found that jellyfish produce organic matter rich in carbon, which is rapidly metabolized by bacteria, reducing its potential to assimilate into the food web.
A new study has assessed the extinction risk of individual seagrass species worldwide, revealing that 10 out of 72 species are at elevated risk of extinction. The research highlights the critical role seagrasses play in maintaining marine ecosystems and human livelihoods.
A volunteer-based survey of diamondback terrapins is being conducted in Virginia to monitor their population and habitat. The study aims to improve conservation efforts for the species, which faces threats from habitat loss, nest predation, and drowning in crab pots.
A new antibody-based biosensor can detect marine pollutants like oil much faster and more cheaply than current technologies. The device can process samples in less than 10 minutes and detect pollutants at levels as low as just a few parts per billion.
A new VIMS study finds that propeller-induced turbulence kills large numbers of copepods, tiny crustaceans crucial to marine food webs. The researchers warn that this could have significant impacts on local ecosystems and water quality.
Researchers found that exposure to salty water reduces Vibrio vulnificus levels in oysters, potentially providing a low-cost solution to FDA regulations. The study suggests an 'oyster relay' method could be effective in minimizing the presence of the bacterium.
A comprehensive analysis of 574 field and laboratory studies reveals that plant communities with many species are nearly 1.5 times more productive than those with only one species. This suggests that biodiversity is essential for maintaining the functioning of ecosystems, particularly in estuaries like Chesapeake Bay.
Professor Elizabeth Canuel of VIMS has been awarded a prestigious Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellowship to enhance her skills in effective science communication. She will participate in two intensive training sessions on Capitol Hill to promote the application of scientific knowledge to address environmental issues.
Researchers from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science deployed an underwater glider in the Ross Sea near Antarctica, collecting data on water temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll concentrations. The glider's continuous sampling allows for a better understanding of short-term physical changes and their impact on ocean biology.
Researchers are collecting zooplankton in Antarctic waters to understand how climate change affects the food web and potentially helps move carbon dioxide into the deep sea. The team is also monitoring changes in Adélie penguin populations, which have declined by over 80% in 36 years.
The VIMS team is studying the Arctic coastal ecosystem, focusing on nutrient inputs and microbial community changes in response to climate change. Warmer temperatures, increased runoff, and larger ice-free areas may shift productivity from phytoplankton to bacteria, threatening native ecosystems.
Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that absolute sea level in Chesapeake Bay is rising at a rate of about 1.8 millimeters per year, slower than the global average. However, local subsidence rates are significantly higher, adding up to a growing threat of coastal flooding and erosion.
A global study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that 33% of shark, skate, and ray species are threatened with extinction. Conservation actions have benefited a few vertebrate species worldwide, but insufficient efforts to slow the overall increase in threatened species.
A new international research project will explore how nutrient pollution and biodiversity changes affect seagrass beds worldwide. The project aims to improve computer models and management strategies for predicting coastal zone change.