LOCAL SCIENTIST HELPS UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF THE DELICATE BALANCE AND INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF MARINE LIFE 10,000 FEET BELOW

By Craig Heihn

Two thousand miles off the coast of Chile, the research vessel Atlantis II is readying the Alvin, a three-person submarine. On this dive, the Alvin will plunge to more than 10,000 feet below the ocean’s surface. Inside the sub’s confines, a pilot and two scientists, including Shannon Johnson from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, brace for a grueling 12-hour expedition. Their hope is to gather samples of animals at ocean depths only a select few have dared to explore. It’s a risky and dangerous mission. But this crew is willing to risk their lives to unravel the mysteries of our oceans and to understand better the effect humans are having on them.

Today’s cramped mission into the deep, dark ocean is a world apart from where Shannon grew up – among the white, snow-capped mountains and vast open spaces of Lake Tahoe. Five hours away from the ocean, she spent her winters balancing school, ski racing, and snowboarding. Summers were devoted to working in a local marina, just a bike ride away from her home. Typical pastimes for the kids of Lake Tahoe involved hitching rides to go wakeboarding and attending beach bonfires with friends. If you had told a 15-year-old Shannon that she would become a deep-sea biologist and eventually work for one of the most prestigious scientific research facilities in the world, she would have laughed in your face. Her first significant issue was that school was not a priority, which, at the time, she didn’t take seriously. A more significant concern was… she gets seasick!

Not surprisingly, Shannon wasn’t particularly drawn to marine biology. After graduating from high school, she went to a community college at the behest of her schoolteacher mother. While taking a basic math class, Shannon discovered how much she really enjoyed math; for her, it was more like solving puzzles. Although not very good with math, it intrigued her. Pressing on and taking as many math classes as she could, school was finally starting to click for her. Eventually, after graduating with honors from community college and applying to four different schools, Shannon was accepted to UCLA as a Biochemistry major and had decided to become a neurosurgeon.

 

During her time at UCLA, surfing introduced Shannon to the ocean, triggering an unexpected fascination that altered her career path. Despite academic challenges, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Biology, Shannon’s discomfort with medical practice led her to take a gap year in Santa Cruz. By day, she waitressed, while her passion for surfing led her to explore Monterey Bay’s coastlines.

Seeking a deeper connection to the sea, Shannon enrolled at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, completing her Master’s in Science and eventually securing a role as a student assistant at MBARI. In the Molecular Ecology Lab, she delved into the genetics of deep-sea creatures exclusive to ocean depths.

Shannon’s research illuminates the interconnectedness of these creatures in global ecosystems. Her studies and contributions are showcased at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a testament to her enduring dedication and pivotal role in marine science.

Presently, after two decades at MBARI, Shannon’s research illuminates the interconnectedness of these creatures in global ecosystems. Her studies and contributions are showcased at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a testament to her enduring dedication and pivotal role in marine science. [If you look closely, you’ll find her image on one of the exhibits, a reminder of her remarkable journey from mountainous terrain to the depths of oceanic exploration.]

At a depth of 10,000 feet below the surface, the ocean takes on an eerie darkness, an abyss devoid of natural light. In this lightless world, the majority of creatures remain unseen until the submarine’s illumination reveals their existence. The mesmerizing play of colors emerges as light refracts off the creatures’ movements, casting a spectral dance amid the deep.

Having dedicated nearly eight hours to exploring the ocean’s depths and collecting diverse samples, including an unprecedented species of worm, the submarine commences its gradual ascent. Inside the seven-foot-diameter sphere, the crew confronts exhaustion, piercing cold, and the suffocating sensation of nearly 12 hours in confinement. Dealing with excruciating headaches owing to dehydration and scant oxygen, they endure the discomfort without the luxury of a bathroom. The ascent, spanning a couple of hours, feels interminable until the vessel finally breaches the surface, causing it to bob around like a buoyant cork. Still, it will be another half-hour before the submarine is recovered and hoisted back onto the research ship. For Shannon, the only one on board with seasickness, these moments stretch into what seems like an eternity. But it’s a small price to pay for unraveling the mysteries of the deep sea.

BIOLUMINESCENCE

Marine bioluminescence, a symphony of light in the ocean’s depths, embodies nature’s unparalleled beauty and mystery. (Bioluminescence comes from Greek and Latin – bios means life in Greek, and lumen means light in Latin.) From sparkling waves to glowing jellyfish, these underwater fireworks illuminate the hidden wonders of our seas. Beyond its natural allure, marine bioluminescence plays vital roles in communication, camouflage, and ecological dynamics. However, human activities, from pollution to climate change, threaten these fragile ecosystems. Safeguarding marine bioluminescence demands urgent conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity and unravel its scientific potential. We hope that articles like this and the amazing photos help forge the path toward sustainable practices, ensuring that the oceans continue to shimmer with the magic of bioluminescence for generations to come.

Sidebar: The Visionary Creation of the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Julie Packard, the executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a pioneering figure in ocean conservation, played a pivotal role in its establishment in the late 1970s. As an international leader in the realm of ocean conservation, her advocacy resonates profoundly, advocating for science-driven policy reforms that champion a sustainable and thriving ocean ecosystem.

Julie’s journey began during her Master’s studies when her fascination with marine algae and seaweeds ignited a passion for understanding the intricacies of the Monterey Bay coastline. Motivated by the devastating 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara, her environmental activism spurred her to envision an institution that would highlight the ocean’s importance and its interconnectedness with our world above the surface.

After eight years of relentless dedication, the Monterey Bay Aquarium opened its doors on October 20th, 1984. The inauguration drew an impressive crowd of over 10,000 visitors, offering an enthralling underwater view of kelp forests and marking the beginning of a thriving institution. With 2.4 million visitors in its inaugural year, Julie’s vision materialized into a resounding success.

In 1987, David Packard established the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) to merge engineering and science, enabling the sharing of discoveries with the scientific community and the public through the Aquarium. This collaborative endeavor further underscored the institution’s commitment to understanding and safeguarding our oceans.

Julie Packard’s indomitable spirit and leadership continue to inspire a global movement toward ocean conservation and science-based policy reforms. Her unwavering commitment to a healthy ocean ecosystem has solidified her as a pioneering force in the field, leaving an enduring legacy in marine science and environmental advocacy.

Learn more about the Monterey Bay Aquarium by visiting in person or online https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/