"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Plankton
10/21/26
“How do we classify tiny water organisms that drift instead of swim?”
We hear about plankton when discussing water environments. But what exactly are they? Well, Plankton are small organisms that drift with water currents instead of swimming against them. There are plankton in all of the major biological kingdoms, ranging in size from microscopic bacteria to massive jellyfish. Plankton are a vital part of the Earth’s water ecosystem.
Garage Flood Vents
10/20/26
“How can we place flood vents in garages?”
Flood vents protect building foundations during storms by channelling stormwater through a designated path. People can install flood vents in their garages to create Garage Flood Vents. Garage flood vents are typically installed low on exterior walls to let rising water in and receding water out.
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Phytoplankton
10/19/26
“What forms the base of ocean ecosystems?”
Creatures at the base of a food chain use primary production and photosynthesis to create new biomass. Phytoplankton, or plankton that use photosynthesis, are one of these creatures. Phytoplankton are responsible for around half of all oxygen production and photosynthetic activity despite composing only 1 percent of all biomass. Phytoplankton typically congregate in the photic zone since they require sunlight. Phytoplankton also require inorganic nutrients to survive, which is why they’re not commonly found in oceanic deserts.
Breakaway Walls
10/18/26
“Why do some buildings have walls that break away during floods to protect structural integrity?”
People usually build walls to keep floodwaters from entering an area. However, the water can cause the wall to collapse if too much piles up. This is especially dangerous for buildings people live, work, and play in. But what if we had a wall that breaks away when a certain load is met, letting water pass through without harming the rest of the structure instead of destroying its supports? Well, this is the idea behind Breakaway Walls. Breakaway walls are like an above-ground version of flood vents. Breakaway walls are often implemented in buildings inhabiting the 100-year flood zone or higher.
Ocean Upwelling
10/17/26
“How does nutrient-rich water move from the ocean floor to the surface?”
Wind can blow coastal water away from land as a consequence of the Coriolis effect. Cold, nutrient-dense water from the ocean floor will move to the surface to replace the displaced water. This Ocean Upwelling drastically changes ecosystems by providing rich nutrients to the surface and cooling the surrounding environment. Famous coastlines that experience upwelling include Northern California and Namibia.
Oceanic Deserts
10/16/26
“How can we have deserts in the middle of the ocean?”
When people talk about deserts, images of dry, sandy land without a drop of water in sight for kilometers typically come to mind. But what if oceans had their own deserts? Well, in the center of ocean gyres, the circulating ocean currents lead to perpetual high-pressure atmospheric systems that practically eliminate rain production. Furthermore, the rotating gyre and warm surface water prevent nutrient-rich deep water from rising to the surface. This provides limited food for phytoplankton to grow, severely limiting the biological productivity potential of the region. The lack of rainfall and biological productivity result in Oceanic Deserts. Oceanic deserts are typically located in tropical and subtropical latitudes within gyres. Their surfaces are colored a rich blue because of the lack of heavy phytoplankton populations.
Why Submerged Wood May Not Rot
10/15/26
“How can submerged wood not rot?”
It’s easy to think submerged wood will rot quickly. But in many such cases, the underwater environment lacks the oxygen amount necessary to power the fungi and aerobic bacteria that would rot it, leading to wood preservation. This is Why Submerged Wood May Not Rot. Cities built on reclaimed land like Amsterdam literally rest on this principle.
Sunny Day Flooding
10/14/26
“Why do some coastal communities flood without storms?”
When people discuss tidal flooding, it’s easy to think it only happens during severe storms. However, high tides on bright, sunny days can lead to flooding as well. These Sunny Day Flooding events will become more common as sea levels rise from climate change.
The Photic Zone
10/13/2026
“Why does most aquatic life live near the surface?”
Large bodies of water have very strong property variation by depth. The zone near the surface receives the most sunlight, therefore supplying phytoplankton with the resources they need to grow, which in turn provides a food base for complex ecosystems. These Photonic Zones house most aquatic life due to their primary productivity-rich environment.
