Infra-red mapping of the skin suggests how the sample was preserved.
The deep sea, ancient proteins, Arctic research
11 October 2011
This week in the Planet Earth Podcast: how scientists find out about life in the oceans' deepest trenches; how identifying proteins from 50 milion year old reptile skin could help us store radioactive waste; and studying the effects of climate change in the Arctic.
Three years ago, a team of researchers led by UK scientists found fish living in some of the deepest ocean trenches on Earth, nearly five miles beneath the surface. Since then, they've explored other trenches around the world, in search of other deep-dwelling fish. Sue Nelson visits Oceanlab in Aberdeen to talk to one of the scientists involved to find out more.
She also meets another scientist from Oceanlab who's studying the effects of human activities on deep sea ecosystems.
Richard Hollingham speaks to a scientist from the University of Manchester and finds out that ancient reptile skin can reveal how ancient creatures evolved. He also discovers that it could even help clean up radioactive waste.
Listen
Click the play button above to listen now.
A full text transcript is available.
Finally, Ceri Lewis from the University Exeter sends her final report from the Catlin Arctic Survey. This week, she explains how she studies the effects of climate change on tiny marine creatures called copepods in truly freezing conditions.
If there's a subject you'd like to hear about in the Planet Earth Podcast, don't forget to let us know. Email your ideas to editors@nerc.ac.uk or if you're on Facebook or Twitter, contact us there – see the links below.
Keywords:
Arctic,
Atlantic Ocean,
Environmental change,
Geology,
Oceans,
Pacific Ocean,
Polar,
Interesting? Spread the word using the 'share' menu on the top right.
