Marine Biology

I was reading in this article that some new fish were found. In the deep waters of Greenland scientists have recently found 38 new species of fish. All these fish were discovered on the first exploration of the waters since 1992. The angler fish used to be a stranger to the waters of Greenland, until now. The scientist’s thought that global climate change could be playing a role in the sudden appearance. 10 of the fish that were new to Greenland are new to the knowledge of scientist’s too.

Why do you think all these fish have suddenly converged in the waters of Greenland?

Why do you think that there were 10 NEW species of fish found that we have never seen before?

In this article I read, it said that there was an oil spill in the Po River in Italy. The cause of this spill is said to be intentional, not an accident. Quoted from the article “Milan regional officials said the cause was certainly sabotage at a former refinery turned oil depot, since the cisterns were opened and the oil allowed to flow unimpeded into the Lambro River near Monza.” Representatives believe that about 660,000 gallons of oil was spilled.

Lots of wildlife is in danger since it is loaded with animal life. But it is said that the Po River had been polluted by years of industrial runoff way before the spill. The WWF said the animals that were at the most risk were fish, wild ducks and herons, which were starting to nest along the Po. Those responsible for this ecological disaster will be ruthlessly prosecuted and punished.

From: http://drake.marin.k12.ca.us/academics/rock/bears_files/polar-ice-caps-melting.jpg

In this article I read that the arctic sea is vanishing faster and faster everyday. They predict that the sea will be ice free in about 3 years. Scientists are seeing it happen quicker than what their models showed what would happen. The Canadian government provided $156 million in funding for the study of the impact of climate change. More than 300 scientists from around the globe spent last winter on the Canadian Coast Guard research ship the Amundsen in the Arctic. During the winter season this was the 1st time a research vessel had remained mobile in open water.

As quoted from the article “ ‘If you go into the rain forest and you cut down all the trees, the ecosystem in that rain forest will collapse,” he said. “If you go to the Arctic and you remove all the sea ice or if you remove the timing of the sea ice, the system will change.’ ” Before this expedition climate scientists were working under the thought that climate change would happen slower. It was assumed the Arctic would be ice-free in the winter by 2100, not in 3 years.

The impact of climate change has been major on people who live in the Far North. It’s changing their way of life as wildlife adapt to the warmer climate and traditional hunting patterns change. Scientists also think that killer whales could potentially be bringing diseases from other whale species they come into contact with from further south.

If all the ice melts in the arctic is 3 years what does it mean for the animal life up there?

If killer whales start to bring diseases up north what does it mean for the other species?

In this article I read about a very rare Black Coral Forest.  Italian researchers have found a rare black coral forest off the coast of Rome. This rare coral forest is the size of two soccer fields and is around the depth of 150 feet to 300feet. The Italian researchers didn’t give out the location of this rare coral because of treasure hunter. This rare coral is also used to make some sort of jewelry.

This coral has very bright colorful tissue. But the skeleton is a dark brownish color

Where else has this rare black coral forest?
What makes it so rare?