NERC in the news

Climate 'fix' could poison sea life

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:20:58 GMT

Fertilising the oceans with iron to absorb carbon dioxide could increase concentrations of a chemical that can kill marine mammals, a study has found.

Associated links
BBC

Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 Explorers Begin Sea Ice Mission

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:02:01 GMT

A team of veteran polar explorers on Sunday began a 500-kilometer [312 mile] trek across the floating sea ice of the Arctic Ocean as part of the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010, an international scientific mission to learn how increased carbon emissions could be affecting the seawater of the Ocean. This is the second year that the Bermuda-based (although headquartered in London) insurance group has sponsored the Arctic Survey.

Associated links
Insurance Journal

Weymouth ridgeway skeletons 'Scandinavian Vikings'

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:17:29 GMT

Fifty-one decapitated skeletons found in a burial pit in Dorset were those of Scandinavian Vikings, scientists say. Analysis of teeth from 10 of the men revealed they had grown up in countries with a colder climate than Britain's.

Associated links
BBC
CNN.com
This Is Dorset

Mother Birds Know Best -- Even Before Birth

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:43:19 GMT

Mother birds communicate with their developing chicks before they even hatch by leaving them messages in the egg, new research by a team from the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, has found.

Associated links
Science Daily
Yahoo News

500 species of plants and animals vanish because of humans, says study

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:06:16 GMT

Nearly 500 species of plants and animals have disappeared in England in the past 200 years, according to the first comprehensive audit of native wildlife.

Associated links
The Times

Losing Nemo: Is there time to save the seas?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:05:08 GMT

The waters of the Arctic are changing faster than anywhere else on the planet. Glaciers are melting ever quicker and the sea ice is retreating, but these are only the physical effects of the fumes pouring from humanity¿s smokestack. Our emissions are shifting the ocean¿s chemistry too, and the combination is shaking the very foundations of its biology.

Associated links
The Times

3D Laser Mapping Etnas Lava Flows

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:24:06 GMT

3D Laser Mapping has supplied a long range laser scanner to monitor volcanic lava flows on Mount Etna in Sicily. The scanner will be used to measure lava flow dynamics as part of a NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) funded research project at the Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK.

Associated links
Directions Mag.com

Deep sedimentation of acantharian cysts -- a reproductive strategy?

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:06:35 GMT

Spore-like reproductive cysts of enigmatic organisms called acantharians rapidly sink from surface waters to the deep ocean in certain regions, according to new research. Scientists suspect that this is part of an extraordinary reproductive strategy, which allows juveniles to exploit a seasonal food bonanza.

Associated links
PhysOrg.com

Strong earthquake slams eastern Turkey

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:39:10 GMT

The earthquake surprised many residents as they slept, crumpling buildings into piles of rubble. Panicked survivors fled into narrow village streets, some climbing out of windows, as nearly 80 aftershocks measuring up to 5.5 and 5.3 magnitude rattled the region.

Associated links
The Daily Star

Rogue Waves Wreak Havoc on the High Seas

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:27:12 GMT

Known as rogue or freak waves, these towering walls of water are simply called monsters of the sea by some people. No matter what they are called, these oversized swells can appear suddenly on the open water and can be large enough to overwhelm even the biggest of ships, according to experts.

Associated links
Red Orbit
Wired.com
Yahoo