Tracking CO2 -- Biogeochemists Map Out Carbon Dioxide Emissions In The U.S.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/1209-tracking_co2.htm

ScienceDaily () -- Biogeochemists located where the most carbon dioxide emissions occur in the U.S. using a new mapping system. With this program-available to anyone on the Web-researchers were able to extract information about carbon dioxide emissions by transforming data on local air pollution and combining it with geographic information systems (GIS) data to layer the emissions onto infrastructures at the Earth's surface. The map helps us learn more about carbon emissions and gives scientists a way to check the accuracy of satellite images.

Oil spill puts commercially significant cold-water reefs in peril

ScienceDaily (2010-06-06) -- Thousands of barrels of oil are leaking out of the Deepwater Horizon site each day. The oil ascends from depths of approximately 1502 m. (4928 ft.), but not all of it reaches the sea surface. The stratified seawater of the Gulf of Mexico captures or slows the ascent of the oil, and the addition of dispersants near the oil source produces tiny droplets that float for a considerable time in the water column and may never reach the surface. According to a group of Florida researchers, the oil that remains in suspension in the water column and creates plumes poses a serious risk for the planktonic and benthic (sea floor) life throughout the region, including the deep-sea reefs they study.

Distressed damsels stress coral reefs

Threespot damselfish (Stegastes planifrons) in the Caribbean Sea. (Credit: Dr. Dwayne Meadows, NOAA/NMFS/OPR / Courtesy of NOAA Photo Library)

ScienceDaily (2010-05-26) -- Damselfish are killing head corals and adding stress to Caribbean coral reefs, which are already in desperately poor condition from global climate change, coral diseases, hurricanes, pollution, and overfishing. Restoring threatened staghorn coral, the damsels' favorite homestead, will take the pressure off the other corals, according to a new study.