OCEAN: Bridge Collapse & more – 2nd Apr 2024

Ahoy from BA! This is Rorshok’s Ocean Update from the 2nd of April twenty twenty-four. A summary of what's going down in the 70% surface of the Earth covered in saltwater.

On Tuesday, the 26th of March, a cargo ship called MV Dali collided with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, in the state of Maryland, United States, causing a section to collapse and resulting in the presumed deaths of six construction workers— only two bodies have been found, the other four are still missing. The ship lost power before the crash, striking a bridge support at significant speed. Investigations are ongoing, with preliminary findings suggesting the incident was an accident. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently analyzing the electronics of the vessel to get more information. The collapse will likely disrupt shipping and commuter traffic, impacting the Port of Baltimore, though the overall effect on global trade may be limited.

Moving on, ocean scientists aboard the research vessel Atlantis went through an ocean expedition and they discovered five new hydrothermal vents in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. The scientist crew returned to port in San Diego after discovering the vents on the seafloor at a depth of 2,550 meters (more than 1.5 miles). The vents emit fluids hotter than 300°C ( or 570°F) and are located on the East Pacific Rise, where two tectonic plates are splitting apart with a speed of eleven centimeters (more than four inches) per year. The undersea robot Sentry mapped the area at night, providing high-resolution maps that the scientists used to plan dives.

Still in the Pacific Ocean. Researchers have discovered two distinct species of killer whales along the Pacific coast, despite assumptions believed for a long time that there was a single global species. According to the study published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA Fisheries on Wednesday, the 27th of March, through genetic and behavioral evidence, scientists made a distinction between resident and Bigg's killer whales, previously considered one species. The genetic data revealed significant genetic differences between the two ecotypes, and the behavioral ones showed that resident killer whales feed on fish like salmon, while Bigg's killer whales prey on seals and other marine mammals.

In other news, on Wednesday, the 6th of March, around 2,000 earthquakes occurred 150 miles (or 240 kilometers) off the coast of Vancouver Island. The seismic activity, centered on the Endeavour site, is not a threat but provides insights into the formation of a new oceanic crust. The region is located in the Juan de Fuca Ridge, and stretches and thins the crust, allowing magma to rise and solidify into new crust. On the 6th of March, Ocean Networks Canada detected around 200 earthquakes per hour. Researchers are still closely monitoring the area, seeking answers about crust formation and magma sources.

Let’s have a look at the Indian Ocean. According to an analysis by Doctor David Brewster, a specialist in South Asian and Indian Ocean strategic affairs, published in the journal The Interpreter on Wednesday the 27th of March, countries like India and China are racing to map international waters and exclusive economic zones. India offers hydrographic services and training to other countries, but China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean raises concerns in the region. The United States, Britain, and Australia are stepping in to help nations build their own mapping capabilities. These developments show that a bigger competition is starting to decide who controls important hydrographic data in the region. According to Doctor Brewster, collaborative efforts will be key to managing maritime territories effectively.

Still in the Indian Ocean. Somali pirates are seizing merchant ships as vessels re-route south to avoid the Red Sea due to the Houthi attacks. To combat this threat of piracy, shipping companies are calling for greater coordination between international navies. The rise in piracy is linked to the decrease in Red Sea cargo and ships taking longer routes via the Indian Ocean. Recent hijackings, including the seizure of the MV Abdullah off Somalia’s coast, show that Somali piracy is back. According to a recent article published in The National UAE by Thomas Harding, a security and policy editor, international efforts, like the successful Indian navy operations, are needed to counter both piracy and Houthi attacks, requiring close coordination among naval forces in the region.

Now, some news from the Antarctic Sea, where ice is exhibiting unusual behavior. According to Doctor Mark Serreze, the director of the US National Snow and Ice Data Center, warm ocean water is melting ice and inhibiting its formation, suggesting a potential shift in Antarctic sea ice dynamics. This may be indicating a new trend, with a record-low maximum in September twenty twenty-three and an almost general record-low over the past six months. On the other side of the world, Arctic sea ice reached a below-average winter peak, despite favorable winds, showing a continued decline in ice extent. The relatively high peak serves as a reminder of the variability in Arctic climate change, with a thinner ice cover compared to previous decades.

Talking about the Arctic, a new study published in the Science Advances journal led by researchers of the University of Albany and the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology revealed that melting Arctic sea ice could intensify the weather phenomenon El Niño. The study shows that the interactions between the Arctic sea ice and the atmosphere diminish the intensity of the climate pattern El Niño by as much as 17%. Through climate model simulations, the researchers found out that removing this interaction led to significant changes in tropical Pacific Ocean climate states and El Niño-Southern Oscillation strength. These findings underline the importance of considering sea-ice-air interactions in climate models to predict better El Niño and its impacts in a future that will be warmer and warmer.

Up next, fisheries. Luis Planas, Spain's Minister of Agriculture, said that the European Union is ready for any outcome regarding the fisheries agreement with Morocco, following a recent EU court advisor's recommendation against the deal. On Monday the 25th of March, Planas emphasized the need to await the court's judgment and highlighted ongoing discussions with Moroccan authorities. The recommendation underscores tensions over Western Sahara's status within the agreement, but it does not concretely change the situation at the time being. Since twenty twenty-one, Morocco has consistently insisted on respecting its territorial integrity and sovereignty in future agreements with the EU.

What about seabed mining? At the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica, which took place from the 18th until the 29th of March, Uncle Sol, a member of the Greenpeace International delegation, emphasized the importance of Indigenous representation in discussions about deep sea mining. He highlighted the deep connection Indigenous People have with the ocean and the importance of considering cultural perspectives in decision-making processes. Despite The Metals Company pushing for commercial licenses in areas near Hawaii, Uncle Sol advocated for Indigenous knowledge to be integrated into negotiations.

Closing with good news. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and the BC Center for Disease Control launched the GEMSTONE project, founded by Genome BC, to enhance surveillance of marine fecal pollution. The project will develop a two-step genomic process to identify contamination sources, addressing the challenges faced by public health and the British Columbian shellfish industry. First, the project wants to make a distiction between human and non-human contamination, and, as a second step, determine the specific animal source. Dr. Natalie Prystajecky leads the project and collaborates with partners like the BC Shellfish Growers Association and the Malahat Nation. The GEMSTONE project will ensure the safety and sustainability of the shellfish industry.

And that’s it for this week! Thanks for joining us!

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