Rising Tides Newsletter - October 2022
Warming oceans likely to shrink the viable habitat for many animals – but not all
In this Nature Climate Change study, Brad Seibel and his former student Matt Birk drill down into the relationship between oxygen, temperature and the metabolic requirements of vertical migrators. It turns out that they buck the basic narrative about animal response to warming oceans, which Seibel says is an over-simplification.
The Thwaites Glacier study breaks records 
The publication led by Ali Graham achieved record-breaking news coverage around the globe. In case you missed it: check out our story. Not only does the work feature the highest-resolution images ever taken of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (with startling implications!) but now, according to Altimetric, the paper is ranked 2nd, for coverage and exposure, of any Nature Geoscience paper ever published. It has been downloaded 60,000 times. Congrats, Ali!
Joining forces to solve the mysteries of Florida’s red tides
See how three CMS labs and the glider fleet team joined forces on a serendipitous cruise so they can get closer to answering decades-old questions about red tides. 
Keeping our eyes on hurricanes
Stay tuned for a special issue of Rising Tides dedicated to our work in coastal resiliency, with a spotlight on the Flood Hub. The issue will include a story about how our research teams are responding to Hurricane Ian. For now, enjoy this story, written before Ian hit the Gulf coast.  
Help us spread the word! CMS is recruiting two new chemical oceanographers
The Clam goes solar
The Clam Bayou Marine Education Center, operated by the CMS and owned by the City of St. Petersburg, is going solar thanks to the generosity of Drs. Peter and Susan Betzer. 

Lessons learned in the North Pacific

Read Caitlyn Parente’s blog about her first research cruise experience. Way to go, Caitlyn! Excerpt: “I look forward to what lies ahead in my academic career, and I’m thrilled by the idea of a lifetime spent studying the ocean. I know seven-year-old Caitlyn would be, too.”
ICYMI: Carlyn Scott is in Palmer Station
Stay tuned on Instagram to hear more from Carlyn, who says her trip across the Drake Passage was … calm! She’ll be keeping us posted on her progress from Palmer, where she’ll be through December working with Dr. David Murphy (USF Engineering) on the schooling behavior of Antarctic krill. We are grateful for the additional help on Instagram from Jess Van Vaerenbergh.
Honoring Bob Byrne

The CMS has a new fellowship: the Robert H. Byrne Endowed Fellowship in Marine Chemistry! This fellowship was established by Bob’s sons, Marc and Adam, Adam's wife Elise, sister Major Tricia Byrne and Drs. Susan and Peter Betzer. It honors Bob for his pioneering efforts to better understand ocean chemistry and for his tireless dedication to fostering the future generation of earth scientists and stewards. The fund will offer merit-based fellowships to full-time graduate students pursuing a Marine Chemistry degree at the CMS who are starting their second year. 

Links below for the video.


  • The annual Fellowship & Awards Ceremony will be held on November 17th in the University Student Center Ballroom on the St. Petersburg campus, 5:30-7pm. CMS faculty, researchers, students, and staff: please fill out the form located here.
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