Ocean BioGeosciences (OBG)

Scientist Spotlight – Meet Biological Oceanographer Dr Nathan Briggs

Dr Nathan Briggs

Our ocean offers a potential buffer against climate change. It takes up and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in a process known as the biological carbon pump. Without life in the ocean providing this pump scientists think atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations could be 50% higher than they are even now.

Monsters of the Deep unveiled at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

With a Vampire Squid (from hell) and a model of 'Boaty McBoatface'; the Historic Dockyard Chatham are about to showcase an exhibition of treasures from the National Oceanography (NOC) that has been described as the most technically sophisticated and lavish sea monster-themed showcase ever produced.

How will climate change affect the Internet?

 Global distribution of subsea cables and landing stations analysed in the paper, based on database of Telegeography (2022). Background topography: Google Earth.
  • Seafloor cables carry over 95% of all digital data traffic worldwide, crucial to our everyday lives.
  • A new global study led by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has revealed how climate change may increase the threats posed by natural hazards to these networks.

Underwater tsunamis cause vigorous ocean mixing

The RRS James Clark Ross. Image credit: British Antarctic Survey

A paper recently published in Science Advances has revealed, for the first time, the impact of underwater tsunamis in Antarctica on the mixing of the ocean.

Ocean robot mission success marks key milestone in net-zero transition

ALR ‘Boaty McBoatface’ fitted with BioCam

A recent mission that saw robot submarine Autosub Long Range (ALR), better known as ‘Boaty McBoatface’, explore and visually map end-of-life oil fields has been hailed a success, marking a key milestone in the marine survey industry transition towards net-zero targets.

Study reveals massive fall of dead red crabs in the deep-sea

Carcasses of red crab <i>Pleuroncodes planipes</i> photographed by Autsub6000 during seabed surveys in the NE abyssal Pacific

Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have made a surprise discovery of thousands of dead swimming crabs, 4,000 metres deep in the abyssal Pacific.

Scientist Spotlight – Meet Biogeochemist Dr Claire Evans

Dr Claire Evans conducting fieldwork

Seagrass meadows are the powerhouses of coastal seas, providing a nature-based solution to climate change.

They have been neglected for decades, which has led to their large-scale degradation and loss. This loss now provides an opportunity for environmental renewal through large-scale restoration.

Study reveals giant underwater landslide blocking megatonnes of carbon

Moorings on back deck of RRS James Cook ready to be deployed in an expedition related to the study. (Photo credit: Edward Pope)

A new study led by scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and Durham University has revealed, for the first time, evidence of a giant landslide dam blocking megatonnes of organic carbon from being transported to deep-sea ecosystems.

Research to monitor marine environment in the North Sea begins

The team with Autosub Long Range (ALR)

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has begun conducting research with robot submarine ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on end-of-life oil fields off the coast of the Shetland Islands to help monitor and protect the marine environment in the North Sea and to support industry transition towards its net-zero targets.

NOC joins study to assess impact of offshore wind farms

Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre, the UK’s leading ocean research centre, are joining a collaborative effort to assess the impact of offshore wind farms on marine ecosystems.