Archive for October, 2008

Ship collisions, hurricanes mean busy season for spills

Posted by nos.web@noaa.gov on 31 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under News
Two hurricanes and two major ship accidents marked the busiest season ever for the NOS Office of Response and Restoration over the past Fiscal Year. In total, the NOS office responded to 179 incidents, three-quarters of which were oil spills. Thousands of incidents occur each year in which oil or chemicals are released into the environment as a result of accidents or natural disasters....

Continue reading...

New current meter aids hazardous passage

Posted by nos.web@noaa.gov on 30 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under News
A new current meter installed on Oct. 15 will help make the most dangerous passage in the Gulf Coast's Intracoastal Waterway a lot safer. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, navigation along this stretch of the Intracoastal Highway grew even more difficult....

Continue reading...

What percentage of life is estimated to be in the ocean?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 30 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under Facts
The ocean is home to the greatest diversity of major plant, animal, and microbial groups on Earth.  More

Filed under  Ocean Life...

Continue reading...

NOAA joins EcoZone Green Schools Initiative

Posted by nos.web@noaa.gov on 22 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under News
NOAA's National Ocean Service recently joined the EcoZone (r) Green Schools Initiative, a public-private environmental outreach and education effort sponsored by EcoMedia and the CBS Corporation. The Initiative kicks off with a competition for a 'green makeover' worth more than $100,000 for schools in three cities....

Continue reading...

How do coral reefs benefit the economy?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 15 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under Facts
Coral reefs support jobs, tourism, and fisheries.  More

Filed under  Ocean Life...

Continue reading...

Using sonar to track sea turtles

Posted by nos.web@noaa.gov on 14 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under News
National Ocean Service (NOS) researchers began testing the use of sonar to investigate sea turtle abundance and habitats in coastal waters near Cape Lookout, North Carolina, this October. This novel use of acoustic technology may lead to new ways to protect threatened and endangered species....

Continue reading...

NOAA satellites monitor coral reef health worldwide

Posted by nos.web@noaa.gov on 6 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under News
NOAA's Coral Reef Watch bleaching monitoring network recently expanded from 24 to 190 'virtual stations.' Nearly 200 sites around the world are now continually monitored from space to notify coral reef managers, scientists, and other interested parties when ocean conditions are ripe for coral bleaching....

Continue reading...

How deep is the ocean?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 2 October, 2008
Comments Off
This item was filled under Facts
The average ocean depth is 4.3 kilometers (2.65 miles).  More

Filed under  Ocean Observations...

Continue reading...