Multimedia

Titanic debris-field

June 22, 2024

First map of Titanic shipwreck debris field, provides a detailed layout of the scattered remains, seafloor/ocean characteristics and existing photographs.

Biomass of mesopelagic organisms in Ocean Twilight Zone (OTZ)

The ocean twilight zone hosts Earth’s largest animal migration and plays a key role in the climate by helping move carbon from the surface to the deep sea.

Carbon drawn into the ocean by plankton sinks and dissipates with depth

Only a small fraction of the carbon drawn into the ocean by plankton blooms makes it into the depths where it no longer can be exchanged with the atmosphere.

Carbon emissions projection featuring possible reduction methods called "wedges"

Without climate action, emissions will keep rising. To close the gap, multiple solutions—including ocean iron—may be needed to reach carbon reduction targets.

Carbon without Borders, conventional vs sustainable farming

This illustration shows the difference between conventional and sustainable farming on land, and how that affects carbon and pH levels in the ocean.

Carbon-14 natural cycle

An illustration showing the natural carbon-14 cycle through the atmosphere, land and ocean.

Chemical process by which phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms grown

Phytoplankton thrive where sunlight and nutrients overlap—often just below the surface—creating a “sweet spot” for growth that fuels ocean life and ecosystems.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning cycle

Ciquatera fish poisoning, caused by toxins made by phytoplankton, can cause several gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms in people.

CO Solubility Pump

Cold seawater absorbs CO? from the atmosphere, which sinks to the deep ocean via circulation, storing carbon long-term in the solubility pump process.

Comparing carbon loss considering different sunlight penetration depths

Global maps of ocean carbon estimates highlighting the need to account for sunlight (Buesseler et al., 2020).

Comparison of oil dispersant effectiveness in different weather

Sunlight changes oil chemistry on the ocean surface, reducing dispersant effectiveness by limiting how well surfactants break oil into small droplets.

Comparison of radioactivity sources in the ocean

The background level of radiation in the ocean varies around the globe. The primary source has been nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific Ocean.

Transport of microplastics in the North Atlantic

Global maps illustrating how microplastics may travel through the North Atlantic and Arctic, based on global transport simulations.

Conceptual cross-section view of Yellowstone Lake geothermal dynamics

Yellowstone’s colorful pools and geysers are surface features of a vast geothermal system that stretches beneath the northern half of Yellowstone Lake.

Configuration of tsunami warning pressure sensor system

Tsunami pressure sensors send underwater sound signals that bounce off warm surface layers to relay stations, triggering alerts sent to officials on shore.

Coral reef deterioration stages

Healthy corals support healthy marine ecosystems, but corals are in crisis on many fronts.

Cross-section of an anticyclonic eddy, warm core ring used for food sourcing

White sharks use warm, swirling anticyclonic eddies from the Gulf Stream to dive deeper and hunt efficiently in the ocean twilight zone, saving energy.

Current vortices peeling off cylinders

Fluid usually doesn’t flow smoothly around cylindrical objects. Instead, the flow breaks away from the object into vortices, similar to those made by fish.

Greenland circulation

Map illustrating North Atlantic currents flowing into two Greenland fjords, combined with seafloor bathymetry.

Cities and sea level impact

2013 map highlighting 20 cities projected to be at risk due to sea level rise.

Acoustic Sensing Cube in the Ocean Twilight Zone

An ocean network could provide a comprehensive view of the twilight zone, or mesopelagic, using several different technologies including moored buoys equipped with acoustic survey systems