Ahh, The Ocean - Explore Long Island Sound

The University of Connecticut, in cooperation with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), has enhanced its Web site to allow users to explore Long Island Sound with technology.

Images and videos can be viewed at www.lisrc.uconn.edu/explorelis. The site also describes the various habitats in the sound, discusses its history and geology, and provides information on how its environment is affected by human activity.

The site was originally developed in 2007 with a $24,000 grant from the Long Island Sound License Plate Fund of the DEP and a collaboration between the University’s National Undersea Research Center (NURC) and the Long Island Sound Resource Center, a UConn-DEP joint organization.

New features include the virtual underwater tour of Long Island Sound, which now includes high-definition footage of dives and videos of different underwater habitats.

The site also incorporates underwater maps of the sound that have been generated by a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) and the DEP with the underwater imagery gathered by NURC. These maps were developed using multibeam sonar and produce satellite-like images of seafloor topography.

“Combining these wonderful new map products that present an accurate geologic landscape with the video of the seafloor and creatures that live there hopefully gives the visitor a real sense of what the Sound is like underwater” says Ralph Lewis, UConn Marine Science professor and former State of Connecticut geologist.

“The impetus for enhancing the site came from discussions with teachers,” says Ivar Babb, director of NURC. “Teachers loved the images depicting the underwater habitats, but suggested that video would capture the attention of their YouTube generation students even more. The new video clips allow students to study habitats, topography and the geology of Long Island Sound.”

The fund derives its revenue through the sale of Preserve the Sound license plates, through proceeds from the Preserve the Sound Affinity credit card, and by private donations. To date, Connecticut residents have purchased more than 135,000 Preserve the Sound license plates, raising some $4.7 million for projects.

For more information see www.ct.gov/dep/lis. (Look for the Long Island Sound License Plate Program under "Featured Links.")

Mystic, Mermaids, Boston terriers . . . Robert Plant

Robert Plant (yes, the Robert Plant who with Alison Krauss won five Grammys on Sunday) recently stopped by Mermaid's Cove in downtown Mystic, Connecticut.

A Neptune figure similar to the one picture above went home with him. (In Greek mythology, he's known as Poseidon, the god of the sea; Neptune is the same in Roman mythology.)

(Actually, the Nepture and Plant resemble one another.)

Plant and Krauss collaborated to create Raising Sand, a quite amazing album and music adventure. (Especially when Plant could just live out his days as a legend for his Led Zeppelin work.)

Mermaid's Cove Jewelers is on West Main Street, right after the mechanical bascule bridge. Inside the shop are mermaids galore and ocean-themed things of beauty and nautical design. Dawn Currier, owner, can be found inside, along with Brandi and Jasmine, Boston terriers and "sales associates." (The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday.)

Photography, Anders Helm. Photo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, www.robertplant.com.

Watching One Ocean, Many Coasts

"One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency."

- Arnold Glasgow

Dr. Malcolm Spaulding is someone worth watching as he monitor's the ocean's health using technology. He was just elected the first president of the Northeast Regional Association for Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS). Read full story, here.