Optoswim

I recently heard about Optoswim who are developing a system in which fish are encouraged to swim in a tank at certain speeds by following LED lights. Control of the swim speed can lead to control of the quality and health of the fish. The CEO is Sunil Kadri, who is also involved in Aquaculture Innovation.

It looks like Optoswim might have a lot of data which could be compared to agent based modelling.

References:
info from TSB
publication 1
publication 2
publication 3

Raptor "experiment"

There is evidence that birds form flocks to guard against predators (link, link) but other studies show no correlation (link, link).

It would be interesting to devise an experiment where a standard mathematical flocking model is used, with parameters such as flock size, flying speed, noise, and where a human user tries to catch birds of the flock using an interface such as a mouse/pointer directed model predator. The predator motion could be restricted to mimic a raptor, i.e. turning circle, acceleration, maximum speed.

Statistics of success rate (from the predator's point of view) versus parameters could then be measured.

This could all be automatic of course and driven by computer code, but the human interface gives an interesting way of engaging the public.

(One by product of such an experiment would be consideration of how different human subjects perform, with regard to age, gender etc).

Mixing in the Ocean

Mixing in the ocean occurs on several scales, the smallest scale being molecular. If a layer of warm, salty water lies above a layer of colder, fresher water, the heat and salt will tend to diffuse (spread out) downwards to make a single layer with intermediate temperature and salinity values. However, because heat diffuses faster than salt, the process can lead to local instabilities in the density structure which cause mixing within a layer many meters thick. The best-known example of this process, known as salt fingering, occurs where very salty water from the Mediterranean outflow mixes into the North Atlantic.

Read more: Ocean Mixing - sea, depth, oceans, temperature, salt, source, effect, salinity, Pacific http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Mi-Oc/Ocean-Mixing.html#ixzz1D4AHmOk3

State of the Seas

From ResearchProfessional: (the report can be found here)

"Northern Ireland assembly environment minister Edwin Poots has unveiled the first official report into the marine environment around the northern Irish coast.

Northern Ireland State of the Seas was compiled jointly by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. It covers 14 different aspects of the marine envi

ronment ranging from fish and foodwebs to marine litter and underwater noise.

“This is a key time in managing our marine environment. We have an extremely rich and varied coastline with the marine species in our seas contributing to over half the overall biodiversity in Northern Ireland. Other important marine resources include fisheries, tourism, shipwrecks and beaches. Our economy is reliant on sea transport and on our ports,” said Poots, in a statement. “There is great potential for the emerging marine renewables industry which could exploit the tidal, wave and offshore wind around our shores.”"

Population Dynamics

This looks like it could be an interesting book, relating to work on populations. It may be only relevant to continuous populations (rather than individual agents) but will be good for background information.

The order page is here.

NERC funding: Ice Sheet Stability

One area that is of interest to researchers is the break-up of ice sheets. This process and, in particular, how sea-ice behaves, might relate to this call from NERC for projects in ice sheet stability.

There will probably be four projects funded, in the following areas:

• Deliverable A: Increased understanding of the processes driving ocean heat transport on to and across the continental shelf towards ice shelves, and the sources of variability in that transport.
• Deliverable B: Increased understanding of the sub-ice shelf processes that lead to changes in the melt rate experienced by ice shelves
• Deliverable C: Increased understanding of the nature and dynamics of the processes controlling the response of Pine Island Glacier to grounding line migration.
• Deliverable D: Improved estimates of the contribution to sea level change from the Amundsen Sea Sector.

The announcement is here and the deadline is 22nd March 2011.

Blogs about oceans

A policy website has just published a very useful list of 100 blogs about oceans. Here are a few of them...

1.) The Beacon

Oceana seeks to educate the world on the delicate ecosystems of the sea in the interest of keeping them protected and safe.

2.) The Ocean Project

This conservation effort involves aquariums, zoos, museums and other institutions worldwide who all share the common goal of preserving the world’s oceans.

3.) Ocean acidification

Keep up with the latest reports on the ocean’s acidity and how it affects the organisms who rely on it using this helpful resource by the European Project on Ocean Acidification.

4.) The Reef Tank Blog

Aquarium keeping, marine biology and oceanography converge into one useful, educational series of blogs perfect for anyone wanting to learn more.

5.) Environment/Ocean at Discover

Although Discover Magazine covers a wide spectrum of scientific subjects and does not cover those related to the oceans as often as the others listed here, it still warrants a visit. If nothing else, it at least allows readers to explore how marine topics relate to other disciplines.

6.) Deep-Sea News

Humanity knows more about outer space than it does the deepest depths of the oceans, and this amazing, detailed blog showcases marine wonders new and old alike.

7.) James’ Blog

James Douglass loves windsurfing and works as a marine biologist – his blog overflows with information on both topics for the curious.

8.) Eye of the Dolphin

Read up on all the latest news, views and efforts to protect some of the most beloved and endangered marine mammals on the planet.

9.) RTSea Blog

Suitable for scientific professionals and nonprofessionals alike, the RTSea Blog posts up multimedia in the interest of educating the populace on how the oceans operate and why mankind needs to take care of them.

10.) Notebook of a Mermaid

This fun, funky blog takes the perspective of a mermaid in the interest of spreading a love of ocean life and ecology.

...and a few more which caught my eye,

19.) Ice Stories

Research scientists stationed at both poles blog about their findings regarding climate, geology, geography and – of course – oceanography and marine biology.

23.) Oceanography at Science 2.0

Explore the multifaceted ocean, reading articles on everything from its geological constructs to the unique life forms that dwell within.

40.) Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice, & Sunsets

Biodiversity, coral reefs, conservation and more can be found at this fun, irreverent and highly educational marine resource.

64.) Southern Fried Science

Several scientists pool their talents together in the interest of informing the public about how oceans (and the organisms that call them home) operate.