News | Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Two-panel illustration of the the carbon source and weather (C-SAW) concepts. Left panel shows a blue sky with the sun out, plus trees and a green field with a river running through it. This panel represents dry conditions when a coastal river is not connected to its adjacent wetlands. The right panel shows the same image, but with a cloudy sky, muddier bank, and what looks like more mud flowing into the water. This represents wet periods, when extreme rainfall floods adjacent wetlands, hydrologically connecting them to the river and leading to enhanced export of color, DOM, and nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients (N + P). In dry conditions, the illustration shows phytoplankton and as light green rods and dots that are higher upstream. In wet conditions, these rods and dots are farther downstream.

Published on October 12, 2026

Taking a Ride on the C-SAW

Professor Chris Osburn breaks down new research about colored dissolved organic matter and how its quality varies after storm events.

Vendela Gustafsson smiles as she looks at specimens from a plankton net under a microscope at the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Published on October 9, 2026

Using Physics to Study the Ocean: Q&A With Park Scholar Vendela Gustafsson

Vendela Gustafsson, a student in Professor Rouying He’s Observing and Modeling Group, spent her summer using physics to uncover the unknowns of the ocean.

Seven people standing and holding their awards

Published on October 6, 2026

Alumni, Students Recognized by College at 2026 Awards Dinner

MEAS doctoral student Alyssa Griffin won the college’s Student Leadership Award for her exceptional management of Feed the Pack Food Pantry and her development of scientific decision-making resources.

Published on September 30, 2026

Could a Blue Economy be Carteret County’s Future?

Blue Economy Innovation Director Chris Osburn explores challenges, opportunities and adaptation strategies for Carteret County residents looking to sustain their relationship with water in the face of an uncertain future.

Published on September 25, 2026

Oceanographer Davis Wins Weber Award From American Geophysical Union

Davis studies the long-term effects of global climate on oceanographic environments.

In the News

The latest press coverage featuring MEAS experts

MEAS Monthly | September

Two professors win exciting awards, we celebrate a new NOAA Hollings Scholar, our El Niño expert is in the news and MEAS Field Day returns!

Wegmann stands on a landform overlooking a vast orange valley in New Mexico

Published on September 17, 2026

Geologist Wegmann Elected GSA Fellow

The fellowship recognizes Wegmann’s distinguished contributions to the geosciences.

Published on August 31, 2026

2026 Goodnight Doctoral Fellowship Recipients Announced

Graduate student Kat Boyle is among this year’s recipients of the Goodnight Doctoral Fellowship, awarded to students who represent a new cohort of exceptional Ph.D. students

Rebecca Moore crouches down on the rooftop of Jordan Hall to prepare equipment for a weather ballon launch.

Published on August 14, 2026

Launching Weather Balloons and Careers at NC State

In the winter of 2026, NC State’s Sounding Club participated in a program to improve forecasting for atmospheric rivers and other high-impact weather events.

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Taking a Ride on the C-SAW

Using Physics to Study the Ocean: Q&A With Park Scholar Vendela Gustafsson

Alumni, Students Recognized by College at 2026 Awards Dinner

Could a Blue Economy be Carteret County’s Future?

Oceanographer Davis Wins Weber Award From American Geophysical Union

In the News

Department Newsletter

MEAS Monthly | September

Journal Publications

Shifting climate in Caribbean tropical forests: Long-term trends at La Selva (Costa Rica) and El Verde (Puerto Rico)

Atmospheric dust and ocean biology—The role of iron

Machine Learning Predictions of PM2.5 and Their Applications to Exposure and Health Assessment in the CONUS

Geologist Wegmann Elected GSA Fellow

2026 Goodnight Doctoral Fellowship Recipients Announced

Launching Weather Balloons and Careers at NC State

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