NOAA: Making Waves

This week, we take an audio journey to NOAA's Aquarius Reef Base--the world's only undersea research lab. We talk with the director of the Aquarius to learn about some of the tech, science and logistics that make this one-of-a-kind underwater lab possible. Then we speak with the National Educational Coordinator from NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Office to hear about Aquarius 2010, a 10-day research mission that just wrapped up on Aquarius Reef Base that doubled as a powerful educational outreach event.

We have three stories for you this week. First, we take a look at NOAA's Historical Hurricane Tracks, a website that lets anyone track and map historical tropical cyclone activity from 1851-2009. Then, we head to Canada where Office of Coast Survey officials met with other nations that share an Arctic boundary to form a new commission focused on creating better nautical charts for the region. Finally, we head out into the Pacific to point out some new ocean observing tools now available in Hawaii.

Earlier this month, a new interagency report was delivered to Congress that warns of the growing threat of low oxygen "dead zones" in coastal waters around the U.S. This condition is known as hypoxia -- where oxygen levels drop so low that creatures in the water are stressed or killed. In this episode, we hear from two of the scientists behind the report: Dr. Libby Jewett from NOAA and Herb Buxton from the US Geological Survey. They help us learn more about the extent of this problem, its causes, and how this trend might be reversed.

A 2009 NOAA report finds that man-made toxic chemicals used as flame retardants in consumer products are found in all U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes. The chemicals-Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, or PBDEs-have generated international concern in recent years due to their global distribution and associated adverse environmental and human health effects. We talk with one of the authors of the report. [This is a rebroadcast of an episode that originally aired on April 1, 2009]

We have three stories for you this week: A new report suggests that fishing could help control invasive lionfish in some Atlantic waters. NOAA-supported scientists find that this year's Gulf of Mexico dead zone is fifth largest on record. And Papahãnaumokuãkea Marine National Monument is designated a UN World Heritage Site.

Join us this week for a talk with Doug Helton, Incident Operations Coordinator with the Ocean Service's Office of Response and Restoration, to learn about the role this office plays in support of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill recovery effort in the Gulf of Mexico.

We have three stories for you this week: NOAA rolls out new online game for kids about loggerhead sea turtle conservation; have your say about NOAA's new strategic plan; the next round of existing Marine Protected Areas nominated to join the national system of MPAs is up for public comment.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the U.S. and one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. Join us for interview with the director of the Cooperative Oxford Lab to learn how this unique federal-state agency works to protect and restore this important national resource.

In recognition of World Hydrography Day, we have a special interview for you this week with the commander of the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson, currently in the Gulf of Mexico conducting research in support of the ongoing oil spill response effort.

On the latest Making Waves: NOAA's nowCOAST goes mobile; the 20th PORTS® is dedicated in Texas; a new buoy hits the water in the Chesapeake Bay; and where to go to get the latest Gulf of Maine 'red tide' information.