'Tweeting' Seals Help Scientists Probe Remote Seas with Their New Sensors

Seals are helping scientists plumb the depths of the world's remotest oceans. After hooking up seals with sensors, researchers have collected data that builds a detailed picture of areas that are currently difficult for humans to visit.

"The fact that animals have collected the data is an interesting innovation in ocean observation," said Mike Fedak, one of the researchers, in a news release. "But perhaps of more general importance is that data from these remote and inaccessible places now gives us a much clearer picture of the state of the world's oceans. We have since shown that data from these far-flung locations is critical to understanding the broader state of the Global Ocean."

The sensors that were attached to the seals are non-invasive and fall off when the animal molts. They send information back periodically in short messages, via satellites; essentially, the seals "tweet" to the researchers.

Better yet, the researchers have now taken the data and have made it available to other scientists and climate researchers with a new portal. This new technology forms part of a global ocean observing system, which may tell scientists a bit more about the world's seas.

"Changes in the polar oceans have global ramifications and a significant influence on weather and climate," said Lars Boehme, one of the researchers. "Sustained observations are required to detect, interpret and respond to change and a strategic system of observations combining a range of platforms is critical in maintaining the flow of information."

The new portal that the researchers created will make the data collected by the animals available to the wider international scientific community. This is particularly important considering that many studies are now focusing on these remote and inaccessible parts of the sea.

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