How oil research protects ocean health. Understanding oil spills, offshore drilling, and marine pollution starts before any accident happens. In this episode, marine microbial oceanographer Dr. Alice Ortmann explains how scientists collect baseline ocean data to measure ecosystem health in oil and gas regions offshore Newfoundland. The conversation covers what counts as an oil spill, how oil and methane move through the water column, why microbes are essential for breaking down hydrocarbons, and how baseline measurements help scientists assess impact, recovery, and long-term change. This episode explores environmental response science, ocean resilience, and how oil research informs regulation, preparedness, and protection of fisheries and marine ecosystems—without alarmism, and grounded in real data.

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Special thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for sponsoring this episode.

Episode Guests: Dr. Alice Ortmann

Connect with Dr. Ortamnn on LinkedIn

Find Dr. Ortmann’s publications on Google Scholar

Visit the Marine Microbiome Forum

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Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art by Jomiro Eming

Theme music by Nela Ruiz

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Listen to Something in the Water on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

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