January 2000

Indian Ocean Air Pollution (1/3/00)
Sooty particles called aerosols fill the air over the Indian Ocean. An international effort called the "Indian Ocean Experiment" measures how these aerosols may counteract warming from greenhouse gases.
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Alien Ocean (1/4/00)
On a clear night, with a pair of binoculars, you can see the moons of Jupiter -- including Europa. Images received from NASA space probes suggest that Europa's surface may be covered with ice -- and below that ice may be ocean
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Hardbottom Dredging (1/5/00)
Adding sand to a beach that's been washed away by a storm -- it's called "beach re-nourishment." But the process that nourishes a beach may not be healthy for the fishes that rely on "hardbottom" habitat near shore.
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Seabird By-catch (1/6/00)
The last thing that salmon fishermen in Washington state want to catch in their gill nets is seabirds. But all too often, diving birds get tangled and drown. Now scientists have some tips that will help keep the birds out of the nets
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Seal Worms (1/7/00)
Ever since the Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed, there are more seals around. But along with the seals, there's more of something else: "sealworms," a kind of parasite that also infects the fish you eat.
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CO-2 Threat to Coral (1/10/00)
Carbon dioxide from fossil fuels already affects corals indirectly, by contributing to global warming. Now there's new evidence that carbon dioxide gas also affects corals directly -- it dissolves into seawater and stunts their growth.
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A Cult of Swordfish (1/11/00)
The Chumash people once lived on California's Channel Islands, near modern-day Santa Barbara. Artifacts from archaeological digs reveal that the majestic swordfish played a key role in the Chumash culture.
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Ocean Sunfish (1/12/00)
Big and round, the ocean sunfish gets its scientific name, "mola" from the Latin word for "millstone." It's called "sunfish" for its habit of floating on the ocean's surface, apparently basking in the sun.
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Jellyfish and Hypoxia (1/13/00)
Did you go to the beach last summer? Was your refreshing dip spoiled by a swarm of stinging jellyfish? Think about this: Scientists say that human actions may create the conditions that allow jellyfish to thrive.
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Salmon Sense (1/14/00)
Salmon hatch in streams and rivers, then swim far out to sea. Years later they find their way back to their home streams, navigating only by sense of smell. Now scientists are discovering exactly how salmon learn to follow their noses.
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Mega-Teeth (1/17/00)
You can learn a lot from a tooth -- especially a fossil tooth from the ancient jaw of the largest shark ever to roam the seas. Today, the story of Megalodon, whose bite makes the great white shark look like a great big wimp.
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What's in a Name? (1/18/00)
The common mussel. As its name suggests, it's, well, common. Scientists thought they knew all there was to know about this bivalve. But only recently did we learn that what we called a single species is actually three.
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African Dust and Coral (1/19/00)
In the Caribbean, coral face one more problem: mats of fast-growing algae that smother the reefs. What makes the algae grow so fast? Wind-born dust from Africa may act like a fertilizer.
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Down the Drain (1/20/00)
Think of the ocean as a big bathtub, with water flowing in from the taps -- and water running out drown the drain. Scientists used to think that "water in" was equal to "water out." Now they say the tub is going dry -- but slowly
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Antifreeze Fish (1/21/00)
In cold weather your car needs antifreeze in the radiator. Antarctic cod that swim in freezing water come equipped with their own natural antifreeze -- thanks to a mistake by Mother Nature.
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Delayed Reaction (1/24/00)
Some kinds of pollution kill fish outright -- spilled oil, say, or acid waste. Today, the story of pollutants that act more subtly. They mimic natural hormones. And the fish don't feel their effects for months.
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Seahorse Husbandry (1/25/00)
Picture an animal the size of a salt shaker, with the head of a horse . . . and the tail of a dragon. It's a seahorse. Unfortunately, these enchanting creatures are in trouble. But "Project Seahorse" is galloping to the rescue.
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Seahorse Solutions (1/26/00)
Things sound grim for seahorses. They get ground up to make medicine, or dried to make tacky souvenirs, or captured for the aquarium trade. But it's not all bad news. Today, learn what you can do to help.
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Pfiesteria Perspective (1/27/00)
Can you define "Pfiesteria?" If you can, you know more than most people. This toxic algae kills fish. And according to a recent survey, Pfiesteria may have a deadly effect on the tourist industry as well.
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Solitary Killers (1/28/00)
It used to be, if you travelled on a ferry boat, you resigned yourself to a slow trip. Today high speed ferries have changed the pace of sea travel. But progress has come at a price, in the form of "killer waves" or solitons.
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A Better View (1/31/00)
To learn about the Earth, you sometimes need to take a big step back -- out into space. Scientists are using new satellite technology to learn how humans affect the ocean, by measuring ocean productivity and pollution from space.
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February 2000

3-in-1 Coral (2/1/00)
Boulder coral may grow in three shapes: round lumps, columns, or flat plates. We used to think the coral's shape was a function of how much sunlight reached it through the water -- till one scientist made an accidental discovery.
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Death of a Pest (2/2/00)
Not long ago, a marine worm from South Africa showed up in California. This worm attacked native snails, causing hideous deformities. To vanquish the pest, one scientists took tips from doctors who study human diseases.
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Nauticisms -1 (2/3/00)
Did you know that many of the expressions used in everyday speech have their origins in the sea? Clear the decks and batten down the hatches -- we'll soon have you talking like an old salt instead of a landlubber.
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Unusual Dolphin Deaths (2/4/00)
Bottlenose dolphins eat fish. Unfortunately, a dolphin may get something extra with its meal -- a fish hook and some line. Recreational fishing gear has been a factor in several recent dolphin deaths.
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Flavors of Nitrogen (2/7/00)
Let's say you want to bake a cake. The amount of sugar you add is important -- but so is the KIND of sugar: White or brown. The same principles actually hold when you add nitrogen to the ocean.
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People and Coasts (2/8/00)
Half the people in the United States live on the coast. In fact, the number of people living in coastal areas is on the rise around the world. With so many people heading for the coast, that puts a stress on coastal ecosystems.
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Damselfish Study (2/9/00)
What keeps fish populations from getting too big? Or look at the question in another way: What keeps fish populations from going extinct? There's new experimental evidence that predators regulate fish population sizes.
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The Gully (2/10/00)
There's a place off the coast of Nova Scotia where the floor of the ocean drops by as much as a mile -- where whales and dolphins congregate. Here, scientists are using new technology to gather information that was once out of reach.
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The Goldilocks Dilemma (2/11/00)
You know the story of Goldilocks and the three bears: one bed was too big, one was too small, and one was just right? The same is true for ocean nutrients: You need not too much, not too little, but just the right amount.
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Reserve Protects Fish (2/14/00)
There's a movement afoot to create a new "ecological reserve" off the coast of Florida. Fishing will NOT be allowed here. That sounds like bad news for fishermen, but in fact, fishermen may benefit.
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Rockfish Born Alive (2/15/00)
An expert on rockfish describes their unusual reproductive habits. Fertilization is internal, and the embryos develop INSIDE the female fish -- a type of development that's far more common in land-dwelling mammals.
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Global Ocean Observing (2/16/00)
After a conference in 1992, the United Nations made a recommendation of global proportions: Scientists should set up a Global Observing Network. It would include everything from ships and buoys to satellites.
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Ecosystem Foundations (2/17/00)
There's more to a play than what you see onstage. People behind the scenes take care of the music, the sound, and the lighting. It's the same in the ocean, where some of the most important animals are not in the spotlight.
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California Coastal Warming (2/18/00)
The seabirds called sooty shearwaters live in the open ocean. Once, you could find millions of them off the coast of California. Today, populations are down 90 percent -- because of recent "sea-surface warming."
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Oil Platform as Preserve (2/21/00)
Some of the oil drilling platforms off the coast of California have reached the end of their economic lifespan. Should they be removed? If fish could vote, they'd cast ballots to keep those platforms in place.
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Black Coral Harvest (2/22/00)
At a tropical shop, you're tempted to buy a stunning necklace made of glossy black coral. Before you buy, know the facts behind the fashion: All 150 species of black coral have been listed as "commercially threatened."
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Species Mapping (2/23/00)
Roads are red, and oceans are blue . . . ." You can find these color-coded cues on any road map. On today's show, you'll meet a scientist who makes unique maps of the ocean as well as the animals that live in it.
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SEA-WIFS Technology (2/24/00)
One way you can study the ocean is to dive right in. But you can also study the ocean from space. That's what the satellite called SEA-WIFS does. The information it gathers paints a very colorful picture
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Nauticisms - 2 (2/25/00)
The English language has a rich marine heritage -- many of the expressions that sailors used long ago are still in use today. On today's show, we'll try not to go overboard as we show you the ropes.
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Wild Ocean (2/28/00)
You've probably visited some of America's spectacular national parks. Today, a review of a new book by ocean scientist Dr. Sylvia Earle that celebrates the beauty of another classic American landscape -- the one underneath the sea.
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9 An Ocean in Colorado (2/29/00)
The city of Denver, Colorado, is high in the Rocky Mountains. But it's built on rocks that were once the floor of an ancient sea. Last summer, the ocean returned to Denver -- in the form of a major new aquarium.
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March 2000

Real Navy Seals (3/1/00)
Maybe you've heard of the "Navy Seals" -- an elite corps of highly trained underwater demolition experts. But did you know that in addition to training two-legged Seals, the U.S. Navy ALSO trains sea lions and dolphins?
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Sea Lion 911 (3/2/00)
The U.S. Navy trains sea lions to help retrieve equipment underwater. But occasionally, these expert divers have other assignments. One time, a Navy sea lion actually helped to solve a murder!
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Heyerdahl Prize (3/3/00)
The Norwegian Shipowners' Association has established a new environmental award. It's named for Dr. Thor Heyerdahl, Norway's most famous ocean explorer, a man who has helped raise awareness of ocean pollution.
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Making Waves (3/6/00)
One listener wants to know, "How are waves generated?" The wind blowing over the water is what makes most waves, but sometimes underwater earthquakes or volcanoes can trigger a massive "tidal wave" or tsunami.
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Marine Mammal Center (3/7/00)
In the spring of 1998, beach-goers in Monterey, California, watched in horror as California sea lions suffered violent seizures. Tracking down the cause of the sickness took a whole team of ocean detectives.
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Surf Perch (3/8/00)
The small, colorful fish known as "surf perch" have an unusual style of reproduction -- one that's usually reserved for mammals. The young fish grow inside their mother, absorbing nutrients from her body fluids.
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Trashing Turtles (3/9/00)
Endangered loggerhead turtles routinely eat bits of floating plastic. The trouble is, the stuff adds bulk to their diet, but not nutrients. One study showed young turtles may not get enough calories to grow normally.
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Ocean Asteroid Evidence (3/10/00)
It's an ancient question: Why did the dinosaurs die, 65 million years ago? Scientists say the evidence points to an asteroid that smashed into the Earth.ˆ New evidence from the bottom of the ocean supports this idea.
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Swimming with Sharks (3/13/00)
When dozens of leopard sharks gathered off La Jolla, California, last October, some people waded right in to swim with them. Why did the sharks gather so near the shore? It's still a mystery to scientists.
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Warm Wetsuit (3/14/00)
Ice-cold water on your skin . . . it can chill you to the bone. Most scuba divers stay warm by wearing either "wetsuits" or "dry suits." Now there's some hot news from the U.S. Navy about a scuba suit that makes its own heat
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Contaminated Sediments (3/15/00)
Massive container ships need deep-water ports to anchor in. No wonder dredging is a common practice. The trouble is, dredging can release toxic contaminants that were stored in the bottom sediments.
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Rehab Pros and Cons (3/16/00)
The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, is America's largest marine mammal rehabilitation center. Today, a look at what we learn from seals and sea lions when we lend a helping hand.
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Tar on the Beach (3/17/00)
Sticky tar on the beach in Santa Barbara -- must be an oil spill, right? Actually, the oil could also come from a natural seep. The Native Americans who once lived here used the sticky stuff as a kind of all-purpose adhesive.
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Moon and Tides - 1 (3/20/00)
A listener asks: How does the moon affect the tides? The moon's gravity pulls on the ocean and makes it bulge. Meanwhile, underneath the ocean, the Earth is spinning. When you move through the bulge, that's high tide.
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Moon and Tides - 2 (3/21/00)
Yesterday was the first day of spring. The moon was full. And in coastal areas, a "spring high tide" washed up on shore. But that name is a little misleading. You actually get "spring high tides" in EVERY month of the year.
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Moon and Tides - 3 (3/22/00)
The moon cycles through its phases in about 29 days. This lunar cycle affects the daily tides. But there are OTHER lunar cycles that can affect the tides, and one of them takes almost two decades to complete.
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Louisiana Sea Level (3/23/00)
In coastal Louisiana, wetlands are disappearing faster than a pot of jambalaya at a Mardi Gras feast. Since 1930 the state has lost an expanse of low-lying wetlands larger than the entire state of Rhode Island.
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Recycled Fishing Line (3/24/00)
The Berkley company is a world leader in the manufacturing of fishing line -- and also in its recycling. The company turns 10 million miles of fishing line a year into "Fish Habs" -- artificial habitat that attracts and shelters fish.
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Manatee Hearing (3/27/00)
You see signs on Florida waterways that say: "Go slow, manatees." The speed limits are to prevent boats from colliding with these slow-swimming marine mammals. But new research shows boats may be unsafe at ANY speed.
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Mercury Munchers (3/28/00)
One waste product of some manufacturing processes is mercury. This heavy metal is extremely toxic. Today, you'll hear about an innovative way to clean up contaminated water -- with bacteria that munch on mercury.
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Beached Bird Survey (3/29/00)
Some people go beach-combing for driftwood or seashells. Today's show is about a project in Washington State where enthusiastic volunteers comb the beaches for something quite different: Dead birds.
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Sharks Don't Hibernate (3/30/00)
During the summer, you often spot basking sharks in the English Channel, lazing at the water's surface. But in the winter these big sharks disappear. Do they hibernate, as scientists once thought? New research says, "no."
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April Fool's Fish (3/31/00)
Tomorrow is April first -- April Fool's Day. But we're not fooling when we tell you there's a fish called the "sarcastic fringehead." And we're STILL not making this up when we say the fish makes a home inside old beer bottles.
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April 2000

Methane Hydrate (4/3/00)
It looks just like ice . . . yet you can burn it as fuel. What is it? Methane hydrate. This frozen gas, found in deep-ocean sediments, is the focus of new research efforts. It holds promise as an energy source -- but also some risks.
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Energy from Algae (4/4/00)
Most of the energy you use is generated by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or gas. That generates greenhouse gases. Today's show is about a promising new source of energy that releases NO greenhouse gases: Algae.
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Ocean Diseases (4/5/00)
In recent decades, scientists have documented what seems to be a significant increase in the number of disease epidemics that affect ocean life. Are ocean epidemics REALLY on the rise? Today's show explores the evidence.
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Mapping Corals (4/6/00)
Back in 1998 the United States established a Coral Reef Task Force. This group is working to map and monitor every coral reef in the United States, using everything from ships and divers to satellites.
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"Ground Truth" (4/7/00)
Satellites circle the globe every day, collecting images of Earth's surface. To make sense of these images, you need something called "ground truth," where you measure what's happening down on the ground . . . or, in the ocean.
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New Sea Squirt (4/10/00)
They seem like lowly life forms -- simple blobs that stick to rocks and piers. Yet of all the sea creatures without backbones, sea squirts are OUR closest relatives. No wonder scientists are excited about the discovery of a new species.
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Hudson's Bay Bears (4/11/00)
In winter the sea ice creeps across Canada's Hudson Bay, and the polar bears follow. The ice is a platform from which the bears hunt for their favorite food -- seals. But now, the hunting grounds seem to be melting down.
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Fertilize the Ocean (4/12/00)
The idea sounds simple: Drizzle fertilizer into a patch of open ocean, and the almost-barren water will bloom with phytoplankton that take up carbon dioxide -- relieving global warming. Can this grand idea really work?
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Argo Program (4/13/00)
A Greek myth tells of a here named Jason who sailed the ocean in a ship called the Argo, on a quest for the golden fleece. Today, the story of a modern-day Jason and Argo. Their quest? Find a better way to predict Earth's climate.
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Basking Shark Protection (4/14/00)
When an animal is 30 feet long, with a mouth the size of a manhole cover, you'd have to say it's hard to miss. Yet basking sharks have been almost ignored by regulatory agencies. Now they're finally in the spotlight.
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Atlantis of the Iguanas (4/17/00)
The Greek philosopher Plato told stories of Atlantis -- a chain of lovely islands that sank to the bottom of the ocean. Today, the story of a lost-and-found island chain that scientists are calling, "The Atlantis of the Iguanas."
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Coral Flypaper (4/18/00)
You've heard of flypaper -- it's the sticky stuff you hang from the ceiling to kill flies. Well, now there's a new invention called "coral flypaper." You hang THIS stuff over a coral reef. And it's not a killer, it's a conservation tool.
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Dolphin Gangs (4/19/00)
Researchers who study the bottlenose dolphins of Shark Bay, Australia, say the males team up in small groups that can only be described as "gangs." What's more, two gangs may work together to defeat a rival.
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Veined Rapa Whelk (4/20/00)
A predatory snail from the Sea of Japan has somehow made its way to the Chesapeake Bay -- perhaps carried in the ballast tanks of freighters. Now the veined rapa whelk is munching its way through the native clams.
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Earth Day (4/21/00)
Tomorrow is "Earth Day." But this planet is more than two-thirds water, so around here, we call that holiday "Ocean Day." But don't limit your celebrations: We've got five tips for you on how to make EVERY day Ocean Day.
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GO-MOOS (4/24/00)
Since the moose is the state animal of Maine, you might assume that "GO-MOOS" is a Univerity of Maine football cheer. In fact, it's the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System -- and scientists are the ones cheering this new observatory.
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Under Pressure (4/25/00)
The compound called T-M-A-O is nothing if not versatile. It's what gives seafood a fishy smell. It keeps marine animals from loosing water. And it helps creatures to survive the enormous pressure of the deep ocean.
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Deep-water Corals (4/26/00)
Deep-water corals are more common than scientists once thought. And like their shallow water cousins, deep-ocean corals create habitat for other life forms. But deep reefs are threatened by fishing and oil drilling.
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Fishing Down the Food Chain (4/27/00)
Cod in the Gulf of Maine have been fished out. So their prey -- lobsters -- are now more plentiful . . . AND more important to the fishing industry. This phenomenon is called "fishing down the food chain."
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Sea Urchin Story (4/28/00)
Once more than 1,500 fisherman made a living selling Maine sea urchins to Japan. Today the urchins are almost gone -- and the kelp they used to graze on is growing like crazy. Can the urchins make a comeback?
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May 2000

Hawaiian Reserves (5/1/00)
Not long ago, nine marine reserves were established on Hawaii's Kona Coast. You can imagine that the people who collect reef fish here for the aquarium trade might object . . . except the collectors had a hand in the plan.
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Red Tide Hotline (5/2/00)
If you live near the coast, you know that one of life's simple pleasures is colelcting your own clams or mussels for a seafood dinner. But before you grab your rubber boots and a bucket, remember to check the red-tide hotline.
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History of Cod Fishing (5/3/00)
Today's show brings you a brief history of cod fishing in New England. Things have changed since the 1600s, when the big fish were so numerous they "vexed" the ships of European explorers.
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Salmon in the Trees (5/4/00)
You probably know that salmon migrate. They hatch in fresh-water streams, grow up in the ocean, then swim back upstream to breed. But did you know salmon keep moving after they're dead? And that they end up in trees?
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Better Beach Testing (5/5/00)
It's the time of year when you plan your summer vacation. And Chances are, your plans include a trip to the beach. But is it safe to go in the water? A new program launched by the US EPA aims to help prevent pollution.
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Structural Marsh Management (5/8/00)
The state of Louisian loses an area of wetland the size of a football field each day. You can see why managing coastal marshes is a priority in the state. But one common managment practice may be counterproductive.
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Dolphin Captive Breeding (5/9/00)
In the United States, many aquariums now have bottlenose dolphins on exhibit. Behind the scenes, these aquariums are collaborating to conduct captive breeding programs -- with striking success.
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When Whales Fly (5/10/00)
You know what it's like to make travel arrangements for yourself. So just imagine if you had to book a flight for a whale! Today you'll hear from an expert at the Shedd Aquarium about what it takes to make whales fly.
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Drowning in the South Pacific (5/11/00)
A few months ago, the South Pacific state of Kiribati enjoyed global fame as the first place on Earth to greet the new millennium. But residents here fear their island nation may not survive to the end of the 21st century.
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Contaminated Sediments (5/12/00)
Most US seaports have to be dredged occasionally. The trouble is, ten precent of the sediments dredged each year are badly contaminated. Today, a case history of contamination: New Bedford Harbor.
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Glow with the Flow (5/15/00)
When they're disturbed -- say, by the flash of a fish tail or the bow wave of a boat, the microscopic algae called dinoflagellates bioluminesce -- that is to say, they light up. Can designers use this property to learn to build better boats?
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The History of Diving (5/16/00)
Today, high-tech equipment makes scuba diving safe and comfortable -- but it wasn't always so. The history of humans breathing underwater ranges from from hollow reeds in ancient Persia to modern regulators.
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Timing Your Swim (5/17/00)
You're on vacation, and ready for a refreshing morning dip. Before you grab your towel and head for the bech, consider this: New research suggests the water may be cleaner if you wait till the afternoon.
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Phragmites Expansion (5/18/00)
Grass doesn't always grow in a velvety lawn. One kind of grass grows 15 feet tall. It's called Phragmites, and from a conservationist's perspective, this grass can be one of the good guys -- or one of the bad guys.
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9 Reserve Experiment (5/19/00)
After lengthy review, Hawaii has signed into law "Rule 306." One outcome has been the creation of nine new marine reserves along the Kona Coast. The fascinating thing is, the borders of these reserves are not fixed.
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Trojan Gene (5/22/00)
Some fish farms are experimenting with genetically engineered salmon. These fish grow big very fast. But one scientist calls their extra gene a "Trojan gene." Like the famous Trojan horse, it hides something dangerous.
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Incredible Mr. Limpet (5/23/00)
Do you remember that old movie? It was a funny choice for a name, because the character named "Mr. Limpet" was actually a fish. On today's show you'll hear about limpets -- and why they really are incredible.
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Do Fish Sleep? (5/24/00)
Now, there's a question that could keep you up at night. But don't worry, on today's show we'll lay the issue to rest as we look at how an animal that has no eyelids manages to catch some shut-eye.
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No Minor Spills (5/25/00)
Dr. William Sydeman, the director of marine science at the Point Reyes Bird Observatory has studied how oil spills affect seabirds along the California coast. His conclusion: "There's no such thing as a minor oil spill."
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New Microbe Detector (5/26/00)
When you go for a swim, or when you drink a glass of water, you assume that water is safe . . . and usually, it is. But standard tests to detect diseases do have limits. That's why scientists are developing a new way to test water.
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Effects of Beach Grooming (5/29/00)
In southern California a full 80 percent of the coastline is sandy beach. And many of these beaches are raked or groomed regularly. That's nice for sunbathers -- but it's devastating to other beach dwellers.
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Small Stingers (5/30/00)
If you go for a swim off the coast of Queensland Australia, you might worry about the great white sharks that often cruise these waters. But your biggest danger is probably a creature the size of your thumbnail: A toxic jellyfish.
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Cut Off in Their Prime (5/31/00)
In Southern Portugal, one popular snack is a beer and a dish of crab claws. So, as you might expect, the local fiddler crab populations are declining. Yet it's NOT because fishermen are killing too many.
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June 2000

Mussel Welcome Mat (6/1/00)
Today, the story of a mussel that weaves mats on the ocean floor. These mats actually CREATE habitat for other forms of ocean life -- and that sounds like a good thing. But the full story is a bit tangled.
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Bahamas Reserves (6/2/00)
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas has taken an important step to protect its gorgeous coral reefs. Five new marine reserves are on the drafting board. They're the first step in an ambitious program of protection.
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Whale Shark (6/5/00)
As their name suggests, great white sharks are big -- up to 20 feet long. Did you know there's a shark that's TWICE as big, with thousands of teeth? It's called a whale shark -- and people actually WANT to swim with it.
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Gasping in the Chesapeake - 1 (6/6/00)
In summer, excess nutrients make algae grow in Chesapeake Bay. When these algae sink to the bottom and decay, they use up oxygen. That can create problems for fish -- but not always in the way you might expect
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Gasping in the Chesapeake - 2 (6/7/00)
Tiny fish larvae tolerate low oxygen conditions at the bottom of the Chesapeake, while predators, such as striped bass, head for the surface. But the coast is not clear for fish larvae. Hungry jellyfish still hang around.
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Plankton Wars (6/8/00)
Last fall the Ukrainian security service accused four scientists of exporting state secrets. Why? They were merely studying ocean plankton. But you can detect submarines by the trails they leave through bioluminescent plankton.
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Aquarius (6/9/00)
Next week, a team of scientists will unpack their gear at a unique field station: It's underwater! The facility is called Aquarius, and it's off the coast of Florida. We'll tell you how you can chat with scientists 60 feet below the surface.
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Oil and Coral Don't Mix (6/12/00)
In the North Sea, certain oil-drilling rigs will sone be removed, a step that some environmentalists applaud. But there's an ironic twist to the story: These structures are encrusted with a protected species of coral.
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Crab Parasite (6/13/00)
There's no such thing as a vampire, but the parasite called Hematodinium sounds even creepier: It gets INSIDE its victims and consumes their blood. The victims are crabs, no people -- but people are still worried.
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Acoustic Eye (6/14/00)
Imagine you're a diver, working in muddy, turbid water. You can barely see your hand in front of your face. An ordinary camera is useless here. Luckily there's a new acoustic camera that sees right through the murk -- using sound.
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A Delicate Problem (6/15/00)
What do you do when you're out on a boat, you're hours from shore, and the boat has no "head," or bathroom? The situation may be even more urgent than you think. Most cases of shellfish contamination are caused this way.
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Oyster Test (6/16/00)
On the coast, oyster beds are monitored to detect contamination by bacteria. But these tests do NOT detect certain harmful viruses. A new test may someday reduce the risk when you eat raw oysters.
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July 2000

What Is Coral? (7/17/00)
A coral reef can look like an underwater city with towers made of stone... or a beautiful garden full of colorful flowers. Time for Twenty Questions: is coral animal, vegetable or mineral?
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Combatting Copapods (7/18/00)
When isects attack a farmer's crops, he may spray an insecticde. Fish farmers also use insecticides to kill fish parasites called sea lice. Trouble is, insecticides kill more than the pests they target.
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Fatty Food For Polar Bears (7/19/00)
You've heard what doctors recommend: you should eat a diet that's low in fat. The prescription is quite different for one ocean animal. Its good health DEPENDS on heaping servings of high-fat foods.
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Viruses And The Ocean (7/20/00)
When I say "virus" you probably think of something harmful: a germ that causes disease, or a program that takes over your computer. Today, you'll hear how viruses actually play an essential role -- in the ocean.
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White Abalone (7/21/00)
On the ocean floor off the coast of California you'll find the white abalone: a large snail with a large following -- among gourmets, that is. So many people have proclaimed it delicious that the white abalone is on the edge of extinction.
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Nets That Let Fish Go (7/24/00)
Fishing the open seas with giant nets is not an exact science. Despite regulations on mesh size, trawls catch almost everything in their path. Now, new designs for fishing nets let small fish escape.
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Lampreys (7/25/00)
If Dracula kept an aquarium, he might stock it with the primitive fish called sea lampreys. They look like eels, but they act like vampires. Native to the Atlantic Ocean, these fish now thrive in the fresh water of the Great Lakes.
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Lamprey Eradication (7/26/00)
The best-laid plans of men and women can make nature go awry. For example, locks and canals let sea lampreys into the Great Lakes, along with the shipping trade. Getting rid of the lampreys is another job entirely.
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Seasickness (7/27/00)
The waves rock the boat... up... and down... and up... and down... and your last meal starts to do a tap dance in your stomach. Your friends tell you to "look at the horizon." Why would that help?
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SWATH Ship (7/28/00)
It's bad enough to get seasick when you're on vacation. What if your work takes you out on the waves? Some ocean scientists use sensitive equipment on rocking boats. That's why the smooth-riding vessel called the "SWATH ship" was developed.
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Arctic Pollution (7/31/00)
Mother's milk. What could be better for baby? But for native people in the Arctic, there's a problem. Pollutants carried on by wind and currents reach the Arctic Ocean and move up the food chain.
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Bryozoan Beach (8/1/00)
You've heard the saying "small things matter." That's true in Florida, where scientists worked to protect a creature that lives on grains of sand. Today, the "David and Goliath" story of bryozoans and the beach.
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Voyage Of The Beagle (8/2/00)
When the naturalist Charles Darwin traveled around the world on the sailing ship HMS Beagle, he went to great lengths to describe everything he saw.
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Submarine Safari (8/3/00)
Thirty years ago The Beatles sang about a Yellow Submarine. Today, unless you join the Navy, living in a submarine is still a fantasy. But you CAN make a short trip. Come along on a submarine safari.
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Seabird Spotlight (8/4/00)
What's in a name? More than one meaning, when you're talking about the tiny seabirds called storm petrels. Let's take a look at where the name "petrel" comes from -- and why these birds are also called "Mother Carey's Chickens."
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Eelgrass Limpet (8/7/00)
Let's ask a classic philosophical question with an ocean twist. When a snail goes extinct in the seagrass, does anybody notice? The answer is "no." The next question is "Why not?"
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Secret Life Of The Oarfish (8/8/00)
Wherever sailors gather, you'll hear stories of sea monsters: long, snakelike creatures that swim in sinuous loops. These ancient tales of sea serpents may have their origin in real sightings of one of the world's rarest fish.
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Secret Life Of The Oarfish (8/9/00)
You've heard the saying, "There's a limit to everything." This saying may be generally true. But when it comes to the ocean floor, traditional wisdom has been turned topsy-turvy.
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Stromatolites (8/10/00)
Scientists call them stromatolites. You find them in shallow, salty water. They're dark and lumpy, like oversized heads of broccoli. Are they alive -- or are they simply caught between a rock and a hard place?
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