Differences Between Oceans and Continents (Part 1)
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater talks about the very different ways in which oceans and continents are formed and how each changes over time.
Differences Between Oceans and Continents (Part 2)
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater compares the relatively neat sea floor with continents, which she terms a "mess." She attributes these differences to the predictable and "tidy" process of seafloor spreading, as ..
Dirty Water: Eutrophication
Among the greatest threats to estuaries and other closed bodies of water is eutrophication. This is the process by which abnormally high levels of nutrients are introduced into the environment. This can create an imbalan..
Dirty Water: Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
Many scientists are convinced that there is a connection between global climate change and the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Those who believe that global warming is a real and serious problem often cite ..
Dirty Water: Marine Absorption of Carbon Dioxide
Many scientists believe that the greenhouse gas problem would be far worse today if the ocean didn't absorb as much carbon dioxide as it does. Some in the scientific community are looking into the feasibility of increasi..
Dirty Water: Oceanic Clues About Climate Change
Many scientists believe they can better understand today's climate patterns by comparing them to those from the past. One way to do this is by examining ancient sediment samples.
Dirty Water: Pollution in Bays and Estuaries
Among the areas hardest hit by marine pollution are bays and estuaries which, under normal circumstances, are extraordinarily productive. Estuaries are vulnerable to more than just oil spills and harbor development. They..
Dirty Water: Toxic Metallic Compounds
Along with oil and excess nutrients, toxic metallic compounds can also make their way to the marine environment and cause damage that may be passed along through the food web.
Dirty Water: Urban Runoff
The amount of oil that reaches the ocean from urban runoff and other terrestrial sources greatly exceeds the oil that comes from tanker spills.
Due West: Aliso Creek
Aliso Creek, located in Orange County, California, has a consistent beach pollution problem due to rapid development of the upstream environment. As the watershed has been largely paved over, the water is prevented from ..