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Marine Studies Initiative Student Research

Purrs, Moans and Shrieks from the Deep

In their foraging grounds of the dark, frigid waters in southeast Alaska’s Fredrick Sound, humpback whales are calling to one another with “purrs,” “shrieks,” “wops” and “moans.” To find out why they speak and what they might be saying, Oregon State University graduate student Michelle Fournet is listening.

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Earth Healthy Planet Marine Studies Initiative

Forms from the Sea

Angelicque White’s science is strictly down to Earth. The assistant professor in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences aims to reveal how plankton consume and release nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus and how, in turn, these abundant organisms respond to variations in temperature and water chemistry.

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Healthy Planet Marine Studies Initiative

The Collection

“The finished work symbolizes the science involved in the collection of samples for understanding life in our great oceans, as well as the art in the beauty of the microorganisms which are being studied.”

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Healthy Planet Marine Studies Initiative

Emiliania coccolithophore

The imagery of life beneath the microscope lends itself so beautifully to mosaic form. Optical filters are remnants from the oceanographic industry and generated the color palette for this piece (Emiliana Coccolithophore). Aqua blues and greens feel right for such studies from the sea.

Categories
Healthy Planet Inquiry Marine Studies Initiative

Parum Aqua Flora

“I was originally attracted to the lacy quality of sections of Angelicque White’s photograph. However, as I began to work with it, a floral image began to appear. Although I have no idea whether the plankton should be considered flora or fauna, I decided to follow that theme. The result is Parum Aqua Flora.”

Categories
Healthy Planet Marine Studies Initiative

Drifters 1

“My paintings are created in the intersections of science, philosophy and art.”