Steneck Talks with MPBN About Alga Research

University of Maine marine scientist Bob Steneck spoke with the Maine Public Broadcasting Network about his recent alga research. Steneck is part of an international team studying arctic algae for answers about the world’s changing oceans. The researchers say recent experiments conducted on algae growing in coral-like reefs in Alaskan waters indicate the ocean has been acidifying at a rate that corresponds with rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere since the 19th century, according to the report. “The coralline alga can tell us something about ocean acidification, it can tell us about ocean composition. We’re learning a lot about the changing ocean conditions over the last one to 200 years,” said Steneck. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Polar Field Services also published an article on Steneck’s research.