Island rivers carve passageways through coral reefs
Research shows these channels allow seawater and nutrients to flow in and out, helping to maintain reef health over millions of years.
Imaging technique removes the effect of water in underwater scenes
The color-correcting tool, known as “SeaSplat,” reveals more realistic colors of underwater features.
Study: Burning heavy fuel oil with scrubbers is the best available option for bulk maritime shipping
Researchers analyzed the full lifecycle of several fuel options and found this approach has a comparable environmental impact, overall, to burning low-sulfur fuels.
Seeking climate connections among the oceans’ smallest organisms
MIT oceanographer and biogeochemist Andrew Babbin has voyaged around the globe to investigate marine microbes and their influence on ocean health.
An abundant phytoplankton feeds a global network of marine microbes
New findings illuminate how Prochlorococcus’ nightly “cross-feeding” plays a role in regulating the ocean’s capacity to cycle and store carbon.
Oceanographers record the largest predation event ever observed in the ocean
The scientists’ wide-scale acoustic mapping technique could help track vulnerable keystone species.
Study: Weaker ocean circulation could enhance CO2 buildup in the atmosphere
New findings challenge current thinking on the ocean’s role in storing carbon.
Artificial reef designed by MIT engineers could protect marine life, reduce storm damage
The sustainable and cost-saving structure could dissipate more than 95 percent of incoming wave energy using a small fraction of the material normally needed.
Device offers long-distance, low-power underwater communication
The system could be used for battery-free underwater communication across kilometer-scale distances, to aid monitoring of climate and coastal change.
Dreaming of waves
Stefan Helmreich’s new book examines the many facets of oceanic wave science and the propagation of wave theory into other areas of life.
Study: The ocean’s color is changing as a consequence of climate change
The color changes reflect significant shifts in essential marine ecosystems.
A better way to study ocean currents
A new machine-learning model makes more accurate predictions about ocean currents, which could help with tracking plastic pollution and oil spills, and aid in search and rescue.
Like ancient mariners, ancestors of Prochlorococcus microbes rode out to sea on exoskeleton particles
A new study shows the carbon-capturing phytoplankton colonized the ocean by rafting on particles of chitin.
How to pull carbon dioxide out of seawater
A new method for removing the greenhouse gas from the ocean could be far more efficient than existing systems for removing it from the air.
Featured video: Investigating our blue ocean planet
Since 1968, the MIT-WHOI Joint Program has provided research and educational opportunities for PhD students seeking to explore the marine world.