Schmidt Ocean Institute

?? A crabby sense of humor. ?? Two crabs walk into a restaurant. One asks, “Do you make crab cakes?” The puzzled maitre d' answers, “Why yes, we do!” “Good,” says the crab, pointing to his friend. “Because it’s his birthday!” ?? While these lithode crabs probably aren’t planning a party, ROV SuBastian pilots caught them in close contact on dive 793 during the #AntarcticClimateConnections expedition. An international science team just spent almost a month exploring and studying the intricate ecosystems living at the interface between ice and sea. Their research will provide critical insights into the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet, affiliated deep-sea ecosystems, and how these systems will be impacted by climate change.

Some of us are solitary beings. Many cnidarians — a class of invertebrates that includes corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish — are colonial organisms with each individual part performing a specific role, such as feeding or reproduction. But some animals are quite happy living independently, like this cup coral, which was observed during the #AntarcticClimateConnections expedition. Researchers spent nearly a month documenting the animals living in this isolated region. Data from this expedition will provide critical insights into the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet, affiliated deep-sea ecosystems, and how these systems will be impacted by climate change. Did you know that marine invertebrates produce more antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory substances than any group of terrestrial organisms? While most medications come from nature (moldy bread led to the discovery of penicillin), scientists are looking to the sea for some of the next significant medical breakthroughs. According to NOAA, there’s a substance (called Discodermalide) extracted from deep-sea sponges that fights tumors, and another (called Ecteinascidin), which comes from tunicates and fights some forms of ovarian and breast cancers. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dyZHvC_k

Pardon the interruption! Researchers came across this squid mid-meal. After collecting this footage, the ROV pilots moved on, leaving the colorful cephalopod alone to finish up. We couldn’t get enough of this animal’s beautiful display. Squid and other cephalopods are one of a few species that can change the color of their skin in an instant using organs called chromatophores. “The center of each chromatophore contains an elastic sac full of pigment, rather like a tiny balloon, which may be colored black, brown, orange, red or yellow,” According to the Smithsonian. “If you stretched a dye-filled balloon, the color would gather in one spot, stretching out the surface and making the color appear brighter—and this is the same way chromatophores work.” (https://lnkd.in/dQyYNBsq) This brilliant adaptation allows some animals to hide in plain sight or put on a showy display to warn predators to back off. This observation took place during the #AntarcticClimateConnections expedition, where an international team collected data that will provide critical insights into the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet, affiliated deep-sea ecosystems, and how these systems will be impacted by receding sea ice and a warming planet.

#SciArtFriday ~ A beautiful yet scientifically accurate illustration depicts the diverse life found on a little-known seamount in the central Pacific. Schmidt Ocean Institute #ArtistAtSea Constance Sartor worked with researchers from Boston University from the R/V Falkor (too) to help bring this hidden underwater feature to life. Read the full story in BBC Wildlife Magazine: https://lnkd.in/e3zUYR9u

Such shellfish behavior! Amphipods, like the ones in this footage from ROV SuBastian, comprise an order of crustacea, shrimp-like in form. They are an interesting and convenient animal to study. Patricia Esquete is a benthic ecologist and taxonomist, and she served as the co-chief scientist for the #AntarcticClimateConnections expedition; she is focused on amphipods biodiversity, abundance, and lifestyles. “Amphipods are a very diversified group, with species adapted to very different environments, conditions, and with a great variety of lifestyles,” she explained. “It was remarkable that we found several different species sharing the same habitat — living on the same large sponge or a coral, or hanging on the same wall looking for prey.” For Esquete, that is a sign of a diverse, well-established ecosystem, and it was interesting to see that behavior in an area previously under an ice shelf. During this research cruise, an international science team created the first high-resolution maps of the region and studied the animals that dwell in the here. Understanding the lives of animals and organisms has important implications for conservation — when a population is isolated, the risk of extinction grows dramatically. Few places on Earth are as isolated as the seafloor in Antarctica.

#TechTuesday ~ The Open Sea Lab 4.0 Hackathon brings together data scientists, software developers, social innovators, and changemakers from across Europe and beyond to address critical ocean challenges. Participants will use EMODnet’s in situ marine data and Copernicus Marine Service data on the European Digital Twin Ocean platform to develop innovative solutions supporting the EU Green Deal, the EU Mission: Restore Our Ocean and Waters, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn more: https://opensealab.eu/

New 4K highlight video ~ The chilling climate, fierce currents, and frigid waters have isolated Antarctica and its ecosystems for millions of years. During the #AntarcticClimateConnections expedition, led by Drs. Patricia Esquete from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, and Aleksandr Montelli from the University College London, UK, researchers examined methane seeps, submarine canyons carved by glaciers, and biodiversity. They also had the incredible opportunity to explore an area of seabed recently covered by the ice shelf — observing a place no human has ever seen. This international team of scientists created the first high-resolution maps of the area and studied the animals that dwell here. Their research will provide critical insights into the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet, affiliated deep-sea ecosystems, and how these systems will be impacted by receding sea ice and a warming planet. FULL 4K VIDEO LINK: https://lnkd.in/ebprsXBi

A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, released on Feb. 20, highlights the need for major investments in core ocean science research and infrastructure upgrades to support both basic and applied studies. The research is needed to understand how greater access to the Arctic will challenge U.S. national security, how changes in the health of ocean ecosystems could affect fisheries, and how the ocean contributes to extreme weather events. Schmidt Ocean Institute Research Portfolio Senior Manager Allison Miller served on the committee that drafted the report. They were tasked with developing a compelling research and infrastructure strategy to advance understanding of the Ocean’s role in Earth systems and a sustainable blue economy for the U.S. Read the press release and full report here: https://lnkd.in/eTT8dgqt

Meet Elvis! During the #AntarcticClimateConnections expedition, this icefish, suspected to be a Pagetopsis macropterus, was a favorite for the crew and science team, who nicknamed the fancy-finned animal after the famous American “King of Rock and Roll.” Antarctica and its ecosystems have long been thought to be cut off from the rest of the world. In addition to the freezing temperatures, the world's largest and fastest ocean current is circling the 7th continent at an estimated rate of 100 to 150 million cubic meters per second, creating a natural barrier that prevents many animals, especially weak swimmers, from crossing it. Many species in the Southern Ocean are found nowhere else — creatures like Elvis. If you live in these isolated and icy depths, certain adaptations might make life a little easier. According to Ichthyologist and Curator of Fishes at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongaewa Thom Linley, Pagetopsis macropterus, also known as crocodile icefish, are the only vertebrates without hemoglobin, the protein contained in red blood cells that is responsible for the delivery of oxygen to tissues. Their blood is like watery milk; oxygen dissolves directly in their blood plasma. Icefish also have specialized blood proteins that act like antifreeze, and they intake oxygen through their enlarged gills and smooth skin. With a larger volume of blood, their heart pumps more quickly than most fish. They are active and capable of bursts of speed when startled. With all these wild traits, we can see why the expedition team can’t help falling in love with Elvis! (While he was on the R/V Falkor (too), Thom chatted about Antarctic fish in this episode of The Deep-Sea Podcast: https://lnkd.in/eypj8mSz)

I am honored to have served on this Decadal Study of Ocean Sciences Committee! Check out the report, calling for strengthening ocean research and forecasting, which requires a strong U.S. workforce and robust ocean infrastructure.