December 2022 — Viruses in the Ocean

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It might be surprising to learn that among organisms in the ocean, viruses are the most numerous, with nearly 10 million viral particles in one drop of seawater.

According to Chris Kellogg of the U.S. Geological Survey, “The reason there are so many viruses out there is that there are also a lot of bacteria out there. The majority of marine viruses are bacteriophages, meaning that they only infect bacteria. Some of the most important interactions in the marine environment are taking place at the microscopic level between these bacteria and viruses.”

Researchers at the University of Delaware are attempting to study microbes in their natural environment, spending eight days at sea aboard the R/V Hugh R. Sharp to conduct what is known as a Lagrangian Experiment, monitoring a single water mass over time. Read more about their research here, or check out the newest episode of SeaTalk for more info on viruses in the ocean.

Notable Dates in December

• December 6 — Each year, RASCL hosts an annual Summit that attracts over 200 attendees from nonprofits, local governments, state agencies, private consultants, and community groups. This year's theme is "Overcoming Roadblocks to Resilience and Sustainability." Discussions will address capacity issues in Delaware, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and projects that are improving local community resilience and sustainability. Learn more and register

• December 17 to January 1 — The Delaware Ornithological Society is sponsoring six Delaware Christmas Bird Counts: Wilmington, Middletown, Bombay Hook, Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen/Prime Hook, and Milford. All counts are looking for birders to participate. Visit their official page for more information