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OUR OCEAN. OUR PLANET. OUR FUTURE.®

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education. We combine state-of-the-art science, engineering, and ship operations to unravel the mysteries of the deep and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.

What happens to #seaweed when it sinks? A new #WHOI-led and @nsfgov-funded study found that #sargassum is becoming a food source for #deepsea #isopods! The rarely-seen crustacean's snack of choice can tell us a lot about their role in easing climate change (and stinky beaches)– and even more about how they’ve adapted over time. ⁠
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📲Dive into the @miamiherald story at the 🔗 in our profile!⁠
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📸: A close-up image of an isopod enjoying sargassum. Credit: @the_hentzoriginal ©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Wait... that's not ALVIN!⁠
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#Throwback to December 11, 1968, when the crewed submersible SEA CLIFF (DSV-4) was christened by General Dynamics Corporation for @usnavy⁠
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Using a personnel sphere originally fabricated for the #Alvin submersible, SEA CLIFF was built after ALVIN proved its value to the oceanographic community in the early 60s. Its original maximum dive depth of 6,500 feet (2,000 m ) increased to 20,000 ft (6,100 m) in 1981, when it was refitted with a titanium sphere.⁠
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In 1998, the Navy gave the vehicle to #WHOI for possible use in conjunction with Alvin and for engineering purposes.⁠
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📸 courtesy of WHOI Archives⁠
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🤔Could increasing the ocean's alkalinity help it take up more CO2 from the atmosphere? And even if so, is it safe and effective?⁠
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#WHOI scientist Adam Subhas, who is leading an investigation into these questions, shared his research goals during the recent @bostonglobe Summit.⁠
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📲 Watch the rest of the discussion at the 🔗 in bio!⁠
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#oceanclimatesolutions #mCDR #marinecarbondioxideremoval #oceanalkalinity
🤔 Why did 6 communities experience record-breaking storm surge during #HurricaneHelene's rampage across Florida's #GulfCoast? ⁠
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As #WHOI physical oceanographer Chris Piecuch explains in @washingtonpost, the area has "seen anywhere from 9-10 or 12 inches of sea level rise over past the past century. If the same storm had hit two decades ago, there would have been a considerably lower water level there.” ⁠
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📲 Get the full story at the 🔗 in our profile!⁠
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📸: A storm surge hits Gulfport, FL as Hurricane Helene passed through the Gulf of Mexico © Thomas Simonetti for The Washington Post
🎉Please join us in celebrating today’s announcement from @macfound that Benjamin Van Mooy, a #WHOI senior scientist + Interim Vice President for Science and Engineering, has been awarded a prestigious #MacArthur Fellowship, informally known as a #geniusgrant. ⁠
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According to the MacArthur team, “Van Mooy is filling critical gaps in our understanding of intricate biogeochemical networks that sustain life on Earth and of how climate change could impact the health and productivity of our oceans.” ⁠
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In a statement, Van Mooy expressed “extreme gratitude for all the folks that have touched my life, particularly the WHOI technical staff members, postdocs, and graduate students that have made my lab group a place to explore creative ideas about how the ocean works.”⁠
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📲Learn more about Van Mooy's research + impact at the 🔗 in our profile!

OUR WORK

WHOI is at the forefront of groundbreaking science and technology development, unlocking the mysteries of our ocean, its connections to life on Earth, and solutions it may hold to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.

Our scientists and engineers lead more than 800 concurrent projects, tackling some of the most challenging and important problems of our time, from climate change and ocean pollution to sustainable food and energy production.

We operate a fleet of research vessels and vehicles, including two large ships (R/V Neil Armstrong and R/V Atlantis), a smaller coastal research vessel, the iconic human-occupied submersible Alvin, and dozens of other underwater robots.

Through our higher education programs, including the prestigious MIT-WHOI Joint Program, we train new generations of ocean scientists, engineers, and leaders-providing access to cutting edge facilities and unparalleled access to the sea.

WHOI plays a leading role in ocean communications, sharing our insights and knowledge about the ocean to the general public, policymakers, educators, and more, so we can make wise decisions about our ocean, our planet, and our future.

KNOW YOUR OCEAN

The ocean covers more than 2/3 of Earth's surface and is a fundamental reason why life exists on Earth-but yet many know so little about it. Dive in to learn more about our ocean planet.

EXPLORE WITH US

For nearly a century, WHOI has been one of the best known and most trusted names in ocean science and exploration. Become a part of the research that shapes our understanding of the ocean, our planet, and life on Earth.