Beth Orcutt, Ph.D. Vice President for Research, Senior Research Scientist (geomicrobiology), Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Beth Orcutt appeared on Science for the Public's Contemporary Science Issues & Innovations program on May 16, 2023. She and her colleague, Julie Huber, discussed the urgent issue of How Deep-Sea Mining Threatens Fundamental Ecosystems. Drs. Orcutt and Huber explained the vital role of marine microbial ecosystems as the foundation for all other ocean life. They lead some of the most important research on this intricate marine relationship. Problematic technologies such as deep-sea mining and carbon sequestration will create serious disruptions on these ecosystems, and the impact will inevitably extend to many other lifeforms in the marine universe.