The atmosphere is primarily comprised of nitrogen and oxygen. Understanding the remaining compounds and gasses, including greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, is critical for addressing air quality concerns. GSO atmospheric chemists utilize airplane-based sensors to measure these minor components as key inputs to transport models defining the residence time (length of time […]
Continue reading "Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions"Elemental or isotopic tracers reveal geochemical processes of many elements in the ocean. At GSO, measurements of naturally-occurring and bomb-generated radioactive isotopes of Uranium, Thorium and Protactinium in seawater help define processes responsible for the chemistry of seawater and the fate of insoluble and slightly soluble metals in the ocean. Carbon is intimately tied to […]
Continue reading "Ocean Chemistry"GSO scientists characterize the genetic diversity and distribution of planktonic populations globally over time, space, and in different marine ecosystems. This provides an understanding of basic processes of speciation, selection, and adaption, and how plankton respond to their environments. Examining physical influences on phytoplankton form and function shows how small-scale turbulence affects cell and colony […]
Continue reading "Microbial and Planktonic Diversity"GSO researchers study interactions among phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish to develop an understanding of how energy is transferred and how carbon is exported in polar, temperate, and tropical ecosystems, both coastal and oceanic. By examining the importance of ice algae in Arctic copepod diets and the feeding behavior of Antarctic krill, scientists decipher how the […]
Continue reading "Food Web Dynamics"Humans influence the marine nitrogen cycle through their additions of nitrogen to the coastal environment, mostly from agricultural fertilizers and waste treatment facilities, leading to eutrophication and oxygen depletion. With novel isotopic tools, GSO researchers follow the movement of nitrogen through marine waters, helping guide intelligent wastewater management policies. How do estuaries respond to changes […]
Continue reading "Monitoring and Water Quality"The recently-completed Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP) brought together talented GSO/URI oceanographers and writers to produce a science-based management and regulatory plan to help stakeholders, managers, and policy makers make wise use of the Rhode Island’s offshore waters (RI Sound, Block Island Sound, and the associated continental shelf region of the Atlantic Ocean). […]
Continue reading "Science for Coastal Management"As is common practice for researchers around the world, URI GSO faculty and students share the results of their research with fellow scientists and society by publishing in refereed scientific journals. With so many people conducting so much research, it can be difficult to keep track of recently published articles. Fortunately, the URI University Libraries maintain a list of works published by GSO faculty and students at this link.
Continue reading "Recent Faculty Publications"URI GSO Associate Professor of Oceanography Rebecca Robinson has been named a Consortium for Ocean Leadership Distinguished Lecturer for 2012-2013.
Continue reading "Robinson Named Distinguished Lecturer"