ISSUE 12 | 2013

MI-NEWS www.plymouth.ac.uk/marine

GLOBAL INVESTIGATION REVEALS TRUE SCALE OF OCEAN WARMING

STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW BIO-IMAGING PTEROPOD FOSSIL SYSTEM COMES ON TECHNOLOGY PEERS RECORD SHOWS PAST BOARD AT PLYMOUTH INTO THE HEART OF IMPACT OF OCEAN UNIVERSITY EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT ACIDIFICATION CONTENTS

03 GLOBAL INVESTIGATION 08 STATE-OF-THE-ART SONAR REVEALS TRUE SCALE SYSTEM COMES ON OF OCEAN WARMING BOARD AT PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY 04 BRITAIN AND THE SEA 2 09 NEW RESEARCH OFFERS INSIGHT INTO MARINE 06 THE SEAMANSHIP CENTRE LIFE’S ABILITY TO ADAPT TO -DIVING AND MARINE OCEAN CLIMATE CHANGE CENTRE AND SOON TO BE … THE ‘MARINE STATION’ 10 NEW BIO-IMAGING TECHNOLOGY PEERS 07 PTEROPOD FOSSIL INTO THE HEART OF RECORD SHOWS PAST EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION NEWS GLOBAL INVESTIGATION REVEALS TRUE SCALE OF OCEAN WARMING By Professor Camille Parmesan ([email protected]) Professor NMA Chair in Public Understanding of Marine Science & Human Health Marine Insitute

One of the lead authors of the report, Professor Mike Burrows at SAMS said: Professor Camille Parmesan, National “Most of the effects we saw were as Marine Aquarium Chair in Public expected from changes in climate. So, Understanding of Oceans and Human most shifts in the distributions of, say, Health within Plymouth University’s fishes and corals, were towards the Marine Institute, said the study offered a poles, and most events in springtime, “very simple, but important message”. like spawning, were earlier.”

Professor Parmesan said: “This is the Some of the most convincing evidence first comprehensive documentation that climate change is the primary driver of what is happening in our marine behind the observed changes could systems in relation to climate change. be found in footprints that showed, for What it reveals is that the changes example, opposing responses in warm- that are occurring on land are being water and cold-water species within a matched by the oceans. And far from community; and similar responses from being a buffer and displaying more discrete populations at the same range minor changes, what we’re seeing is a edge. far stronger response from the oceans.” Warming oceans are causing marine Dr Pippa Moore, Lecturer in Aquatic species to change breeding times and The research team assembled a large Biology from Aberystwyth University, shift homes with expected substantial database of 1,735 changes in marine life said: “Our research has shown that a consequences for the broader marine from the global peer-reviewed literature wide range of marine organisms, which landscape, according to a new global which helped them investigate impacts inhabit the intertidal to the deep-sea, study. of climate change. The team found that and are found from the poles to the 81% of changes were in a direction tropics, have responded to recent The three-year research project, funded consistent with climate change. climate change by changing their by the National Centre for Ecological distribution, phenology or demography. Analysis and Synthesis in California, has The evidence showed that the leading shown widespread systemic shifts in edge or ‘front line’ of some marine “These results highlight the urgent need measures such as distribution of species species, such as phytoplankton, for governments around the globe to and phenology – the timing of nature’s zooplankton and bony fish, is moving develop adaptive management plans to calendar – on a scale comparable to or towards the poles at the average rate of ensure the continued sustainability of greater than those observed on land. 72km per decade, which is considerably the world’s oceans and the goods and faster than the terrestrial average of services they provide to human society.” The report, Global imprint of climate 6km per decade – and this despite the change on marine life, will form part of fact that sea surface are the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate warming three times slower than land Change Assessment Report due for temperatures publication in 2014, and is published in this month’s Nature Climate Change. It They also found that spring phenology was undertaken by eminent scientists in the oceans had advanced by more at 17 institutions across the world, than four days, nearly twice the figure including the University of Queensland, for phenological advancement on land. Plymouth University, Aberystwyth The strength of response varied among University, and the Scottish Association species, but again, the research showed for Marine Science (SAMS). the greatest response in invertebrate zooplankton and larval bony fish, up to 11 days in advancement. 03 NEWS BRITAIN AND THE SEA 2 By Paul Wright ([email protected]), Associate Director Marine Institute

A one-day conference organised and of Britain upon the Sea stating that the for all sectors including the global supported by the Maritime Foundation seas and oceans are of huge importance drivers of population growth, shift of and Plymouth University Marine Institute to Britain and it is lamentable that few economic power, on resources exploring the importance of the sea on of the population understand how and environmental threats were also Britain’s wealth and prosperity. much they rely on the sea to provide considered. their daily needs. He applauded the The first ‘Britain and the Sea’ conference engagement of Plymouth University with Harry Bennett, Associate Professor in examined the identity and relationship the Maritime Foundation in their desire History at Plymouth University, surmised of Britain and the Sea. The concerns, to foster knowledge and interest in the that there is a disconnect between the which still exist, focused on the danger sea and oceans of which all human life public and Britain’s interests on the of Britain losing its identity as a maritime is part. He described the new informal sea. He suggested that knowledge of nation at the very time when the seas relationship as being apposite and maritime history is of value to bridge are becoming of increasing national the Symposium series ‘Britain and the the disconnect. Harry looked at the importance due to the opportunities Sea’ as having a value well beyond the lessons affirmed, lessons overlooked for economic exploitation, sustainable numbers attending. and lessons ignored in the recent transportation and inter-state rivalry. The celebrations of Battle of the Atlantic. He conference asked: How did we arrive at The first speaker Paul Wright undertook questioned the true nature of Britain’s this point, where are we now and where an overview of Britain’s maritime relationship with America, the need for should we go from here to ensure the interests, in which he considered state-of-the-art warships and how the maritime future of the UK? the strengths of the key maritime public consciousness is shaped with sectors, including ports, shipping, respect to maritime interests. In the Keynote speech Vice Admiral maritime business services, , The State of Britain’s Seas was the topic Sir Richard Ibbotson, retired Deputy fishing, offshore, subsea and marine pursued by Martin Attrill, Director of Commander Fleet, spoke of the reliance aggregates. The trends and challenges Plymouth University’s Marine Institute,

04 who compared the past plenteous of conflicts will dominate over counter Michael Roe looked at the Inadequacy supplies of fish with the comparatively insurgency operations. of Maritime Governance. He criticised meagre availability today. He claimed the failure of the international shipping that today’s problems of fishing were Commodore Jake Moores looked at the industry to think of a more effective created by the introduction of the issue of maritime training. He referred to system of governance. He suggested steam trawlers and the continuing the September 2013 edition of Seaways that the industry thinks in national terms development of technology. The key in which there is a definition of the rather considering matters on a global phrase ‘We’re trying harder to catch word simulation which uses phrases level. His presentation was illustrated fewer fish’ summed up the evidence including ‘can go anywhere’ … ‘provides with examples of failure taken from the which was presented. He called for experiential learning.’ As former Head maritime industry including its inability to effective management of the sea and its of Britannia Royal Naval College he establish a key skills base, failure of liner resources. considered the issues of training relating shipping and the conference system to the Royal Navy and the constraints and failure to establish a single EU Flag. A marine technologist working in imposed by budgets and the limited In conclusion he stated that at a time of renewables was how Steve Jermy number of future ships able to provide globalisation the state does not know described himself. As author of the training. The need for blended delivery how to act. He called for a wider role for book ‘Strategy in Action’ Steve spoke of training where replay can provide all stakeholders in the governance of on how military power is used. He feedback and reinforce actions is critical international shipping. discussed: ‘21st Century Campaign for the future. lessons,’ ‘Future Lessons of Maritime The final presentation was made by Insecurity’ and the ‘Future Character Andy Parkin of ‘Two Four’ demonstrated Commodore Richard Farrington on of Maritime Operations’. He covered three simulation and training packages the topic of Protection Capability. He and described the three “E”s which which provided potential for effective gave an overview of globalisation and govern political thinking, Economics and training. It was noted that ‘walk considered the key choke points where the role of increasing debt in Western through’ simulation of the ‘Astute’ class maritime security is needed to support economies, Environment and the need submarines reduces the familiarisation the free flow of world trade. He looked for clean energy to limit the impact of time required and provides specifically at the choke points of the climate change, and ENERGY referred to opportunities for system tracing and , the Straits of Hormuz and as the master resource. He expressed layout training. Bab el Mandeb Straits. The anti-piracy ideas concerning the future role of role of naval in the Indian Ocean the military suggesting that resource Under the generic title ‘Protection of was covered in some detail. security is critical and that containment the Maritime Environment’, Professor

05 NEWS THE SEAMANSHIP CENTRE - DIVING AND MARINE CENTRE AND SOON TO BE … THE ‘MARINE STATION’

By Paul Wright ([email protected]), Associate Director Marine Institute

The Marine Station is a landmark £4.65 Boasting lecture facilities overlooking million development; a state-of-the-art the sea, a wet lab for sample teaching and research facility on the examination and analysis, a seawater shores of Plymouth Sound, unique within aquarium, and field equipment storage higher education in the country because and changing facilities, the Marine of its close proximity to the main Station will be the University’s base for University campus. marine expeditionary work.

Due to open in August 2014, the Marine It will also be a centre of excellence Station will be part of the University’s for academic diving – again, unique ‘Waterfront Campus’ whose classrooms to higher education in the UK – where will literally extend out into the natural students will undertake professional environment. diving qualifications alongside their degree programmes and develop valuable industry-relevant skills.

06 RESEARCH PTEROPOD FOSSIL RECORD SHOWS PAST IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION By Deborah Wall-Palmer ([email protected]), Research Fellow

The researchers found that when carbon dioxide levels rose in the past, the pteropod shells became smaller and more badly corroded. They also proved that the corrosion happened when the animals were alive not while the shells were on the seafloor. This is the first time that such a relationship has been shown for the recent (Pleistocene) fossil record. Previous lab studies had already confirmed that acidic waters are the cause of this type of shell damage. The acidic water makes it more difficult for the pteropods to construct and maintain their shells, which are prone to being dissolved at low pH. So the more acidic the water, the smaller the shells and the worse condition the shells are in.

Interestingly, the Carribbean Sea appears to be more acidic now than it has been over the last 250,000 years. The research presented here shows that the last time oceans were this acidic pteropods suffered, suggesting that an important link in the marine food chain is already being negatively affected by rising carbon dioxide levels.

Reference: Deborah Wall-Palmer, Christopher W. Smart and Malcolm B. Hart (2013) In-life pteropod shell dissolution as an indicator of past ocean carbonate saturation. Quaternary Our oceans are becoming more acidic When the animals die their shells sink Science Reviews, 81(1):29-34. as they absorb increasing amounts of to the sea-bed and are buried, building carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, up a record of pteropods over time. The with potentially serious consequences team analysed the shells of Limacina Image Caption: for marine life. New research from the inflata from three sediment cores taken Scanning electron micrographs showing Centre for Research in Earth Sciences from the Caribbean Sea and Indian healthy a pteropod shell (left) and (CRES) has now documented the Ocean, a record extending back over corroded shell (right). Bottom images effects of this ocean acidification over 400,000 years. They took incremental detail the respective shell surface. geological time-scales. The team (led by samples along the core and each Dr. Deborah Wall-Palmer) looked at how pteropod shell was measured and acidification has affected pteropods, given a score from 0-5 according to its small marine snails that spend their life condition; 0 being healthy, 5 being badly swimming in the water column with corroded. wing-like parapodia (their nickname is ‘sea butterflies’).

07 RESEARCH STATE-OF-THE-ART SONAR SYSTEM COMES ON BOARD AT PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

Caption: SS James Eagan Layne

Plymouth University has invested in The MBES sends a beam of sound into Jon Holmes, of the Hydrographic a new state-of-the-art sonar system the water and can receive multiple Academy, said: “Using the MBES of this that will enable students to map the beams back from the seabed or a quality is a bit like taking a photo, but underwater world and visualise in detail feature below the sea surface up to a better. It provides intelligent data, such features such as shipwrecks. depth of 400 metres, and using specialist as how deep the water is, or how tall a software, can accurately measure shipwreck might be. It offers students The Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) latitude, longitude, and the height an invaluable insight into different will be used on board the University’s of the feature. It will enable Marine hydrographic scenarios, from updating teaching and research vessels and has Institute researchers to conduct seabed charts, to investigating obstructions on already been tested off the coast of mapping, and will be used in fieldwork the seabed, mapping marine habitats Devon and over wrecks such trips by any student whose degree and carrying out surveys for oil and as HMS Scylla and the SS James Eagan includes hydrography, such as Ocean gas.” Layne. Exploration. The sonar and supporting system and Any student in the University who is The sonar will also be used by software will also be made available to studying hydrography will have access professional students who’ve enrolled commercial companies as part of the to the kit, which has been supplied on its Hydrographic Academy – an University’s engagement with the South by Swathe Services, based in Truro, innovative partnership with multi- West Marine Energy Park. Cornwall. national giant Fugro that provides higher education and postgraduate James Williams, Managing Director of Professor Simon Handley, Acting Dean of programmes for those in the off-shore the Swathe Group of companies, added: the Faculty of Science and Environment, sector. Launched last year, there “We are really pleased to be able to said: “Very few universities in the are more than 100 students from all continue our support of the University country can boast such a cutting-edge over the world studying through the through the provision of first-class system, one which opens a window Hydrographic Academy. equipment and software. We have into the sub-sea world. It’s further always enjoyed getting involved with evidence of Plymouth’s commitment to the next generation of surveyors and the student experience and its world- this is a terrific opportunity for students leading marine and maritime pedigree.” of the new Hydrographic Academy and the Marine Institute to see the latest innovations from leading manufacturers in the industry.” 08 NEW RESEARCH OFFERS INSIGHT INTO MARINE LIFE’S ABILITY TO ADAPT TO OCEAN CLIMATE CHANGE By Dr Piero Calosi ([email protected]) Lecturer, Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre

A study into marine life around an Project leader Dr Piero Calosi, of underwater volcanic vent in the Plymouth University’s Marine Institute, Mediterranean might hold the key to said: “Previous studies have shown that understanding how some species will single-cell algae can genetically adapt be able to survive in increasingly acidic to elevated levels of carbon dioxide, sea water should anthropogenic climate but this research has demonstrated that change continue. a marine animal can physiologically and genetically adapt to chronic and Researchers have discovered that elevated levels of carbon dioxide. some species of polychaete worms are able to modify their metabolic rates to “Furthermore, we show that both better cope with and thrive in waters plasticity and adaptation are key to high in carbon dioxide (CO2), which are preventing some species from suffering poisonous to other, often closely-related extinction in the face of on-going species. ocean acidification, and that these two strategies may be largely responsible in The study sheds new light on the defining the fate of marine biodiversity.” robustness of some marine species and the relative resilience of marine The results revealed that species biodiversity should atmospheric CO2 normally found inside the vent continue to cause ocean acidification. were better able to regulate their showed slightly higher metabolic rates metabolic rate when exposed to high and were much smaller in size – up to 80% smaller – indicating that adaptation A team of scientists led by Plymouth CO2 conditions, whilst species only University, and including colleagues found outside the vent were clearly comes at a cost of energy for growth. from the Naples Zoological Station in impaired by acidic waters. In fact, their Ischia; the Marine Ecology Laboratory either greatly decreased, Dr Calosi concluded that: ‘‘Ultimately, ENEA in La Spezia, Italy; the University of indicating reduced energy production, species’ physiological responses to high CO , as those reported by our Texas Galveston; and the University of or greatly increased, indicating a surge 2 Hull, conducted a three-year research in the basic cost of living, in both cases study, may have repercussions on their project into the potential mechanisms making life inside the vent unsustainable. abundance and distribution, and thus on that species of polychaetes worm use to the structure and dynamics of marine communities. This in turn will impact live around the underwater CO2 vent of Dr Maria-Cristina Gambi, of the Naples Ischia in Southern Italy. Zoological Station in Ischia, explained: those ecosystem functions that humans “Despite some species showing the rely upon to obtain goods and services The researchers collected specimens ability to metabolically adapt and adjust from the ocean.” found in waters characterised by either to the extreme conditions that are found The research was funded by a Natural elevated or low levels of CO2, and inside the CO2 vents, others appear placed them in specially-constructed unable to physiologically cope with Environment Research Council ‘transplantation chambers’, which were such conditions. UK Ocean Acidification Research then lowered into areas both within and Programme grant, and an Assemble away from the volcanic vent. ‘‘In this sense, our findings could help Marine EU FP7 scheme, and is the first to explain mass extinctions of the past, of its kind to bring together both the They monitored the responses of the and potential extinctions in the future, physiological and genetic evidence for adaptation to elevated CO in a worms and found that one of the species as well as shed light on the resilience 2 multicellular organism that had been living inside the CO2 vent of some species to on-going ocean was physiologically and genetically acidification.” . adapted to the acidic conditions, whilst The findings were published in the another was able to survive inside the The team also found that those species Philosophical Transactions of the Royal vent by adjusting its metabolism. adapted to live inside the CO vent Society B, online on the 26th of August 2 2013. 09 RESEARCH NEW BIO-IMAGING TECHNOLOGY PEERS INTO THE HEART OF EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT By Dr Oliver Tills ([email protected]), Research Fellow (BiaDEV Project) Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre

Scientists using a pioneering astounding variation within species of heritability in the timing of foot bio-imaging system to record and show that event timing during early attachment and crawling.” simultaneously the development of development is heritable.” hundreds of aquatic embryos have Professor John Spicer, also of Plymouth discovered significant parent-offspring Snail embryos were placed in tiny little University, added: “These results similarities in the timing and sequence of aquaria and their development recorded challenge how we understand the that development. in high definition three-dimensional interaction between development detail using time lapse photography. and evolution. They shed light on the Researchers at Plymouth University have The bio-imaging setup enabled the team potential origins of a pervasive feature found the timing of key developmental to pinpoint changes in the animal right in evolution – the difference in the milestones – such as the first beating through its body, so that they could timing of developmental events which is of the heart, formation of the eyes and record the precise timings of 12 key so evident between species. And that’s movement – differs markedly between developmental milestones such as the exciting.” individuals in a species of aquatic snail, formation of the eyes, of the shell, and but also that these timings appear to hatching, spread throughout its two The research team took the decision be heritable, i.e. they are passed from week embryonic development. to build the unique device after they mother to offspring. approached some of the world’s The team discovered marked similarities leading lens-makers and microscope The study, made possible by a purpose- between a parent and its offspring in all manufacturers, only to be told that built piece of kit combining a high depth 12 developmental events studied, and nothing existed that could do what they of focus lens more commonly found in two of these events – foot attachment wanted. The device they’ve created in aviation safety, a shutterless digital (the transition from gliding around the through support from the Marine camera, and a robotic microscope stage, egg using tiny hairs, to attaching to the Institute has a range of between 20 to sheds new light on the relationship inside of the egg using its muscular foot) 10,000 times magnification, and can between development and evolution. and crawling (the same behaviour you be used to study the development It was published in the Royal Society see in an adult snail) – the strength of of species ranging from single-cell journal Proceedings of the Royal Society this similarity was sufficiently strong that organisms to zebrafish, with up to 384 B on Wednesday 21st August. it indicated heritability. specimens in separate little aquaria at any one time. The research, carried out in the Marine Dr Simon Rundle, Associate Professor Biological and Ecology Research Centre, in Freshwater Ecology, said: “There Time lapse footage of the development has taken place over the past four years was clear evidence of similarities in of one of the embryos is available at as scientists carefully constructed and the timing of all 12 physiological and http://www.vimeo.com/channels/ refined their imaging set up. morphological developmental events embryonicdevelopment between parents and offspring, and Dr Oliver Tills, project lead, said: “The link between development and evolution has remained one of the key questions in biology. Science has long suspected that heterochrony – the altered timing of developmental events between ancestors and descendants – could be the main driver of evolutionary change, but studies have primarily focused on the differences in developmental events between species with the assumption that within species variation is negligible. What we have been able to do is bring to light the

10 ANNOUNCEMENTS

A Plymouth graduate, Gabriel Walton who graduated with a BSc Ocean Exploration in 2007, was involved in the uprighting of the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia. Gabriel, who works in Cornwall for ADUS DeepOcean carried out high resolution multibeam and laser surveys of the starboard side of the ship which has been resting on the rocks for 18 months. They also co-ordinated a team of aerial drones videoing the parbuckling.

Risks, tragedy and ultimate success outlined in a new book about allied war effort - the appalling tactical risks taken during a series of brutal battles which played a crucial role in the allied war effort are laid bare in a the book. Between Hostile Shores: Mediterranean Convoy Battles 1941–1942 – published by the University of Plymouth Press – features details of the difficult decisions, taken out of strategic necessity, to ensure Malta was defended against the axis powers during the Second World War. To buy a copy of the book, or to get more information about the series, visit: http://www.uppress.co.uk/nav

The Nominations for the 2013 Media Innovation Awards have been announced and 7 projects produced in Devon have re- ceived accolades, including Alexis Kirke from Plymouth University who has also received nominations for 2 projects entered in the Installation category Open Outcry (with Greg B Davis and Barclays Bank) and Sound Wave (with Samuel Freeman).

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