Southern Ocean Sentinels

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  This could be used in a lesson on climate change, oceanography, marine science, ecology, and chemistry. Ocean acidification, while not directly impacting the climate system, is the result of the oceans soaking up much of the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, resulting in a potentially catastrophic impact on the ocean ecosystem.
• About the Science
  The video discusses two indicators of global change effects on the Southern Ocean: 1. Changes in Antarctic bottom water and 2: ocean acidification and its effect on pteropod shells. Details how tiny plankton and massive ocean currents hold clues to how rapidly the Southern Ocean is changing. Additionally the video discusses how the pteropods may provide an early warning of climate "tipping points" to come. The video discusses the link between global climate and the potential changes in the formation of Antarctic bottom water, as well as ocean chemistry. Comments from expert scientist: As for the scientific strengths, it is very clear and well explained. From the field to the lab, to outlining results from the study, the story is easy to understand. This is also actual science and a "hot" topic in marine science (ocean acidification in the Arctic Ocean and its impact on Limacina helicina). This is interesting material and relevant to CLEAN.
• About the Pedagogy
  The narrator asks focused questions in the video, and a transcript is provided for students to read. This video explicitly discusses how our understanding of the climate system is improved through observations and data collection, as how these in turn help to inform predictive models. A written transcript of the video is provided.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  The technical quality is much better when viewing online and not in a full screen mode. In full screen modes, even in downloads, the picture is grainy. The viewing quality is much better viewing online as presented in "small screen."