Public Television Series, Changing Seas, Explores
The Ongoing Research Into The Gulf Of Mexico Oil Spill
CONTACT:
Cammy Richards
Director Communications
WPBT2
305-424-4013
cammy_richards@wpbt.org
Kristina Gutierrez
Supervisor of Community Outreach/Events
WPBT2
305-424-4025
kristina_gutierrez@wpbt.org
Miami, FL, June 16, 2011 – Changing Seas, an original production of Miami’s public television station WPBT2, will host a live online screening event of After the Spill, the series’ latest episode focusing on last year’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill. During the screening on Thursday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. (EDT), viewers will have the rare opportunity to chat live with the experts featured in the program on the Changing Seas website at www.changingseas.tv/webcast.
Last year’s catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may no longer make headline news, but the story is far from over. Oceanographers continue to study the long-term effects this disaster might have on marine ecosystems. Among them are scientists from the University of South Florida, who have been studying the impacts of this disaster from the beginning. The Changing Seas crew joined USF experts on an expedition aboard the research vessel Weatherbird II, to document the ongoing research. Scientists at the university are analyzing water and sediment samples for hydrocarbon presence and toxicity and are studying the long-term effects the spill might have on a number of marine species.
The program will be broadcast on WPBT2 on Tuesday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m., and starting June 29th will also be available for viewing on the WPBT2 Video Player at http://video.wpbt2.org/program/1334903101/
The series is made possible by a generous grant from the Batchelor Foundation.
About Changing Seas
Currently in its third season, Changing Seas takes viewers on an exciting journey to the heart of our liquid planet. Narrated by renowned voice talent Peter Thomas, this documentary series lets viewers experience first-hand how oceanographers study earth’s last frontier, and sheds light on how human activities are threatening ocean resources.
ABOUT WPBT2
South Florida’s premier public broadcaster, WPBT2, is a community-licensed, not-for-profit media enterprise serving communities from the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys. WPBT2 provides high quality content from PBS, independent acquisitions and its own original productions. WPBT2’s digital media platform, offers: 2HD, a 24-hour high definition channel; Digital 2.2, a mix of Science & Nature Channel, The Florida Channel and Create; Digital 2.3, V-me, a 24-hour national Spanish-language network; and www.wpbt2.org, the WPBT2 website including, Impromp2 (a community blog), the WPBT2 Video Player and uVu, a video sharing website.
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VIDEO:
For more information on "After the Spill" or Changing Seas please visit http://www.changingseas.tv or http://www.youtube.com/user/ChangingSeasTV
PHOTOS:
01. Researchers aboard the R/V Weatherbird II collect sediment samples to study the impact the oil spill might have on the seafloor.
02. Researchers collect water samples from the CTD Rosette, a water sampling device. The samples will be used in a variety of studies, ranging from hydrocarbon analysis to toxicity assays.
03. Researchers on the R/V Weatherbird II prepare to lower the CTD Rosette into the water.
04. Experts onboard the R/V Weatherbird II lower a sediment sampling device into the water.
05. The CTD Rosette, a device used to collect water samples and take measurements such as conductivity, temperature and depth.
06. The Florida Institute of Oceanography’s R/V Weatherbird II is equipped with advanced laboratories, oceanographic devices and sensor technologies.
