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Nepheloid layers, defined by their increased concentration of suspended particulate material (SPM), are an important transport mechanism in the pelagic to benthic coupling of material, including rich organic matter. Fortuitously located at the edge of the Celtic Sea shelf along the NE Atlantic margin; an area of high energy and primary production–the Whittard Canyon is recognised as a refuge for benthic and suspension feeding fauna. The formation and composition of material in benthic (BNL) and intermediate nepheloid layers (INLs) in the Whittard Canyon were investigated over the course of three research surveys between 2011 and 2013, in order to investigate the extent and significance of this transport pathway. BNLs were detected in the four surveyed branches, to water depths greater than 2500 m, with INLs occurring as extensions from the benthic source and stretching distances of 25 km off the slope. Hotspots for nepheloid layer generation were identified at depths of critical and supercritical conditions for semidiurnal internal tide reflection and at the boundaries of the permanent thermocline and Mediterranean Outflow Water. Seasonal variations in primary productivity and, temporal variations induced by the combined effects of (seasonal) stratification and storm activity, influenced nepheloid layer generation and the distribution patterns of SPM. Recently, bottom trawling activity has also become a recognised and legitimate mechanism for sediment transport, feeding thick or enhanced nepheloid layers (ENLs). ENLs, with concentrations of SPM typically an order of magnitude higher than normal nepheloid layers, were detected during the survey in June 2013. High spatial and temporal coverage of bottom trawlers, identified using Vessel Monitoring System data, coincided with the occurrence of these events. Material collected from (normal) BNLs and INLs in 2013 showed enrichment of fresh particulate organic material (molar C/N, pigments, SEMs, lipid biomarkers). BNLs in the upper reaches of the canyon (650 – 750 m) had high concentrations of labile lipids and showed high contributions of chlorophyll a and other compounds derived from primary production in the surface waters. Considerable compositional heterogeneity was also observed in the nepheloid layers, indicative of the inherent natural, spatial and temporal variance of settling organic and resuspended material that is influenced by different processes in the different branches. Localised variations in energy fluxes in the different canyon branches partly explain the frequency, location and level of turbidity of the nepheloid layers. However the differing degree of trawling activity adjacent to the canyon branches is also likely to have an influence, particularly on the compositional components. Qualitative analysis (lipid biomarkers) from benthic nepheloid layers (1300 – 1400 m) showed an apparent eastern and western differentiation which is likely associated with the alteration of material by trawling activity. In terms of sediment transport rates, the magnitude of the fishing activity adjacent to the Whittard Canyon is shown to have impacts on human rather than geological timescales. Furthermore, a unique assemblage of limid bivalves and deep-sea oysters was found in association with nepheloid layers in the canyon. Changes to the distribution and delivery of rich organic matter by nepheloid layers are likely to affect faunal feeding, distribution patterns and, the functioning of these canyon ecosystems.

On January 31, 2014, an oil spill accident occurred in Yeosu, South Korea. A total 800-899kl of oil from the pipeline was spilled into the sea. After the oil spill, the KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology) researched PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in various media, but sedimentary PAHs were not analyzed despite their longer persistency than in other media. Therefore, this study examined PAH levels in intertidal sediments around Gwangyang Bay and identified PAH sources using oil fingerprinting. PAH residual levels showed a dramatic decrease during the four months after the accident and then remained at a relatively constant level. Analysis through regression equations indicate that this study area is likely to be restored to the PAH levels prior to the accident. Furthermore, the source analysis and oil fingerprinting analysis showed that PAH contamination in this study was unlikely to have originated from the spilled oil.

The geothermal energy of thermal groundwater is currently being exploited for district-scale heating in many locations world-wide. The Carboniferous bedrock in the south and east of Ireland hosts a number of thermal springs with temperatures ranging from 12 – 25 °C. These temperatures are elevated with respect to average Irish groundwater temperatures (9.5 – 10.5 °C), and represent a geothermal energy potential, which is currently under evaluation. This thesis furthers our understanding of the sources, circulation pathways and temporal variations of the Irish thermal springs, by using a multi-disciplinary methodology (including audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) geophysical surveying, time-lapse temperature and chemistry measurements, and hydrochemical analysis) to develop hydrogeological conceptual models for several of these springs. A sub-set of six springs in the Carboniferous limestones of the Dublin Basin were examined. Seasonal hydrochemical data were explored using multivariate statistical analysis to investigate the source aquifers of the thermal groundwaters. The analysis indicates that the thermal waters flow within the limestones of the Dublin Basin, and there is evidence that some springs receive a contribution from deep-basinal, saline fluids. Three-dimensional electrical resistivity models of the subsurface were constructed from AMT data collected at Kilbrook spring (maximum of 25.0 °C) and St. Gorman’s Well (maximum of 21.8 °C). These models revealed two types of geological structure beneath the springs; (1) Carboniferous normal faults, and (2) Cenozoic strike-slip faults. The karstification of these vertically-persistent structures, particularly where they intersect, has provided conduits that facilitate the operation of a relatively deep hydrothermal circulation pattern (likely estimated depths between 240 and 1,000 m) within the Dublin Basin. The thermal maximum and simultaneous increased discharge observed at several of the springs each winter must be the result of rapid infiltration, heating and re-circulation of meteoric waters within a structurally- and recharge-controlled hydrothermal circulation system.

Thesis: Ph. D., Joint Program in Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2016.

Thesis: Ph. D., Joint Program in Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2016.

New methods need to be developed to handle the increasing size of data sets in atmospheric science - traditional analysis scripts often inefficiently read and process the data. NetCDF4 is a common file format used in atmospheric and ocean sciences, and Python is widely used in atmospheric and ocean science data analysis. The aim of this work is to provide insight into which read patterns and sizes are most effective when using the netCDF4-python library. Quantitative information on these would be useful information for scientists, library developers, and data managers.

Ocean observation plays an essential role in ocean exploration. Ocean science is entering into big data era with the exponentially growth of information technology and advances in ocean observatories. Ocean observatories are collections of platforms capable of carrying sensors to sample the ocean over appropriate spatio-temporal scales. Data collected by these platforms help answer a range of fundamental and applied research questions. Given the huge volume, diverse types, sustained measurement and potential uses of ocean observing data, it is a typical kind of big data, namely marine big data. The traditional data-centric infrastructure is insufficient to deal with new challenges arising in ocean science. This paper discusses some possible new strategies to solve marine big data challenges in the phases of data storage, data computing and analysis. A geological example illustrates the significant use of marine big data. Finally, we highlight some challenges and key issues in marine big data.

Deep sea circulation is important for world climate and has been a substantial research area in ocean science, leading to various breakthroughs and discoveries. With the rapid advance in research on ocean science, these matters have received increasing attention from the oceanography community. In this article, we attempt to convey the progress made in recent years. We first provide an overview of existing observations, theories, and simulations of deep South China Sea circulation. Finally, we discuss remaining issues.

Computer simulations are ubiquitous in contemporary engineering and science. In numerous fields, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, structural and aerospace engineering, automotive industry, oil industry, chemical engineering, ocean science and climate research to name just a few, simulation plays a critical role not only for verification purposes, but, more importantly in the design process itself. The complexity of structures and systems makes it analytically intractable, and it is thus extremely time-consuming and challenging to carry out any realistic design tasks, and in many cases, it is almost impossible to achieve any sensible design solutions under stringent constraints. These challenging tasks can be to optimally adjust the geometry and/or material parameters so that the system meets given performance requirements, or to calibrate the model parameters to make it fit given measurements, or to generate the optimal paths/routes for scheduling and planning tasks. In most cases, the interactions can be highly complex and multifold, and it is not easy or possible to isolate the processes of interest in the simplest, solvable form. For example, in the design of an electronic device, it is not just the isolated device to be designed that needs to be considered but also its – sometimes complex – interactions with the environment that affect the device’s performance. On the other hand, using accurate, realistic simulations allows the engineers to avoid costly prototyping and to realize the design closure with numerical models rather than through physical system measurements and prototype re-building. Furthermore, accurate simulations make it possible to analyze phenomena that could not be captured using simplistic theoretical models or too expensive or too time-consuming to be investigated through physical measurements. While high-fidelity numerical models can be very accurate, they tend to be computationally expensive. Simulation times of several hours, days, or weeks are not uncommon. In many cases, it may be a highly challenging task to just set up the model that takes into account all main, relevant system components and their interactions. One of the consequences is that a direct use of high-fidelity simulations in the optimization process may be prohibitive. The presence of massive computing resources is not always translated into computational speedup in practice, which is due to a growing demand for simulation

Do tiny floating microorganisms in the ocean's surface waters play a massive role in controlling the global climate?

This paper discusses the development and results of a new tool used for measuring shifts in students’ perceptions of earth and ocean sciences called the Student Perceptions about Earth Sciences Survey (SPESS). The survey measures where students lie on the novice–expert continuum, and how their perceptions change after taking one or more earth and ocean science course(s). The survey is composed of 29 statements that have been validated with expert responses and student interviews. Factor analysis was used to group statements into seven categories, which provide instructors with valuable information to guide pedagogical change in their classes. Overall student perceptions in earth and ocean sciences show little change over the course of the term, in contrast to novice shifts in perceptions seen in other science disciplines. Students in earth and ocean sciences also do not display any gender differences, unlike those seen in these other disciplines. However, differences are seen between face-to-face and distance education versions of a course, between earth and ocean science majors and nonmajors, and between a community college and a large research institution. The former of each pair are more expert-like. 2012 National Association of Geoscience Teachers. [DOI: 10.5408/10-199.1]

The Ecosystems Center, MBL, Woods Hole, MA, USA British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK Virginia Instute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, USA Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, NY, USA MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA Polar Oceans Research Group, Sheridan, MT, USA

The ocean's uptake of carbon dioxide increased during the 2000s. Models reveal that this was driven primarily by weak circulation in the upper ocean, solving a mystery of ocean science. See Letter p.215 The ocean has absorbed about 40 per cent of anthropogenic CO2 emissions since the beginning of the industrial era, making it the largest CO2 sink. However, there is large decadal variability in the oceanic CO2 sink, and it has been difficult to attribute this variability to specific processes. This paper finds that variability in the ocean's overturning circulation has been the primary driver of changes in oceanic CO2 uptake over the past several decades. Weaker overturning since the year 2000, for example, has led to increases in oceanic carbon uptake.

Concerns about the negative effects of marine scientific research are in clear juxtaposition to the beneficial role that scientific knowledge plays in enhancing the understanding of the oceans and protecting the marine environment. This presents a regulatory paradox that is examined in this article in light of the legal framework in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The article traces how these general principles in the Convention are elaborated in soft law instruments for the promotion of environmentally sustainable research practices. It also looks at an example of state practice in this area by examining regulatory measures instituted in the Canadian Endeavour Hydrothermal Vent Marine Protected Area.

Launched in 1981,the journal "Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology" published thirty volumes,and like tree rings the thirty volumes have recorded the development of marine geology over the 30 years of China's reform and opening-up.Today the Chinese marine science community is on the march to the deep open ocean,getting active on the ocean science frontiers.As shown by recent discoveries,the deep sea floor provides a passageway between the surface and interior parts of the Earth system,and its understanding has become a bottleneck in the Earth system studies.On the other hand,the marine science is now at the transition from "expedition" to "observation",and the sea-floor observatories are building up the third platform for the Earth system observation.Looking forward to the 30 years ahead,the "Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology" will mirror the progress of marine geology in China,keeping track of its growth in the international scientific arena.

In ocean science research, it often requires the integrity of the gas content in samples of seawater. The gas-tight deep-sea water sampler (GTWS) based on pressure self-adaptive equalizer (PSAE) can satisfy the requirement very well. The PSAE is required to achieve a reliable dynamic sealing in deep sea. The general O-ring is difficult to meet this requirement. The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-coated O-ring is chosen as the sealing parts. The finite element analysis (FEA) software ANSYS is used to analyze the contact pressure of the PTFE-coated O-ring in different conditions, that is, analyze the GTWS’s gas tightness theoretically. Combine with the sea trial results, the feasibility and reliability of the PTFE-coated O-ring in deep-sea dynamic sealing in PSAE can be prove both in theory and practice.

This paper gives an overview of a unique set of ship-based atmospheric data acquired over the tropical Atlantic Ocean during boreal spring and summer as part of ongoing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Aerosols and Ocean Science Expedition (AEROSE) field campaigns. Following the original 2004 campaign onboard the Ronald H. Brown, AEROSE has operated on a yearly basis since 2006 in collaboration with the NOAA Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic (PIRATA) Northeast Extension (PNE). In this work, attention is given to atmospheric soundings of ozone, temperature, water vapor, pressure, and wind obtained from ozonesondes and radiosondes launched to coincide with low earth orbit environmental satellite overpasses [MetOp and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) A-Train]. Data from the PNE/ AEROSE campaigns are unique in their range of marine meteorological phenomena germane to the satellite missions in question, including dust and smoke outflows from Africa, the Saharan air layer (SAL), and the distribution of tropical water vapor and tropical Atlantic ozone. The multiyear PNE/AEROSE sounding data are valuable as correlative data for prelaunch phase validation of the planned Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and NOAA Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellite R series (GOES-R) systems, as well as numerous other science applications. A brief summary of these data, along with an overview of some important science highlights, including meteorological phenomena of general interest, is presented.

Connecting science and policy to promote the effective management of marine resources is a necessity and challenge acknowledged by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders alike. As a leader on ocean issues, California has recognized the importance of integrating science into ocean and coastal management through specific policy choices. An example is the establishment of the California Ocean Science Trust (OST), a non-profit organization mandated to support management decisions with the best available science. The OST functions as a “boundary organization” bridging the often-disparate worlds of science and policy. Recently, while coordinating a scientific study on the controversial issue of decommissioning California's offshore oil and gas platforms, the OST encountered public misconceptions about the peer review process and how it can help ensure unbiased scientific information informs policy. The OST's experience with this study, and generally as a scientific knowledge broker, provides a practical per...

Results of Office of Naval Research (ONR)- and National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored collaborative coastal science experiments using underwater gliders were reported at the E.U./U.S. Baltic Sea conference in 2006. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognized the parallel educational potential and issued a trans-Atlantic challenge—modify one of the coastal gliders and fly it across the Atlantic, entraining and inspiring students along the way. Leveraging the experience of the NSF Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence, a needs assessment process guided the development of a new undergraduate research program based on the cognitive apprenticeship model. The generalized model was applied to the specific opportunities provided by the trans-Atlantic challenge, involving students in every aspect of the missions. Students participated in the modifications and testing required to increase glider endurance and in the development of the mission planning tools. Scientist and student teams conducted three long-duration missions: (1) RU15’s flight from New Jersey to Nova Scotia to test the lithium batteries and ruggedized fin technology in storms, (2) RU17’s first attempt at the Atlantic crossing that provided the lessons learned, and (3) RU27’s successful trans-Atlantic flight a year later. Post-flight activities included development of new intuitive glider data visualization software that enabled students to analyze the glider data and compare it with ocean forecast models, enabling students to create their own new knowledge. Lessons learned include the significant gains achieved by engaging students early, encouraging them to work as teams, giving them the tools to make their own discoveries, and developing a near-peer mentoring community for increasing retention and diversity. The success has inspired an even broader vision for international glider missions, that of a glider-enabled global classroom to repeat the track of the HMS Challenger and its first scientific circumnavigation of the globe.

The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) has been established to support innovation and to provide the information required to select the most appropriate tools for studying and monitoring coastal and ocean environments. ACT is a consortium of nationally prominent ocean science and technology institutions and experts who provide credible performance data of these technologies through third-party, objective testing. ACT technology verifications include laboratory and field tests over short- and long-term deployments of commercial technologies in diverse environments to provide unequivocal, unbiased confirmation that technologies meet key performance requirements. ACT demonstrations of new technologies validate the technology concept and help eliminate performance problems before operational introduction. ACT’s most recent demonstration of pCO2 sensors is an example of how ACT advances the evolution of ocean observing technologies, in this case to address the critical issue of ocean acidification, and promotes more informed decision making on technology capabilities and choices.

Ocean Science & Technology School, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 606-791, KoreaReceived April 24, 2014, Accepted May 30, 2014Key Words : Sargassum siliquastrum , Chromanol, Meroterpenoid, CytotoxicityIn the course of our continuing phytochemical investi-gation of the algal genus Sargassum, we have recentlypublished antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of organic ex-tract of S. siliquastrum

They say that, as you get older, your ability to absorb new information diminishes and your capacity to hold old information dwindles. Looking back over past issues of Oceanography, I realized that dementia has well and truly set in for me. A couple of years ago, I wrote about communicating with the public, with a focus on media. In the same article, I promised a follow on in my next missive on the subject of outreach in schools, whose pupils are the biggest absorbers of information and ideas. Although many of us focus on university students in our teaching, we should remember that no age is too young to start a noble education in ocean science.

An operational oceanographic system needs to be established for the preservation and management of marine environments and resources, and also to secure the safety and efficiency of marine operations in Korea. One of the major roles of operational oceanography is to deliver ocean science products which can meet the requirements of users such as marine industries, the general public, government agencies, and scientific research communities. Technical issues in relation to development of an effective operational oceanographic system in Korea are identified and discussed. Among others, cooperation among the agencies in ocean, meteorology, hydrology and environment, and also among those of neighboring countries is important for the development of an effective operational oceanographic system. The strategy for building a system that meets the demands of users, with consideration to potential problems, are explored.

When physicist Tim Berners-Lee and a team of fellow scientists at the European Center for High Energy Physics (CERN) launched the first-ever Web site in 1989, their goal was to make it easier for scientists to access research documents and scientific data (CERN, 2008). In 1998, Virginia Sea Grant educators at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) had a similar goal: to make ocean science educational resources and current research data more accessible to classroom teachers. The Virginia Sea Grant education team took the first step toward accomplishing this goal by launching a Web site of its own, called "Bridge." The name was inspired by the idea of a ship's bridge with a teacher at the helm, navigating "an ocean of marine education data." It also represents a bridge spanning the divide between the education and the ocean research communities, which is the essence of the Bridge project's mission.

In 2001, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Integrated Coastal and Ocean Resources Scientific and Technical Arrangement was signed to pursue scientific and technical cooperation in integrated coastal and ocean resources management in the mutual interest of the participants. Over the last 6 years, the cooperation has been very beneficial, particularly for advancing marine science and management programs in Korea, such as Deep Sea Aquaculture, Sea Grant College Program, Marine Protected Areas, and Ocean Observations. The benefits to NOAA from the cooperation include Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) buoys, ocean and coastal observations, GEOSS program, and Global Program of Action. Also the cooperation has spillover effects on other ocean science and technological arrangement between US and Korea. This article reviews purpose, obstacles, and achievement of the cooperation and suggests recommendations for the future steps.

The IEEE oceanic engineering society (OES) has completed forty years of active engagement: the initial eight years in the form of the oceanography coordinating committee (OCC), followed by seven years as the council of oceanic engineering (COE), then the past twenty-five years in the form of an IEEE society. During those forty years, the OCC/COE/OES has existed to serve society, the profession, the oceanic engineering community, and the professional interests of IEEE members working in oceanic engineering. OES has sponsored a strong set of conferences, including OCEANS, the offshore technology conference (OTC), the Undersea Technology (UT) symposium, the United States/European Union (U.S/EU) Baltic International Symposium series, and a variety of specialty workshops. The OES publishes an influential group of science and technology publications, including its flagship IEEE JOURNAL OF OCEANIC ENGINEERING (JOE), a quarterly newsletter, and a "just-in-time" electronic newsletter. The OES has sought to encourage engineering students to enter the oceanic engineering field through a variety of student-focused activities, including the OCEANS conference student-posters program, human-powered submarine races, the Ocean Science Bowl competitions, and an academic scholarship. Chapters have been established in eight IEEE global regions of the world. These forums and activities have been established and maintained to allow OES members and others in the oceanic engineering community to learn and grow by interacting with each other and sharing their ideas and contributions for solution to technical problems and to the broader challenges of society. As the society has moved through its various eras described later, the OES has invented ways to serve its members and the community at-large and will continue to adapt, innovate, modify, and otherwise support the changing needs of the profession.

The goal of Minority Students Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success (MS PHD'S) in Earth System Science® is to attract, engage, mentor and sustain the involvement of undergraduate and graduate minority students within the Earth system science disciplines. The pilot project for this new initiative, entitled the MSPHD'S in Ocean Sciences Program, provided yearlong opportunities for mentor/mentee engagement via academic, scientific and professional development activities. The 2003–2004 MSPHD'S in Ocean Sciences Program facilitated the involvement of 25 mentor-mentee partnerships during the May 5–8, 2003, Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) Program Open Science Meeting in Washington, D.C. MS PHD'S students received in-depth exposure to leading edge ocean science research, mentoring support from scientists responsible for these advancements, and insight into future marine research initiatives. Evaluation data for this pilot project indicate that virtual and face-to-face mentoring, on-site professional developmen...

Over the past decade, fixed recorders have come into increasing use for long-term sampling of whale calls in remote ocean regions. Concurrently, the development of several types of autonomous underwater vehicles has demonstrated measurement capabilities that promise to revolutionize ocean science. These two lines of technical development were merged with the addition of broadband (5 Hz to 30 kHz) omni-directional hydrophones to seagliders. In August 2006, the capability of three Acoustic Seagliders (ASGs) to detect whale calls was tested in an experiment offshore Monterey, California. In total, 401 dives were completed and over 107 hours of acoustic data recorded. Blue whale calls were detected on all but two of the 76 dives where acoustic data were analyzed in detail, while humpback and sperm whale calls were detected on roughly 20% of those dives. Various whistles, clicks and burst calls, similar to those produced by dolphins and small whales, were also detected, suggesting that the capability of ASGs can be expanded to sample a broad range of marine mammal species. The potential to include whale call detection in the suite of standard oceanographic measures is unprecedented and provides a foundation for mobile sampling strategies at scales that better match the vertical and horizontal movements of the whales themselves. This capability opens new doors for investigation of cetacean habitats and their role in marine ecosystems, as envisioned in future ocean observing systems.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) attract, retain and award science degrees to African Americans at a higher rate than majority institutions. Because they offer life-changing and career-orienting experiences for students, field stations and marine laboratories are well positioned to help increase the number of students opting for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers and ocean science and education careers, in particular. Two kinds of partnerships have developed between Savannah State University (SSU), an HBCU, and marine laboratories as a result of federal funding: a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program between SSU and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, and an internship/graduate program between SSU and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. These collaborations and other funded projects since 1998 have resulted in an increase in the percent of graduates from SSU's Bachelor of Science in Marine Science degree who had a significant r...

Under pressure from these different forces, issues of MSR and marine environmental protection are increasingly intertwined and complex, further influencing the evolving interpretation and implementation of the relevant provisions in the LOSC. This chapter focuses on several issues in which these two regimes interact with each other and with other parts of the LOSC. The chapter begins with an examination of the legal relationship between Part XII on the protection and preservation of the marine environment and Part XIII on MSR. It then turns to an overview of the provisions of Part XIII and current legal developments as they relate to the protection of the marine environment. In particular, this section examines general principles, the implications of the zonal approach for the regulation of MSR under the LOSC, and the provisions on scientific research equipment and installations. Finally, the analysis turns to the issue of legal responsibility for environmental damage from the conduct of MSR and the settlement of disputes. Needless to say, an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues related to the legal relationship between MSR and the protection of the marine environment is beyond the scope of this chapter. Thus, what is presented here is a survey of topical issues intended to stimulate further research and reflection upon the ever-changing legal relationship between ocean science and the safeguarding of the marine environment for present and future generations.

The United States Boy Scouts of America (BSA) programs are designed to cover a range of different youth development activities. Central to the BSA program is the merit badge system. Merit badges provide an opportunity for scouts to learn about a specific topic, which may be focused on a hobby, physical activity, or prospective career field. There are more than 120 different merit badges that any Scout may earn, each with its own set of requirements. BSA introduced an oceanography merit badge in 1964. Very recently, a significant increase in demand for this particular merit badge throughout the Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia was noticed by members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Ocean Service (NOS) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) Atlantic field office in Chesapeake, Virginia. CO-OPS also noted a limited number of opportunities to earn the badge, with some local events being booked beyond several years. In a pursuit to assist with the growing regional demand, a group of scientists, engineers, and marine technicians at the CO-OPS office in Chesapeake gathered to review merit badge requirements and then consulted with several contacts at Old Dominion University (ODU) that has recently been holding several different annual BSA merit badge events, including oceanography. The CO-OPS team designed a one day program that could be held at the Chesapeake field office and could meet all BSA badge requirements. The CO-OPS Chesapeake office is home to over 40 professionals in various fields of ocean science and marine technology and the facility houses a significant amount of oceanographic sensors, instrumentation, and a number of laboratory facilities. The first CO-OPS oceanography merit badge event was conducted during August 2011. Since, it has continued to be held on an annual basis, with five successful events completed to date. All five annual events reached the maximum registration limit of fifty scouts. An overview of the event program that CO-OPS has designed and continued to develop over the past 5 years will be presented along with examples of how interactive exhibits at the field office facility have been used to address BSA oceanography merit badge requirements.

The NOSB is an academic competition to engage students in ocean science as part of an enhanced STEM education. The NOSB consists, annually, of 25 regional competitions and one National Finals Competition. In 2014, 329 teams (approximately 1,645 students) from 34 states and the District of Columbia participated in the regional competitions. Funding provided by this award supported staff planning and team participation in the 2014 National Finals Competition. The Finals were held May 1-4, 2014 in Seattle, WA with a theme of ocean acidification. A longitudinal study and annual surveys demonstrate program impact.

With infrastructure costs eating into research programs at the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences, a new report urges a rebalance of funding and a focus on science priorities.

Global surface warming has slowed since the start of the twenty-first century, while Pacific heat uptake was enhanced. Analyses of ocean heat content suggest that the warm water was transferred to the Indian Ocean, through the Indonesian straits.

Thesis: S.M., Joint Program in Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2015.

Over the past two decades, with recognition that the ocean's sea-ice cover is neither insensitive to climate change nor a barrier to light and matter, research in sea-ice biogeochemistry has accelerated significantly, bringing together a multi-disciplinary community from a variety of fields. This disciplinary diversity has contributed a wide range of methodological techniques and approaches to sea-ice studies, complicating comparisons of the results and the development of conceptual and numerical models to describe the important biogeochemical processes occurring in sea ice. Almost all chemical elements, compounds, and biogeochemical processes relevant to Earth system science are measured in sea ice, with published methods available for determiningbiomass, pigments, net community production, primary production, bacterial activity, macronutrients, numerous natural and anthropogenic organic compounds, trace elements, reactive and inert gases, sulfur species, the carbon dioxide system parameters, stable isotopes, and water-ice-Atmosphere fluxes of gases, liquids, and solids. For most of these measurements, multiple sampling and processing techniques are available, but to date there has been little intercomparison or intercalibration between methods. In addition, researchers collect different types of ancillary data and document their samples differently, further confounding comparisons between studies. These problems are compounded by the heterogeneity of sea ice, in which even adjacent cores can have dramatically different biogeochemical compositions. We recommend that, in future investigations, researchers design their programs based on nested sampling patterns, collect a core suite of ancillary measurements, and employ a standard approach for sample identification and documentation. In addition, intercalibration exercises are most critically needed for measurements of biomass, primary production, nutrients, dissolved and particulate organic matter (including exopolymers), the CO2 system, air-ice gas fluxes, and aerosol production. We also encourage the development of in situ probes robust enough for long-Term deployment in sea ice, particularly for biological parameters, the CO2 system, and other gases., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Thesis: S.M., Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2015.

Thesis: Ph. D., Joint Program in Applied Ocean Science and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2015.

Antarctic and Southern Ocean science is vital to understanding natural variability, the processes that govern global change and the role of humans in the Earth and climate system. The potential for new knowledge to be gained from future Antarctic science is substantial. Therefore, the international Antarctic community came together to ‘scan the horizon’ to identify the highest priority scientific questions that researchers should aspire to answer in the next two decades and beyond. Wide consultation was a fundamental principle for the development of a collective, international view of the most important future directions in Antarctic science. From the many possibilities, the horizon scan identified 80 key scientific questions through structured debate, discussion, revision and voting. Questions were clustered into seven topics: i) Antarctic atmosphere and global connections, ii) Southern Ocean and sea ice in a warming world, iii) ice sheet and sea level, iv) the dynamic Earth, v) life on the precipice, vi) near-Earth space and beyond, and vii) human presence in Antarctica. Answering the questions identified by the horizon scan will require innovative experimental designs, novel applications of technology, invention of next-generation field and laboratory approaches, and expanded observing systems and networks. Unbiased, non-contaminating procedures will be required to retrieve the requisite air, biota, sediment, rock, ice and water samples. Sustained year-round access to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean will be essential to increase winter-time measurements. Improved models are needed that represent Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the Earth System, and provide predictions at spatial and temporal resolutions useful for decision making. A co-ordinated portfolio of cross-disciplinary science, based on new models of international collaboration, will be essential as no scientist, programme or nation can realize these aspirations alone.

This report summarizes goals, activities, and recommendations of a workshop on data assimilation held in Williamsburg, Virginia on September 9-11, 2003, and sponsored by the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) and National Science Foundation (NSF). The overall goal of the workshop was to synthesize research directions for ocean data assimilation (DA) and outline efforts required during the next 10 years and beyond to evolve DA into an integral and sustained component of global, regional, and coastal ocean science and observing and prediction systems. The workshop built on the success of recent and existing DA activities such as those sponsored by the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) and NSF-Information Technology Research (NSF-ITR). DA is a quantitative approach to optimally combine models and observations. The combination is usually consistent with model and data uncertainties, which need to be represented. Ocean DA can extract maximum knowledge from the sparse and expensive measurements of the highly variable ocean dynamics. The ultimate goal is to better understand and predict these dynamics on multiple spatial and temporal scales, including interactions with other components of the climate system.

The ocean attracts and inspires thousands of students every year to pursue degrees in science, engineering, and technology. Yet, in spite of all the attention paid to the oceans, students often lack the information needed to make wise decisions about choosing an ocean-related career. The Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence ? California (COSEE California) and the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center have responded to this problem by developing a user-friendly interactive Web site on ocean careers (www.OceanCareers.com).

Despite our nation's increasing reliance on the ocean environment, students and educators are often unaware of ocean career opportunities and the knowledge and skills required to enter those careers (Sullivan et al., 2006; Sullivan, 2002). A consequence of this lack of awareness is a shortage of skilled individuals who can fill ocean workforce needs (MATE Forum, 1996; Zande & Sullivan, 2003). The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center and the Marine Technology Society's (MTS) ROV Committee created the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) competition to address this issue and bring ocean science and technology to students and educators across the U.S. and Canada. Since 2001, the MATE Center and the ROV Committee have engaged thousands of students and educators from middle schools through universities in developing ROVs for tasks based on real workplace situations. In doing so, the program has promoted ocean issues and careers, connected students and educators with employers and working professionals, and helped students to develop valuable technical, problem solving, and teamwork skills.

The education program of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) has developed and nationally implemented two unique pre-college teacher enhancement programs on the ocean sciences, the Maury Project and DataStreme Ocean. In addition, the AMS has employed the successful DataStreme model to make available to colleges and universities an undergraduate distance-learning course on the fundamentals of oceanography, Online Ocean Studies. The Maury Project, established in 1994, is a partnership with the U.S. Naval Academy and State University of New York (SUNY) at Brockport, with significant support from the U.S. Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The Maury Project trains and equips pre-college teachers to be peer trainers on the physical foundations of selected oceanographic topics. They are initially trained in a two-week workshop hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy. Subsequently, participating teachers present training sessions for other teachers with materials prepared by the Project. To date, approximately 300 educators have attended the workshop and tens of thousands of teachers have been peer trained. In 2003, with the goal of reaching a larger audience of pre-college teachers, the AMS in partnership with NOAA and SUNY Brockport initiated DataStreme Ocean. DataStreme Ocean is a semester-long distance-learning course on the basic understandings of oceanography and partially delivered via the Internet. Maury Project alumni work with local university and government laboratory scientists to mentor DataStreme Ocean participants. By fall 2005, over 600 teachers had been enrolled in DataStreme Ocean. Online Ocean Studies is a distance-learning introductory college-level course on the basic understandings of oceanography developed by the AMS in cooperation with NOAA. This semester-length course explores the ocean in the Earth system via investigations keyed to near real-time environmental data derived from ocean and coastal observing systems. Online Ocean Studies is a turnkey package (Web site, customized textbook, investigations manual, and secure faculty Web page) licensed from AMS and adaptable to both traditional lecture/laboratory and totally online local instruction. The AMS piloted Online Ocean Studies during spring 2005 with eleven participating colleges and universities. National implementation took place in fall 2005. Recently, the AMS embarked on a National Science Foundation-funded initiative to facilitate adoption of Online Ocean Studies by minority-serving institutions. The goal is to spur minority student interest in the geosciences.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is launching an Ocean Science Initiative (OSI), which includes an Ocean Web Portal, a Center for Ocean Science, and its centerpiece—the nation's largest permanent Ocean Hall exhibit to open in the fall of 2008. NMNH is the most visited natural history museum in the world. Its dynamic team of research and exhibit staff, and unparalleled collections, in combination with NOAA's knowledge and expertise in ocean science, provides the opportunity to develop a truly unique exhibit, Web portal and other supporting educational programs. This paper focuses on the partnership, the Hall, its development process, and evolving education and Web portal plans.

Over 300 natural scientists in 53 nations are taking part in the Census of Marine Life (CoML) to investigate what lived, what lives, and what will live in the oceans. The CoML is a scientific experiment that is exploring the limits of ocean science. The paper discusses the potential applications of CoML research and the mechanisms by which the potential benefits can be measured and preserved. I recommend developing and integrating policy advisory committees with the natural science activities to both maximize the benefits of the research and to avoid unintended consequences.

The global ocean is an integrated living system where energy and matter transformations are governed by interdependent physical, chemical and biotic processes. Although the fundamentals of ocean physics and chemistry are well established, comprehensive approaches to describing and interpreting oceanic microbial diversity and processes are only now emerging. In particular, the application of genomics to problems in microbial oceanography is significantly expanding our understanding of marine microbial evolution, metabolism and ecology. Integration of these new genome-enabled insights into the broader framework of ocean science represents one of the great contemporary challenges for microbial oceanographers.