WHOI underwater robot takes first known automated sample from ocean
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 8 January 2022
WHOI’s Nereid Under Ice (NUI) robot made the first autonomous robotic ocean sample at Kolumbo volcano, advancing AI-based deep-sea exploration vital for future missions to ocean worlds like Europa.
Keywords: ocean robotics, WHOI, Kolumbo volcano, AI, NASA
Study weighs deep-sea mining’s impact on microbes
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 16 January 2020
Deep-sea mining threatens vital microbial communities that support ecosystem functions and biotechnological potential. Scientists urge evaluating microbial roles, not just presence, to guide sustainable policy and protect irreplaceable habitats.
Keywords: deep-sea mining, microbes, ecosystem services, hydrothermal vents, biotechnology, WHOI
Report reveals ‘unseen’ human benefits from ocean twilight zone
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Published: 22 January 2020
The ocean's twilight zone sequesters 2–6 billion tons of carbon yearly—far more than the Amazon—helping regulate Earth's climate. This hidden ecosystem also supports global fisheries and faces risks from unregulated exploitation.
Keywords: twilight zone, carbon sink, WHOI, climate regulation, deep ocean
