“Magical discovery moments” is how Dr. Samantha “Mandy” Joye describes scenes at the bottom of the ocean. Now, thanks to the BBC-produced documentary series Blue Planet II, we can get a glimpse of these discovery moments and join discussions about the ocean’s importance.
The series, narrated by David Attenborough, includes seven episodes about exploring the world’s ocean. Included in these episodes are footage featuring research by GoMRI-funded consortia Deep Pelagic Nekton Dynamics of the Gulf of Mexico (DEEPEND) and Ecosystem Impacts of Oil and Gas Inputs to the Gulf (ECOGIG).
Watch this video clip Brine Pool: Exploring an Alien World for Blue Planet II featuring oceanographers Drs. Sylvia Earl and Mandy Joye as they dive in a submersible and explore the bottom of the ocean.
This video is a part of Our Blue Planet, a joint venture between Alucia Productions and BBC Earth to get people talking about the ocean.
Resources:
- Video clip Brine Pool of Death is from the Blue Planet II Series The Deep, which features DEEPEND and ECOGIG research footage
- Video clips featuring Dr. Mandy Joye (ECOGIG director): The Future of the Oceans and Searching for Cures in the Deep Sea
- Websites for the BBC’s Blue Planet II and Alucia Productions
- Websites for DEEPEND and ECOGIG
Here are a few stories about GoMRI-funded research in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which includes DEEPEND and ECOGIG research:
- Two documentaries produced by Screenscope Dispatches from the Gulf are part of the PBS series Journey to Planet Earth.
- Science at Sea: Deep-Sea Research Informs Taxonomic Assessment of Gulf Fauna
- Smithsonian Features Research about Brittle Stars Helping Coral Recover from Oil Spill
- Discovering Vibrant, Dynamic Life in the Deep Gulf of Mexico
- Scientists on Alvin have Eyes on the Bottom of Deepwater Horizon Site
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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) is a 10-year independent research program established to study the effect, and the potential associated impact, of hydrocarbon releases on the environment and public health, as well as to develop improved spill mitigation, oil detection, characterization and remediation technologies. An independent and academic 20-member Research Board makes the funding and research direction decisions to ensure the intellectual quality, effectiveness and academic independence of the GoMRI research. All research data, findings and publications will be made publicly available. The program was established through a $500 million financial commitment from BP. For more information, visit https://gulfresearchinitiative.org/.
© Copyright 2010-2018 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) – All Rights Reserved. Redistribution is encouraged with acknowledgement to the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI). Please credit images and/or videos as done in each article. Questions? Contact web-content editor Nilde “Maggie” Dannreuther, Northern Gulf Institute, Mississippi State University (maggied@ngi.msstate.edu).