‘Curious Conversations’ podcast: Brian Romans talks about Antarctic Bottom Water
Brian Romans joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about Antarctic Bottom Water and its significance for global ocean circulation and climate science. He explained the processes involved in studying ocean currents, the geological records that provide insights into past ocean conditions, and the impact of environmental shifts on these dynamics. Romans also shared his personal journey into oceanography and highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing climate-related challenges.
“Curious Conversations” is available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Takeaways
Antarctic Bottom Water is the densest water mass in the ocean, formed from cold, salty waters sourced from Antarctica.
Romans and his colleagues employ a technique known as paleoceanography, which involves examining sediment cores from the seabed to reconstruct the history of Antarctic Bottom Water over millions of years.
By better understanding how past climate events impacted ocean currents, researchers can better predict the impacts of future scenarios.
About Romans
Romans is a professor of sedimentary geoscience in Virginia Tech’s College of Science. His research interests include the study of ancient and modern sedimentary systems using outcrop, subsurface, and Earth-surface data to better understand past and predict future geologic problems related to tectonic or shifts in the environment.
Learn more
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About the podcast
"Curious Conversations" is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Travis Williams, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation, university researchers share their expertise and motivations as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.
