Welcome to an exploration of the fascinating world beneath the ocean’s surface, guided by bioengineer Kakani Katija. The ocean is a vibrant and ever-changing environment, shaped by the forces of tides and winds. Within this dynamic setting, marine organisms navigate their lives, adapting to the currents that surround them.
Just as animals on land leave footprints in soil or sand, marine organisms leave behind unique traces in the water. These are known as wake structures or hydrodynamic signatures. Although these signatures are invisible to the naked eye due to the transparency of water, they can be visualized by introducing particles into the fluid. These signatures provide crucial information about the organisms, such as their type, behavior, and interactions with their environment.
To study these invisible footprints, Kakani Katija has developed a compact device that allows a single scuba diver to measure these hydrodynamic signatures up to 40 meters (approximately 120 feet) deep. By conducting dives at night, researchers minimize interference from sunlight and avoid disturbing the marine life they wish to observe.
During these dives, a green laser is used to illuminate a sheet of water, causing particles within the ocean to reflect the light. As marine animals swim through this illuminated sheet, the movement of these particles is tracked over time, providing valuable data on fluid velocity and the forces acting on the organisms.
While current studies are limited to depths accessible by scuba divers, exciting advancements are on the horizon. Collaborations with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute aim to develop instruments for remotely operated vehicles, enabling exploration down to 4,000 meters (about 2.5 miles). This will allow researchers to study intriguing organisms like larvaceans, which create feeding currents, and siphonophores, which use jet propulsion to swim vertically.
One of the most intriguing discoveries is the impact of swarming organisms, such as krill, on ocean mixing. These organisms, when moving in large groups, can generate mixing effects comparable to those caused by winds and tides. This finding highlights the significant role marine life plays in the broader oceanic ecosystem.
As we delve deeper into ocean exploration, it’s important to remember that many of today’s technologies are inspired by nature. Just as birds inspired the invention of airplanes, studying marine organisms could lead to future innovations, such as underwater vehicles that mimic the movement of jellyfish.
We are at an exciting juncture in ocean exploration, equipped with the tools to answer complex questions about marine life. With continued research and collaboration, we can unlock new insights and develop technologies that draw inspiration from the incredible organisms that inhabit our oceans. Thank you for joining this journey into the depths of the sea.
Using software like MATLAB or Python, simulate the hydrodynamic signatures of different marine organisms. Experiment with variables such as speed and size to see how they affect the wake structures. Present your findings in a visual format, such as graphs or animations, to the class.
In groups, brainstorm and design a prototype for a compact device that could be used to study marine life at various depths. Consider factors such as size, power source, and data collection methods. Present your design and explain how it could improve current research methods.
Participate in a debate on the role of marine organisms in ocean mixing. Research the effects of swarming organisms like krill and compare them to natural forces such as tides and winds. Argue for or against the significance of biological contributions to ocean mixing.
Research a technology that was inspired by marine life, such as underwater vehicles mimicking jellyfish. Prepare a presentation on how the technology works, its applications, and the marine organism that inspired it. Discuss potential future innovations with your peers.
Simulate a night dive using virtual reality or a detailed video walkthrough. Observe how researchers use lasers to track hydrodynamic signatures. Reflect on the challenges and advantages of conducting research at night and discuss how these methods contribute to our understanding of marine ecosystems.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello, my name is Kakani Katija, and I am a bioengineer. I study marine organisms in their natural environment. I want to highlight that the ocean is a dynamic place. In this visualization, you can see the currents and whirls created by tides and winds. Marine organisms live in this environment and navigate their lives while dealing with these currents.
Additionally, small organisms create small fluid motions, which I study. We can think of these motions as being similar to footprints. For example, this is my dog Kieran, and her footprints provide a lot of information. They indicate what kind of organism left them, when they were there, and even their behavior—whether they were running or walking.
While terrestrial organisms leave footprints in dirt or sand, marine organisms leave what we call wake structures or hydrodynamic signatures in the water. These structures are difficult to see because fluid is transparent. However, by adding something to the fluid, we can visualize these footprints created by marine organisms. They are dynamic and constantly changing. Marine organisms can sense these signatures, which can inform their decisions, such as finding a mate or food, or avoiding predators.
To visualize and measure these signatures, I have miniaturized a laboratory technique into a device that a single scuba diver can use. This diver can measure hydrodynamic signatures from the surface down to 40 meters (about 120 feet) deep.
To gather these measurements, we dive at night to minimize interference from sunlight and avoid scaring away the organisms we want to study. Once we locate the organisms, we turn on a green laser that illuminates a sheet of fluid, reflecting off particles found in the ocean. As an animal swims through this laser sheet, we can observe the movement of these particles over time, allowing us to extract data about the velocity of the fluid.
Using this data, we can answer various questions, such as understanding the rotational sense of the fluid and estimating the forces acting on the organisms. We have applied this technique to a variety of organisms, but we are limited to those that a scuba diver can reach.
Looking ahead, we are collaborating with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute to develop instrumentation for remotely operated vehicles. This will enable us to study organisms from the surface down to 4,000 meters (about 2.5 miles) deep. We aim to explore fascinating organisms, such as larvaceans that create feeding currents and siphonophores that can swim vertically using jet propulsion.
We are also investigating how swarming organisms, like krill, affect mixing on larger scales. One of our most interesting findings so far is that organisms moving in mass can generate mixing comparable to physical processes associated with winds and tides.
Before I conclude, I want to leave you with a thought: the technologies we take for granted today were inspired by nature. For instance, scientists and engineers were inspired by birds to create airplanes. As we develop new technologies to understand marine organisms, we should consider how these organisms might inspire future innovations, such as underwater vehicles that mimic jellyfish.
It is an exciting time in ocean exploration, as we now have the tools to answer these questions. With your involvement, we can apply these tools to explore and develop future technologies. Thank you.
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This version maintains the core ideas while removing any informal language and personal anecdotes that may not be necessary for the main message.
Marine – Related to the sea or ocean, especially in terms of biology and ecosystems. – Marine biology focuses on the study of organisms that inhabit the ocean and their interactions with the environment.
Organisms – Living entities that can function independently, such as animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms. – Researchers are studying how marine organisms adapt to changes in ocean temperature.
Signatures – Distinctive patterns or characteristics that can be used to identify or analyze biological or physical phenomena. – The genetic signatures of different species can help scientists understand evolutionary relationships.
Hydrodynamic – Related to the motion of fluids, particularly water, and the forces acting on solid bodies immersed in fluids. – Engineers design hydrodynamic models to predict how marine structures will withstand ocean currents.
Exploration – The systematic investigation or study of unknown or less understood areas, often involving scientific research and discovery. – Ocean exploration has led to the discovery of new marine species and ecosystems.
Innovations – New methods, ideas, or products that bring advancements or improvements in a particular field. – Technological innovations in underwater robotics have revolutionized marine research.
Mixing – The process of combining different substances or elements, often resulting in a homogeneous composition. – Ocean mixing plays a crucial role in distributing nutrients and heat throughout marine ecosystems.
Currents – Continuous, directed movements of ocean water driven by various factors such as wind, temperature, and salinity differences. – Ocean currents significantly influence climate patterns and marine biodiversity.
Devices – Tools or instruments designed for a specific purpose, often involving technological or mechanical components. – Marine scientists use various devices to measure water quality and track ocean currents.
Research – The systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Research in marine biology has provided insights into the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems.
