http://www.livescience.com/17054-sea-worms-drift-ocean.html

The article above is about deep-sea worms called "enteropneusts," which are gelatinous worms also named "acorn worms" due to their shape. Interestingly, these organisms are capable of floating to different feeding zones, as demonstrated by their different oceanic habitats. Typically these worms are known to live in shallow water; however, the article explains "new observations reveal almost a dozen species living on the seafloor as deep as 12,972 feet (3,954 meters)." This discovery was made by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and the UK National Oceanography Center by ROVs. Researchers also suggest these organisms obtain sand and sediment to assist them in maintaining their position on the sea floor when they're not drifting in ocean currents. While on the sea floor, these organisms eat.

I find this article intriguing because the worm is very mysterious (scientists are still making discoveries about it). Because the worm can live in shallow or deep waters, the question is raised as if one would classify the organism as benthic or pelagic. Personally, I would classify it as pelagic because it is known more for its presence near the surface than in deep waters. I also found it interesting that the worm moves by twisting and raising its body in order to move with ocean currents. I'm also curious to know if the organism glows like it does in the photo; this would make it seem characteristic to the deep ocean.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/20/importance-drugs-from-sea/

The article and video above provides information on the destruction of coral reefs. As discussed in class, the two reiterate that pollution, increasing water temperature, ozone depletion, careless fishing, and other factors can lead to a reef's decline. The article also discusses that the NOAA confirmed that higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can generate problems for the reefs. An interesting fact provided is that almost 250 species of coral reefs are troubled but not classified as endangered. Besides information on the destruction of the reefs the article explains how humans can benefit from the reefs: they are the source of some important drugs, specifically those used for cancer treatment and AIDS treatment. Some specific sponges mentioned include the anti-cancer Cryptotethya crypta, Dolabella auricularia (used for the drug Auristatin), and Bugula neritina (used for Byrostatin). In addition to other drugs mentioned, the article also mentions that reefs provide a source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids to humans.

Despite the fact that FOX news can be biased, I chose this article and video because it is primarily informational. It provides a dynamic explanation of how the coral reefs are beneficial to humans in combination with how they are declining, thus calling for human action. At the end of the article, it even calls for preservation as the author relates the reef's medicines to caring for "loved ones." Additionally, I think the video interesting in that it explains the process of how scientists extract medicines from the reefs (collection trips); it even stresses small amounts taken, showing the reefs are not harmed. One specific thing I found intriguing is that cone snails, an animal with toxins that would usually kill us, is being used to create beneficial medicines. The end of the video also stresses awareness of what is happening to the reefs (and calls for action).

I stumbled across this article from October: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45064870/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.TroE01rlZLE.

This article mentions that the cooler waters that hurricanes bring up from sea depths can help reefs under harm from warming waters (they live in waters that are too hot). These warmer waters can lead to coral bleaching, which is when photosynthetic food providing zooxanthellae leave the coral due to increased water temperature (and other factors), causing the reefs to eventually appear white. A first hurricane can also take care of eliminating the most sensitive reefs, paving way for less damage to occur when successive hurricanes come. I chose this article because I briefly learned during my last presentation that coral bleaching can come from ocean acidification (and thus a reduction in oxygen levels within the ocean). Additionally we always learn about a hurricane's destructive tendencies to a coast and the marine life living there; this article provides a contrast to what we previously learned. I'm intrigued as well to learn more about coral reefs and bleaching in general....

http://www.theday.com/article/20111105/NWS01/311059974/-1/NWS

The article above discusses the decline of three North Atlantic species: the Atlantic menhaden, blueback herring, and alewife. According to the article, the three fish are keystone species located on the Northeast shelf, specifically essential to the Long Island Sound. The article calls for action and regulation of the fisheries depleting the fish populations, specifically the populations of the menhaden.
I chose to highlight this article because it shows how humans not only affect eventual endangerment but an organism's food web as well. Bycatching and overfishing, specifically, lead to the decline in populations. Overfishing affects menhaden, as the fishery based in Virginia uses the fish for fertilizer, fish meal, and Omega 3 oil supplements. Bycatching affects blueback herrings, which are eventually sold for bait. Hurting the food webs, menhaden are a main food source for bluefin tuna, striped bass, cod, bluefish, etc. The article even suggests the blueback herring may be placed on the endangered species list to raise awareness of its decline. In whole, this article fascinates me for many reasons. I may consider doing my blog on bycatching and overfishing, which stands as one reason. Additionally anyone that has fished before can recognize the long term effects of bycatching; when most people go fishing they desire catching a certain marine organism and always end up catching something else unexpected. People often keep the undesired fish, throwing it to waste, or throw it back to sea somewhat harmed. Overall this article raises awareness to end overfishing and bycatching as it can contribute to a decline in key marine species.

Adding to the discussion on marine extinctions is Steller's Sea Cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), an extinct herbivorous marine mammal closely related to manatees. The animal was discovered in 1741 in the North Pacific; 27 years later, the mammal became extinct. Because they were herbivorous, they fed primarily on kelp in masses. Besides eating 'grass,' like literal cows they were said to travel in herds. Not only is this intriguing, but the population was a small range, explaining its quick extinction to some degree. Like marine animals on their path to extinction today, humans impacted their disappearance. Sailors, fur traders, and seal hunters sought out sea cows for food and their skin. Competition for kelp and other nutrients from sea otters and other organisms also became a problem.
In whole, I chose this organism not only because of its interesting 'cow-like' characteristics, but because it shows how both human impact and competition can lead to quick extinction.

**Information:**

http://dinosaurs.about.com/od/mesozoicmammals/p/Stellers-Sea-Cow-Hydrodamalis.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller's_Sea_Cow

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-21/world/ocean.extinction.global.warming_1_mass-extinction-coral-reefs-marine-life?_s=PM:WORLD


Modern day marine life has more threats contributing towards mass extinction than in the past. While the book discusses the cause of past extinctions due to the collision of Earth with an asteroid/comet and other cataclysmic events, this CNN article from June 2011 presents a more up-to-date explanation for marine life mass extinction. Like the book, however, the article does make it clear that the decline of a functioning marine ecosystem occurs fast.
Specifically, the article focuses on the following as causes of global mass extinctions:

1- global warming
2- ocean acidification (from pollution)
3- lack of oxygen within the water (or hypoxia)
4- habitat loss
5- over-fishing

In reviewing these causes, I found the article intriguing in that it demonstrates how much humans impact an ocean ecosystem. For example, I found it interesting that over-fishing has "reduced commercial fish stocks and populations of catch species by more than 90%." It is also appealing that the author demonstrates how life in the ocean affects humans (resources, weather, and providing oxygen). While the majority of the article explains how humans affect an ocean ecosystem's decline, reversing the situation calls attention for people to take better care of the ocean now and in the future.

**Note: the article overall references to life in coral reefs.**

http://www.insidescience.org/research/diamonds-telling-the-tale-of-an-epic-journey

Dated from Sep. 15, 2011, this recent article also goes along with your post and explains how diamonds carry the record of Earth's carbon cycle. Along with the information in this post, it's important to take note of the image at the right side of the page. The image shows how diamonds form in the lower mantle in subducted oceanic crust, etc. The image is a great representation of your article, and the one I just included.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A781715

The "great" explosion of the Tambora volcano occurred over in 1815 on the island of Sumbawa. I chose to highlight this article/informational page because the volcano occurred when ocean water entered cracks and reacted with magma inside the volcano, causing a pressure to build up and the mountain to burst; because the ocean was in element in the eruption, I figured this volcanic eruption demonstrates a tie between oceanography and earth structure/plate tectonics. The effect side of the volcano impacted those near the eruption, and globally. Over 90,000 people died locally. Globally, temperatures fell across the Northern Hemisphere due to the amount of sulfur dioxide released into the atmosphere.

Additionally, it is important to note that Tambora lies above the surface of the active north-dipping subduction zone; this is where the plates converge, causing the mantle to sink as one plate moves under another. In this instance, the island of Sumbawa is surrounding by oceanic crust, suggesting that specifically oceanic crust converged with other oceanic crust in the formation of Tambora.

Here's a more recent article on Tambora: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/rumblings-within-indonesias-mount-tambora-volcano-could-eruption-bring-year-without-summer/2011/09/22/gIQAyEUMqK_blog.html

It is interesting to see how Tambora's 1815 impacts are being considered again for 2012 (another year without a summer) !

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110119-yellowstone-park-supervolcano-eruption-magma-science/


This article and video included within it provides information on Yellowstone National Park and how it is placed/ rising on a "supervolcano." Not only is the article interesting because a detailed video is included, it is intriguing because it provides a recent update (the article was written in January of 2011) on what is happening below the whole park's surface. Additionally, the article discusses earthquakes, which also deal with plate tectonics.

In understanding what is happening beneath Yellowstone's surface, it is important to know that a hot spot is a volcanic region (sometimes located near plate boundaries) where magna rises from a stationary source of heat in the mantle. In these locations, lithospheric plates weaken and move; thus, a volcano may form in the area. Yellowstone is over a hot spot beneath the westward-moving North American plate. The amount of magma located in the hot spot spans an estimated area of 7 to 10 kilometers and depth of 10 kilometers. Scientists believe that underneath Yellowstone's surface this magma pool derives from hot rock coming upward from the mantle- showing that it is a hotspot.

I chose this article because not only does it accurately portray what a hot spot is in depth, but I've actually visited Yellowstone. It is astounding to think that an area so large can be placed over one large hot spot and one day the volcano below could erupt. After seeing all of the 'wonders' within the park, it is crazy to imagine what large scale damage would do- to the animals, waterfalls, geysers, etc.

From exploring this website, (http://www.iodp.org) I think it is also important to note that it is an international research program; in fact, 24 countries support the program. This shows that the program is a global effort and that it "unifies the international research community to explore Earth as a system." Additionally, the IDOP provides an international awareness of geohazards and environmental changes.

For more information I visited http://www.bgs.ac.uk/iodp/. This website is specifically about the UK's involvement with the IDOP. Their participation is funded by the National Environmental Research Council. This website also lists three mail goals/themes that the IDOP focuses on: the deep biosphere and subsea floor ocean, environmental change (processes and effects), and solid earth cycles and geodynamics. Overall I also learned that there are three major partners that fund the entire program: the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), Japan and the United States. It is important to keep in mind the effect that such a large scale project must have not only on our national economy, but global economy as well.