scinerds: Microscopic Life Captured in a Plankton Net The photo above shows a sample of water teeming with microscopic life. The sample was collected in a plankton net suspended into an incoming tide for 20 minutes from a bridge over an inlet near Brunswick, Maine. It was later photographed in a lab at the Southern Maine Community College. Several diatoms (aquatic, photosynthetic plants) can be identified here. The round, cathedral window like structure is a stepanodiscus and the connected, rectangular tubes are tabellaria. Diatoms are at the bottom of the food chain, meaning that nearly all life depends upon these creatures. They produce as much as 50 percent of the Earth’s oxygen. — Paula Ursoy and John Stetson
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scinerds:

Microscopic Life Captured in a Plankton Net

The photo above shows a sample of water teeming with microscopic life.

The sample was collected in a plankton net suspended into an incoming tide for 20 minutes from a bridge over an inlet near Brunswick, Maine. It was later photographed in a lab at the Southern Maine Community College. Several diatoms (aquatic, photosynthetic plants) can be identified here.

The round, cathedral window like structure is a stepanodiscus and the connected, rectangular tubes are tabellaria. Diatoms are at the bottom of the food chain, meaning that nearly all life depends upon these creatures. They produce as much as 50 percent of the Earth’s oxygen. — Paula Ursoy and John Stetson

marine-science:

This video is about an island in the ocean at 2000 km from any other coast line. 
Nobody lives here, only birds.. and yet you will not believe your eyes!

This should be seen by the entire world. The consequences of our time. 

Marine Pollution is responsible for killing countless species both on land and in the ocean. Collectively we need and can do something about this. Join us in a collective effort help to species like these, as well as prevent a garbage filled future. For the oceans! 

rhamphotheca:

Shark-eating seal among rare and ridiculously stunning scenes documented off South Africa

By: Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com

Chris and Monique Fallows have witnessed many extraordinary events while diving off South Africa.

But during two recent expeditions they captured wildly spectacular scenes that may never have been photographed: that of a voracious cape fur seal boldly snacking on large sharks; and dozens of blue sharks gathered around and gorging on an enormous ball of bait fish.

Of the former event, revealing the raw dynamics of the food chain, Chris Fallows said: “There were eight guests aboard our vessel, many of them seasoned wildlife enthusiasts. None had ever seen anything like this as sharks of this size are certainly not usually considered food for seals.

“In more than 2,000 expeditions working with sharks over the last 21 years, this is the only time I have ever seen a seal kill several sharks and I can find no record of such an event happening elsewhere.”

The seal consumed the stomach and livers of the first two sharks, before killing three others…

(via: GrindTV Blog)               (photos: Chris and Monique Fallows)

(via earthandanimals)

Source: rhamphotheca