Celebrating a Legacy of Marine Research, Education, and Conservation The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is proud to celebrate its 140-year anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the field of marine biology. Founded in 1884, the MBA has been at the forefront of research, education, and conservation efforts in marine science. With a rich history and … Read more
Dr Cordelia Roberts is a Post-doctoral Research Assistant in Marine Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry, and previously completed an MRes and PhD at the Marine Biological Association (MBA). As a researcher Cordelia is interested in looking at dead, dying and faecal material in the ocean (similar to leaf litter on land) which form sinking and suspended … Read more
Researchers from the Marine Biological Association (MBA) have led a study to discover why dinoflagellates are declining in northern regions of our ocean. Climate warming poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, and scientists have documented considerable changes in plankton in the Northeast Atlantic. Plankton are a diverse collection of tiny organisms found in … Read more
Kelp forests play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by providing habitat and food for a diverse range of marine species. However, various factors such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing have led to a decline in kelp populations across the world, posing a significant threat to the health of coastal ecosystems. Scientists at the … Read more
In the early stages of their life cycle, many marine invertebrates (animals without backbones) are often free-swimming larvae covered with tiny hair-like structures (cilia). These larvae possess a grouping of sensory cells, known as an apical organ, and some also have a long tuft of cilia, called an apical tuft. Like an antenna, the apical … Read more
A team of marine scientists from Australia and the UK embarked on a multi-disciplinary mission to decipher the mysteries of whale shark movement in relation to prey distribution at Ningaloo Reef. Ningaloo Reef, located in Western Australia, is a renowned coastal ‘hotspot’ for the world’s largest shark, the filter-feeding whale shark. Every year, these magnificent … Read more
New research sheds light on tiny plankton, which can make up more than 70% of the plankton biomass found in the ocean. Tiny plankton – measuring less than 20µm (or 0.02mm) in diameter – make up the majority of plankton in the ocean and play a critical role in the planet’s health, according to new … Read more
The ocean contains a widespread group of single-celled algae called diatoms which play a significant role in the global carbon cycle. As microscopic photosynthesising organisms (phytoplankton), diatoms transform light energy from the sun into chemical energy, fixing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen (primary production). Diatoms are responsible for up to 40% of marine primary productivity … Read more
The Santa Barbara Channel’s kelp forests and its sandy beaches are intimately connected. Giant kelp, the foundation species of rocky reefs, serves as a major part of the beach food web as fronds of the giant seaweed break away from the forest and are transported to the beach. But the relationship goes deeper. CPR Survey … Read more
Diatoms are single celled algae and are one of the largest groups of organisms on earth. They can form vast blooms in the ocean and support life of other marine organisms at the base of aquatic food chains. Diatoms do not live in isolation, but with a plethora of other marine microbes such as bacteria. … Read more
The Marine Biological Association
The Laboratory,
Citadel Hill Plymouth,
Devon
PL1 2PB, UK
The Marine Biological Association conducts, promotes and supports scientific research into all aspects of life in the sea. We're working with our ever-growing membership to provide a clear and independent voice on behalf of the marine biological community