Pioneering techniques helps reveal how link between seaweed habitats and the seafloor may affect the global carbon cycling

Scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the Marine Biological Association (MBA) have used environmental DNA (eDNA) and ocean modelling to follow the dispersal of carbon rich seaweed material, to help improve understanding of natural climate change mitigation solutions provided by seaweed habitats and the patches of seafloor with which they are connected. Seaweed ’leaf … Read more

Plankton could hold key for understanding link between ocean pollution and human health

Plankton may offer a way to monitor historical marine pollution trends, and could be used to predict trends in human health, according to new research. Using samples from the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey, an international team of scientists have suggested that rising levels of manmade chemicals found in the ocean could be used to … Read more

Obituary: Dr Eve Southward

It is with deep sorrow that the Marine Biological Association announces the sad passing of Dr Eve Southward, Lankester Research Fellow at the MBA, who died peacefully on the morning of 2nd January 2023 after suffering a stroke. She was 92. Eve was an expert on marine worms, echinoderms and hydrothermal vent fauna as well … Read more

EU project MARCO-BOLO launched to better understand marine biodiversity decline and restore ocean health

A new EU project has been launched to improve how biodiversity is recorded and protected in marine and coastal environments. Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, MARCO-BOLO (MARine Coastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations) will structure and strengthen European coastal and marine biodiversity observation capabilities, linking them to global efforts to understand and restore ocean health. Coastal … Read more

Annual Science Talk and Annual General Meeting – November 22nd

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is how you, as a member, get to have your say in the running of The Marine Biological Association. You have the right to vote for those responsible for overseeing the delivery of our core aims and objectives as outlined in our Royal Charter. This years meeting will be taking place on the … Read more

Climate change driving changes of plankton in our ocean

Scientists have discovered that the heating up of the North Atlantic is causing plankton to shift and change in abundance, indicating a threat to the earth’s climate. Dr Clare Ostle, Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Research Fellow and Pacific Coordinator from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) led a study which reveals the transforming levels of plankton … Read more