Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education. We combine state-of-the-art science, engineering, and ship operations to unravel the mysteries of the deep and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.
RECENT NEWS
WHOI senior scientist named 2024 MacArthur Fellow
Benjamin Van Mooy receives “genius grant” for his research on biogeochemical networks and the impacts of climate change on ocean health
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🫧 Immerse yourself in the beauty of #bioluminescence this weekend at a special #ARTECHOUSEDC x #WHOI exhibit! This #immersive #audiovisual experience highlights the nightly migration of marine animals that live in the #OceanTwilightZone, a mid-ocean ecosystem that`s critical to maintaining the health of our planet!
@thegeorgetowner calls the exhibit a “journey into the heart of our planet’s vital resources.” Get a glimpse of what to expect at the 🔗 in our profile– or just head over to @artechouse!
Oct 4
What happens to #seaweed when it sinks? A new #WHOI-led and @nsfgov-funded study found that #sargassum is becoming a food source for #deepsea #isopods! The rarely-seen crustacean`s snack of choice can tell us a lot about their role in easing climate change (and stinky beaches)– and even more about how they’ve adapted over time.
📲Dive into the @miamiherald story at the 🔗 in our profile!
📸: A close-up image of an isopod enjoying sargassum. Credit: @the_hentzoriginal ©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Oct 3
Wait... that`s not ALVIN!
#Throwback to December 11, 1968, when the crewed submersible SEA CLIFF (DSV-4) was christened by General Dynamics Corporation for @usnavy
Using a personnel sphere originally fabricated for the #Alvin submersible, SEA CLIFF was built after ALVIN proved its value to the oceanographic community in the early 60s. Its original maximum dive depth of 6,500 feet (2,000 m ) increased to 20,000 ft (6,100 m) in 1981, when it was refitted with a titanium sphere.
In 1998, the Navy gave the vehicle to #WHOI for possible use in conjunction with Alvin and for engineering purposes.
📸 courtesy of WHOI Archives
Oct 3
📣 Shout-out to #WHOI coastal #hydrogeologist Julia Guimond aka @muddy.lobster, who received the @geosociety Kohout Early Career Hydrogeology Award last week! 🎉
From New England to Alaska’s North Slope, Guimond’s research at the intersection of polar, groundwater, and ocean science continues to break new ground. In these images from a late summer 2024 field campaign in Alaska, Guimond is conducting an @nsfgov study of saltwater intrusion into Arctic coastal tundra. She also collected water samples in a #permafrost tunnel and convened a meeting of early career scientists in Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska, as part of a PerCS-Net (Permafrost Coastal Systems Network) project.
#earlycareer #hydrogeology #tundralife #gowiththeflow #NSFfunded
Oct 2
🤔Could increasing the ocean`s alkalinity help it take up more CO2 from the atmosphere? And even if so, is it safe and effective?
#WHOI scientist Adam Subhas, who is leading an investigation into these questions, shared his research goals during the recent @bostonglobe Summit.
📲 Watch the rest of the discussion at the 🔗 in bio!
#oceanclimatesolutions #mCDR #marinecarbondioxideremoval #oceanalkalinity
Oct 2
🤔 Why did 6 communities experience record-breaking storm surge during #HurricaneHelene`s rampage across Florida`s #GulfCoast?
As #WHOI physical oceanographer Chris Piecuch explains in @washingtonpost, the area has "seen anywhere from 9-10 or 12 inches of sea level rise over past the past century. If the same storm had hit two decades ago, there would have been a considerably lower water level there.”
📲 Get the full story at the 🔗 in our profile!
📸: A storm surge hits Gulfport, FL as Hurricane Helene passed through the Gulf of Mexico © Thomas Simonetti for The Washington Post
Oct 1
OUR WORK
WHOI is at the forefront of groundbreaking science and technology development, unlocking the mysteries of our ocean, its connections to life on Earth, and solutions it may hold to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
Our scientists and engineers lead more than 800 concurrent projects, tackling some of the most challenging and important problems of our time, from climate change and ocean pollution to sustainable food and energy production.
We operate a fleet of research vessels and vehicles, including two large ships (R/V Neil Armstrong and R/V Atlantis), a smaller coastal research vessel, the iconic human-occupied submersible Alvin, and dozens of other underwater robots.
Through our higher education programs, including the prestigious MIT-WHOI Joint Program, we train new generations of ocean scientists, engineers, and leaders-providing access to cutting edge facilities and unparalleled access to the sea.
WHOI plays a leading role in ocean communications, sharing our insights and knowledge about the ocean to the general public, policymakers, educators, and more, so we can make wise decisions about our ocean, our planet, and our future.
FEATURED PROJECTS
We have over 1,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff working around the globe and cutting edge laboratories to push the boundaries of knowledge about the ocean.
Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator
Bringing together industry, academia, and philanthropy to develop and accelerate new climate change solutions.
Ocean Twilight Zone
Exploring the globe-spanning region beneath the sunlit upper ocean where life thrives
Ocean Worlds
Discovering the links between life in our ocean and the search for life beyond Earth
Marine Microplastics Initiative
Investigating the fate of microplastics and their impacts on marine life and human health
Super Reefs
Searching for corals around the world to help ensure a future for reefs in a warming ocean
Ocean Observatories Initiative
The NSF-funded program measures physical, chemical, geological and biological properties from the seafloor to the air-sea interface.
HADEX
Research and exploration of the deepest parts of the ocean, Earth’s final frontier
Reef Solutions
Working to protect corals and reverse the global decline of reef ecosystems