Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences

Study shows that hitchhiking bacteria can go against the flow

Scientists find that water fleas facilitate bacterial dispersal, allowing microbes to reach inaccessible habitats. The 'conveyor-belt' hypothesis is confirmed through lab and field experiments.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 9, 2010

Study shows continued spread of 'dead zones'

The number of dead zones in coastal waters has increased by a third between 1995 and 2007, with 405 areas affected, covering an area of 95,000 square miles. Dead zones are caused by excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to oxygen depletion.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Sciences·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2008