Bossâ lab participates in the new Tara ocean expedition studying microbiomes across the South Atlantic and South PacificÂ
Copyright: fondationtaraocean.org/studioV2
A French research schooner known for its scientific expeditions in the worldâs oceans set sail on another voyage last week, equipped with sensors from the University of Maineâs School of Marine Sciences.
Emmanuel Boss, a professor of oceanography, and Lee Karp-Boss, a professor with the School of Marine Sciences, have been serving as coordinators for the Tara Ocean Expeditions since 2012 and Boss has had instruments on board since 2009. The current expedition will span almost two-years to study marine microbiomes, the assembly of microorganisms in a given marine environment. The research voyage will explore how microbiomes function, particularly in the context of climate change and plastic pollution. UMaine provided equipment for the expedition, and Bossâs lab trained the technicians aboard the schooner on how to use it, as he has for previous journeys. Intriguingly, two past Tara science technicians have come to UMaine to pursue Ph.D.s in oceanography.