The Aquarius Reef Base is the last of its kind in the World. The base serves as a laboratory to many scientists performing research on endangered coral reefs along with a few NASA astronauts practicing weightless missions. The Aquarius Reef Base is owned by the federal government, by operated by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The base has been operational for the last 25 years. Over the last few years a declining budget, has plagued the base. The Obama administration had to eliminate the budget for the base all together. At the peak of underwater research there were around fifty underwater research facilities of this time, but in current economic situation only one remains. The Aquarius Reef Base was left with only a couple options when the Obama administration cut their budget. Shut down or find another source of funding. Efforts have been started to raise funds to continue operating. A independent foundation is leading the money raising efforts. How big of a role has this base played in learning about what we know about coral reefs? Should the federal government step in a subsidize the Aquarius Reef Base?
Photo by(DJ Roller; http://www.npr.org/2012/07/17/156881457/with-funding-gone-last-undersea-lab-could-surface).
I actually learned something new from this article, I had no idea that there was such a thing as an underwater research laboratory. It was crazy to read how the scientists can stay underwater for hours, even days. Sylvia Earle makes a statement that there is a "difference in perspective you get when you don't have to bounce in and out" which i'm sure helps the studies go a lot smoother and faster. Its a shame this is one of the last of its kind because it is not only beneficial to the studies going on at this reef base, but beneficial to the NASA astronauts who actually use the Aquarius Reef to train for when they are in space because it simulates the conditions of an asteroid. Which I thought was very interesting and shows how this could be an asset to have for many reasons.
ReplyDeleteI feel that an underwater laboratory would greatly benefit humanity's knowledge of the ocean and its creatures, considering our current knowledge isn't very complete. It's also surprising that even though it made the scientists ten times more productive and useful beyond just studying the ocean (NASA's training), the laboratory's funding was cut. Hopefully Key Largo collects enough money to keep the Aquarius Reef Base running for at least one more mission.
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