[SEMCO] Science Made Public Lecture Series July 2013

[Kathy Patterson]

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Science Made Public Lecture Series


During July and August, the Ocean Science  Exhibit Center and 
Information Office are sponsoring a series of public talks by WHOI 
scientists and engineers. Designed for a lay audience, this series is a 
great opportunity to learn more about WHOI science. Everyone is welcome 
to attend.

All talks are held on Tuesdays at 3:00 at the WHOI Ocean Science Exhibit 
Center Auditorium, 15 School Street 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=45+Water+Street,+Woods+Hole,+MA&sll=41.523094,-70.669341&sspn=0.004161,0.00928&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=15+School+St,+Woods+Hole,+Barnstable,+Massachusetts+02543&ll=41.524098,-70.669599&spn=0.008723,0.018561&z=16%27>, 
Woods Hole. (unless otherwise noted)

Link: http://www.whoi.edu/main/smp-2013-talks

*July 9 - Rapid climate change: Impacts from sea-ice to penguins*

*Scott Doney, Senior Scientist, Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry*

The Antarctic Peninsula is among the most rapidly warming regions on 
Earth. Over the past 50 years, the warm, moist maritime climate of the 
northern Peninsula has been migrating south, displacing the once 
dominant cold, dry continental Antarctic climate. Environmental 
responses to the regional warming include less sea-ice, declines in 
ice-dependent Adéle penguins, increases in ice-tolerant Gentoo and 
Chinstrap penguins, and changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton 
communities. Learn how scientists can use these research observations to 
monitor the ecosystem's response to climate change.

*July 16 - Phytoplankton in a changing climate*

*Kate Mackey, Postdoctoral Fellow, Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry*

Using sunlight to grow, phytoplankton make half the oxygen we breathe 
and form the base of the marine food web. Global change presents 
challenges, like ocean acidification and sea temperature rise, that 
affect how phytoplankton grow and do photosynthesis. Come learn about 
some of the special photosynthetic strategies phytoplankton use, and 
consider how global change could affect their growth and distributions 
in the future.

*July 23 - Lights, Camera, Action: When Zooplankton are the star of the 
show*

*Melissa Patrician, Research Assistant, Biology*

Zooplankton are small floating or weakly swimming animals that drift 
with water currents and make up a significant part of the food supply on 
which fish, sea birds, and marine mammals ultimately depend. They are an 
important component of the marine ecosystem, yet they can be difficult 
to study because they exist in patches throughout the ocean and the 
patches are always moving and changing.  Now, with the help of an 
underwater video microscope or Video Plankton Recorder, ocean 
researchers can continuously record the location and density of 
zooplankton in the field, and ultimately gain a better understanding of 
ocean ecosystems.

*July 30 - Corals and their Bacterial Buddies*

*Amy Apprill, Assistant Scientist, Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry*

Scientists have long known that reef-building corals have a mutually 
beneficial relationship with photosynthetic algae living within them. 
The algae provide corals with the byproducts of photosynthesis, enabling 
them to survive in the nutrient-poor waters of coral reef ecosystems. 
But recent research suggests that corals also depend on bacteria for 
their survival.  Learn more about corals' microscopic buddies and the 
research scientists are conducting on reefs in the United States, Red 
Sea and Micronesia to understand bacteria's contribution to coral 
health. Scientists will also share some 3-D video that will take you on 
a virtual journey through some of the world's most pristine and stunning 
reefs.



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