Lionfish Roundup

Invasion of Lionfish

In Florida and the Gulf Coast, volunteers are fighting to limit the amount of Lionfish infesting the Caribbean and Gulf Coast. Lionfish are not native to the surrounding waters, and have been imported over time for their exotic appearance by collectors. Many of them have and were dumped into the ocean when they grew too troublesome to take care of, leading to an explosion of Lionfish in the Caribbean and Gulf Coast. These fish are carnivorous, and are able to consume a fish 2/3s their own body mass. This leads to a fully grown Lionfish being able to clear out a 20 small fish in a coral reef in thirty minutes. This leads to the destruction of the food chain and with the loss of smaller fish seaweed can spiral out of control and destroy the reef and the natural ecosystem. This is why groups of volunteers have banded together to prevent the Lionfish from spreading exponentially without a predator for them to fear in the Gulf Coast. Attempting to cleanse the water of the Lionfish.

"Lion Fish." Project AWARE. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
"LionfishHunters.org." Lionfish Invade South Florida. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.

Volcano Crabs?

Volcano Crabs?

Researchers have been studying deep sea vents created from volcano activity in the Indian Ocean. The vents release black liquid, and hot air making the environment very hostile for almost all living life. One crustacean has been found in these vents however. Yeti crabs have been found located inside the vents along with possibly other creatures that haven't been found before. The Yeti crabs thought to have been seen are supposed to be a new species according to the scientists from Britain. The Vent is called a Dragon Vent, and contains many creatures that may seem familiar at first glance, but are actually much different after hundreds of years of evolution inside these superheated vents. The vents were first discovered in 2007 by Chinese researchers. These constant discoveries in unexpected places excite many who contemplate the unknown creatures hidden under the water in secretive places.


"British Oceanographers Find New Species in Indian Ocean Hydrothermal Vents." British Oceanographers Find New Species in Indian Ocean Hydrothermal Vents. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

Underground Oceans?

Underground Oceans?
Recently scientists have discovered a new ocean, underground. seven hundred kilometers underground lies the world's newest, and coolest ocean. Buried underneath the mantle by a rock called ringwoodlite, which carries a blue color. This is major news for many reasons.

It is important to many scientists because some had speculated that Earth's water had arrived in comets, and had been dispersed when the comets struck the Earth. With this new ocean found, scientists now have a theory that the oceans slowly "oozed" out of the ground, creating the oceans slowly. Many also believe that this is the reason that the oceans never seem to diminish despite conditions. Believing that this underground ocean still acts as a "reservoir" for our oceans. It is quite an odd thought that our oceans have another body of water they lead from.

What is more amazing is the way the scientists utilized technology to find this ocean. They used seismometers to study the seismic waves that the underground ocean gave off for days after earthquakes hit.


http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25723-massive-ocean-discovered-towards-earths-core.html#.VBggLz80-ZR 

Penguins at Risk?

Penguins are the most interesting bird in the animal kingdom. Mainly because they spend most of their time in the water. Their diet is comprised of fish and other marine animals, and their habitat is the coast of the ocean primarily. Contrary to popular belief, not all penguins live in the Arctic areas. Many penguins live in warmer tropical regions and keep cool by living by the water.


Climate change is altering their habitats however, and many penguins are not able to sustain themselves because of the pollutants/waste products dumped into the ocean by careless humans. And while some penguins are able to live outside the freezing tundra, most are not able to. The penguin population will continue to drop with the rise in temperatures. It is proven that penguins are very precise creatures, and any slight change to their environment will cause their mating patterns to go awry. Humans must take action to save these flightless, water-loving birds. Sadly, it could possibly be too late to reverse all the effects of climate change. Humans must now look to the future for new ideas and solutions.

"Penguin Habitat." Penguin Facts and Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014.