Tiny plankton make a big impact on Earth’s climate 💫 The ocean and its inhabitants play an important role in Earth’s climate. Plankton at the ocean’s surface transform carbon dioxide into organic material. When these tiny organisms get eaten, poop, and eventually die, they lock away carbon in the deep sea. Scientists have studied the exchange of carbon at the surface and on the abyssal seafloor, but we still have a lot of questions about what happens when organic material passes through the ocean’s twilight zone. Understanding this carbon calculus will help researchers accurately model our changing climate. Natalia Llopis Monferrer—a Sorbonne University Marie Sklodowska Curie postdoctoral fellow at MBARI—studies deep-sea plankton, especially the organisms with glass skeletons, like diatoms and rhizarians. Dead diatoms are providing clues to hidden pathways for transporting carbon in the Southern Ocean. In a new opinion piece, Llopis Monferrer shares what we can learn from diatoms: https://lnkd.in/gaUcUunc 

MBARI is privileged to work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to advance our science, engineering, education, and outreach efforts. We’ve introduced millions of people to life in the largest living space on Earth. Together, we’re highlighting our close connection to the ocean and inspiring stewardship of marine life, environments, and resources.

MBARI’s Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) is changing how we study rivers, lakes, and our ocean. Equipped with advanced biological sensors and eDNA technology, the ESP delivers real-time data, detects harmful organisms, and assesses water quality—autonomously. Whether monitoring a specific location or deployed on autonomous robots that travel far and wide, this cutting-edge “lab in a can” allows scientists and resource managers to explore remote areas, helping safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem health. Check out the link in our bio to learn how MBARI and our collaborators used ESP tech in 2024! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPTadb9M #oceantech #technology #tech #eDNA #oceanhealth #oceanscience #oceanengineering #engineering #mbari

Some of our favorite deep-sea moments of the year—in stunning 4K 📹 🤩 From undulating worms and pulsing jellies to vibrant corals and wide-eyed fishes, dive in with us to see some of the most spectacular moments captured by MBARI’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Ventana in stunning ultra high-definition 4K. These fascinating finds underscore the dazzling diversity of life in the deep. MBARI’s continued development of innovative ocean technology allows our researchers to explore the largest and least explored habitat on the planet—the deep sea. Our work is revealing our close connection to the ocean. We hope the imagery and data that we collect can guide resource managers and policymakers in their decision-making about the ocean and inspire the public to speak up for protecting marine life and the ecosystems they call home. We invite everyone to join us on this journey of exploration, science, and stewardship. The YouTube description contains chapter markers with all of the species and depth information for each clip. Be sure to choose 4K in the YouTube settings! WATCH: https://lnkd.in/eRdET_MD

🌊 I just published an article on WILDLABS Community about #FathomVerse—an innovative mobile game that transforms your screen time into an exciting adventure of ocean exploration and discovery. Check it out and see how you can game for the good of our ocean! 🎮🦀 https://lnkd.in/gdv432tn

MBARI researchers are using seismology to track sedimentary flows in the Monterey Canyon. 🌊 A six-month experiment called Seismosands is exploring the use of seismology to detect and better understand submarine sedimentary flows in Monterey Canyon. MBARI is working with other institutions on this project, including Durham University, the National Oceanographic Centre Southampton, Newcastle University, GEOMAR, the University of Goettingen, the UC Berkeley Seismology Lab, and the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca. The experiment began last month with high-resolution seafloor mapping surveys of Monterey Canyon, conducted using multibeam echosounders deployed from autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and the R/V Paragon. Similar surveys will be conducted once a month to quantify changes in the canyon's shape following sedimentary flows. Last week, the team successfully deployed two instrumented moorings and eleven Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) from the R/V Rachel Carson. They will return between February and April 2025 to recover the instruments. We'll keep you up-to-date with more exciting Seismosands news, so stay tuned!

MBARI researchers have discovered a remarkable new species of sea slug that lives in the deep sea. 🤩 Bathydevius caudactylus swims through the ocean’s midnight zone and lights up with brilliant bioluminescence. With a voluminous hooded structure at one end, a flat tail fringed with numerous finger-like projections at the other, and colorful internal organs in between, the team initially struggled to place this animal in a group. Because the animal also had a foot like a snail, they nicknamed this the “mystery mollusc.” The team first observed the mystery mollusc in February 2000 during a dive with the institute’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Tiburon offshore of Monterey Bay at 2,614 meters (8,576 feet) deep. They leveraged MBARI’s advanced and innovative underwater technology to gather extensive natural history information about the mystery mollusc. After reviewing more than 150 sightings from MBARI’s ROVs over the past 20 years, they published a detailed description of this animal. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gaxFzC3q

FathomVerse won silver at the International Serious Play Awards! 🎮🎉 The Serious Play Conference brings together professionals who are exploring the use of game-based learning, sharing their experiences, and working together to shape the future of training and education. It’s an honor to be recognized alongside such innovative and impactful games. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/egaMdz9N &ranj MBARI NOAA Ocean Exploration Schmidt Ocean Institute Schmidt Marine Technology Partners #FathomVerse

Have a passion for payroll AND the ocean? We've got a new Payroll Specialist role open - see our website to apply! #oceanresearch #accounting #payroll https://lnkd.in/gWwJpGWq

Making waves for ocean science and conservation 🌊 MBARI and the Monterey Bay Aquarium share a passion for the ocean and a rich history of collaboration. MBARI is the Aquarium’s research and technology partner, and the Aquarium is MBARI’s education and conservation partner. Together, our two institutions are introducing audiences around the world to the denizens of the deep. Behind the scenes, we’re also providing the information and tools that individuals, communities, and policymakers need to manage and protect marine life and habitats. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gmvX9MRA