Ultramarine: the science of our oceans and waterways
ConnectSci
- 14
- Episodes
- 2025
- First episode
About Ultramarine: the science of our oceans and waterways
Ultramarine investigates the latest research, innovations and science news from our oceans and marine environments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
- Publisher
- ConnectSci
- Category
- science · science · science
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 11 Dec 2025
- Latest episode
- 29 May 2026
Latest episodes
14 episodes in the feed.
29 May 2026
‘Remarkable’ freshwater turtles face quiet decline
This is an episode from our new podcast, It Starts With... available on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/it-starts-with/id1896322692), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/48m98wzx5cXBR5hV8L6Gct) and ConnectSci (https://connectsci.au/news/pages/podcasts). If you enjoy this, check out part 2 of our turtles chat on It Starts With... Australia’s freshwater turtles are some of the country’s most fascinating and under-appreciated animals. They can live for decades, survive incredible injuries, help clean river systems and in some cases even breathe underwater through specialised adaptations. But despite how remarkable they are, turtle populations across Australia are quietly declining and most people do not even realise it is happening. In this first of a two-part panel episode, David Boldeman is joined by turtle experts Deb Bower (https://www.une.edu.au/staff-profiles/ers/debbie-bower), James Van Dyke (https://www.jamesuvandyke.com/), Michael Thompson (https://1millionturtles.com/our-team) and Ricky Spencer (https://researchers.westernsydney.edu.au/en/persons/ricky-spencer/) to explore why turtles are so important, the surprising biology behind how they survive, and the growing challenges they face. Deb, James, Mike and Ricky co-author the book The Mystery of the Missing Turtles with Elizabeth Hale and illustrator James O'Hanlon. The book is published by CSIRO Publishing and is available in print or eBook (https://www.publishing.csiro.au/book/8222/#author). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 Mar 2026
4500m deep: remote observatory expands climate knowledge
David Boldeman speaks with CSIRO marine biogeochemist Dr Elizabeth Shadwick (https://people.csiro.au/S/E/Elizabeth-Shadwick) about one of Australia’s most important long-running ocean climate observation programs, the Southern Ocean Time Series south of Tasmania. Anchored in waters around 4500 metres deep, this remote ocean observatory allows scientists to measure how the Southern Ocean absorbs heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and how these processes influence the global climate system. Dr Shadwick explains how carbon dioxide moves from the air into the ocean, how physical circulation and deep water formation can store that carbon away from the atmosphere for decades to centuries, and how the “biological carbon pump” helps move organic carbon into the deep ocean. The episode also explores the remarkable engineering effort required to deploy and maintain deep-water moorings in harsh Southern Ocean conditions, and what more than two decades of observations are revealing about ocean acidification, natural variability, and the challenge of detecting long-term human impacts in deep ocean ecosystems. Further reading: IMOS Southern Ocean Time Series (https://imos.org.au/facility/deep-water-moorings/southern-ocean-time-series-observatory) Voyage information and photo gallery (https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/mnf/voyages-schedules/multi-voyage-projects/sots-facility) Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (https://aappartnership.org.au/theme-2/) Underwater observatory keeps pulse of the Southern Ocean for nearly 30 years (https://theconversation.com/an-underwater-observatory-keeping-the-pulse-of-the-southern-ocean-for-nearly-30-years-yields-fresh-results-257467) For the latest science news visit https://connectsci.au/news (https://connectsci.au/news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Mar 2026
How do you give a whale a hearing test?
Host David Boldeman speaks with ConnectSci science journalist Imma Perfetto about new research that has, for the first time, measured the hearing range of humpback whales in the wild. The discussion explores why understanding whale hearing is critical, particularly because whales rely heavily on sound for communication, navigation and finding food in the dark ocean environment. Imma explains that studying Baleen Whale hearing has long been difficult since these massive animals cannot be kept in captivity. This means scientists previously relied on indirect estimates based on anatomy and vocalisation patterns. Discover how researchers overcame this challenge by adapting a behavioural hearing test used for human infants, broadcasting sound signals to migrating humpback whales off the Queensland coast and observing changes in their behaviour. For the latest research and discoveries visit https://connectsci.au/news (https://connectsci.au/news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Mar 2026
How is ocean temperature measured?
David Boldeman is joined by science journalist Ellen Phiddian to explore a deceptively simple question: how do scientists actually know the oceans are warming? The conversation unpacks the global network of measurements that allow researchers to track heat across the world’s oceans, from early ship-based observations to modern satellite systems and autonomous Argo floats that dive thousands of metres beneath the surface. Along the way, the episode explains why ocean heat content is one of the most important indicators of climate change, how scientists distinguish long-term warming from natural variability, and why the oceans absorb the vast majority of the excess heat in the Earth’s climate system. It is a story about evidence, measurement and the remarkable ability of modern science to take the temperature of a changing planet. For the latest research and discoveries visit https://connectsci.au/news (https://connectsci.au/news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Mar 2026
The first Arctic explorers: ancient communities thrived in harsh environments
Four and a half thousand years ago, people were already navigating the dangerous waters of the High Arctic. In this episode of the ConnectSci Podcast Ultramarine series, David Boldeman speaks with journalist Evrim Yazgin about new research showing how ancient Arctic communities crossed open ocean, thrived in extreme environments, and even helped shape the ecosystems around them. For the latest science news visit connectsci.au/news (https://connectsci.au/news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Mar 2026
Earth's alien ocean
We travel nearly ten kilometres beneath the surface of our own planet to explore one of the most extraordinary discoveries in modern science. For decades, the search for extraterrestrial life has focused on distant planets and far-off stars. But some of the most compelling clues may be hiding in the deepest trenches of Earth’s oceans. In total darkness, under crushing pressure and without any sunlight, scientists have discovered thriving ecosystems powered not by light, but by chemistry. Host David Boldeman and ConnectSci journalist Evrim Yazgin unpack how these deep-sea organisms survive using chemosynthesis, breaking down chemicals like hydrogen instead of relying on photosynthesis. READ MORE: https://connectsci.au/news/news-parent/6784/Clues-to-extraterrestrial-life-found-in-deep-sea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
2 Mar 2026
Did we accidentally design our cities for mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are usually framed as pests and disease carriers. But what if they are simply one of the most successful species at adapting to the environments we have built? In this episode Ultramarine, David Boldeman is joined by medical entomologist Dr Véronique Paris to explore the hidden water systems inside our cities and how they shape mosquito life. Véronique (https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/813981-veronique-paris) is a Research Fellow in Medical Entomology and Vector Population Control, at the University of Melbourne: https://www.instagram.com/mozzienique/ (https://www.instagram.com/mozzienique/) This podcast is brought to you by ConnectSci, the home of fact-based content you can trust. For the latest science news and discoveries visit https://connectsci.au/news (https://connectsci.au/news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
13 Feb 2026
The impact of shifting ocean currents
Ocean currents are the hidden systems that regulate Earth’s climate, moving heat and energy around the planet. But as the ocean warms, those currents are beginning to shift, with major consequences for Australia. In this episode of the Ultramarine, science journalist Ellen Phiddian explains how ocean currents work, how scientists track their movement, and why predicting their future is so complex. The conversation explores changes already being observed, from the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to the East Australian Current pushing further south along Australia’s east coast. Together, the episode unpacks what scientists know, what remains uncertain, and why Australia, as an island continent surrounded by multiple ocean systems, is particularly exposed to changes in ocean circulation. Understanding how the ocean moves, it turns out, is essential to understanding Australia’s climate future. More information: Earth Nullschool (earth.nullschool.net): An interactive global map that shows ocean currents, winds, and temperatures moving around the planet in near real time. A great way to visualise systems like the East Australian Current. Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) (imos.org.au): Australia’s national network of ocean sensors, moorings, and observing platforms used to track ocean currents, temperature, and conditions around the coastline. For the latest science news and discoveries visit https://connectsci.au/news (https://connectsci.au/news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
27 Jan 2026
The strange physics of tides
David Boldeman is joined by science journalist Ellen Phiddian to explore the strange and often misunderstood physics of tides. The conversation unpacks why most coastlines experience two tides a day, why tidal behaviour varies so dramatically around the world, and what tide charts are actually measuring. Along the way, they examine spring and king tides, the influence of geography and ocean shape, and how tidal forces affect not just the oceans, but the Earth and Moon over deep time including the possibility that tides played a role in the origins of life. For the latest science news and discoveries visit https://connectsci.au/news Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
14 Jan 2026
How do we measure sea level rise?
This episode explains how sea level rise is measured — not just that it’s happening. It demystifies the tools, the data, and the validation process that sit behind one of the most talked-about climate metrics. Sea level is a baseline measurement that underpins city planning, infrastructure design, flood risk modelling, and long-term coastal decision-making. Understanding how we know builds trust in what we know. Science journalist Ellen Phiddian joins host David Boldeman to guide you through the measurement process, how evidence is tested, and how journalists assess confidence in scientific claims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Jan 2026
How you can help save the Great Barrier Reef
In this Ultramarine episode of the Connect Sci Podcast, host David Boldeman speaks with Sean Daly from Citizens of the Reef about how students, teachers, and everyday Australians can play a real role in protecting the Great Barrier Reef. Sean explains the major threats facing coral reefs — especially climate change and outbreaks of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish — and why traditional scientific monitoring can only cover a small fraction of this vast marine system. He talks about the Great Reef Census, a global citizen-science project where divers, tourists, schools, and volunteers photograph and analyse reef images to build the most comprehensive picture yet of reef health. Explore the organisations and resources mentioned: Citizens of the Reef — https://citizensgbr.org/ (https://citizensgbr.org/) Great Reef Census — https://greatreefcensus.org (https://greatreefcensus.org) Schools Program — https://greatreefcensus.org/schools (https://greatreefcensus.org/schools) Sean’s Schools presentation available via Google Drive (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O0EPZgKjqZqq49G0qev--8nF_QWHjQpG/view?usp=drive_link) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Dec 2025
The secret life of dams: small waters shape changing climate
Australia has more than 1.7 million farm dams, and together they play a far greater role in climate and environmental health than most people realise. In this episode of the ConnectSci Podcast, host David Boldeman speaks with Dr Martino Malerba, freshwater ecologist and Senior Lecturer at RMIT University, about the surprising science behind these small but significant water bodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Dec 2025
Saving the Sydney Seahorse
Host David Boldeman explores the underwater world of the Sydney Seahorse (Hippocampus whitei) with marine expert Patrick Noble from Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. This small, endangered species is the only seahorse listed as threatened in Australia, and Patrick shares the incredible science and conservation efforts working to save it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Dec 2025
How to keep Sydney Harbour clean
Dive into the crucial issue of ocean pollution and explore real-world solutions with two passionate advocates for marine conservation. Ultramarine hosts David Boldeman and Steven Boldeman are joined by Tom Batrouney, environmental advocate and community lead at Seabin, and Ashley Hayes, Community Social & Environmental Impact Lead at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Together they unpack how citizen awareness, targeted tech, and collaborative responsibility are key to reclaiming Sydney Harbour’s health. For the latest news on research and discoveries visit connectsci.au/news (connectsci.au/news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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