Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discover that phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms, produce massive amounts of methanol in the ocean, rivaling or exceeding land-based production. This finding challenges previous thinking on oceanic methanol sources and has implications for biofuel applications.
A UCSB biologist and colleagues used satellite data on fishing to help protect ocean biodiversity. They analyzed billions of vessel data points to assess the effectiveness of new marine parks in stopping illegal fishing. The researchers also created a global map of human use of high seas, paving the way for more effective management of...
A special issue on ocean acidification is published by ICES Journal of Marine Science, exploring various effects and interactions with other environmental drivers. The issue features studies with both negative and no significant effects, promoting a broader understanding of the complex mechanisms involved.
Researchers discovered intense deep-ocean turbulence in the equatorial Pacific that plays a crucial role in driving global ocean circulation. The study, published online in Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that this mixing can be simulated using computer models to improve future climate forecasts.
Fiamma Straneo has been chosen by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for the Sverdrup Lecture, a top honor in ocean sciences. Her research focuses on the role of high-latitude oceans in climate change and ice sheet dynamics.
A study has uncovered a complex planktonic network influencing the ocean's biological carbon pump, which removes carbon from the atmosphere. The research found that certain bacterial and viral genes predict variations in carbon export, enabling better predictions of climate change effects.
A recent study reveals that ocean plankton networks play a crucial role in removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it deep in the ocean. The research, led by Matthew Sullivan of Ohio State University, used advanced genetic sequencing to identify clusters of organisms most linked to carbon deposition.
Scientists used clam shells to calculate that methane had persisted for approximately a thousand years at a specific site in the Arctic Ocean. This finding provides insight into the duration of ancient methane seeps and their impact on the environment.
The study found that sediments from the deep Southern Ocean carried smaller amounts of oxygen, indicating phytoplankton took up large amounts of carbon dioxide. This led to a buildup of decaying organic matter that stored extra carbon in the deep sea.
An international team of scientists has collected unprecedented rock samples from the shallow mantle of the ocean crust that bear signs of life and unique carbon cycling. The discovery may provide insights into how life developed on Earth and potentially exist elsewhere in the Universe.
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean has released a set of analytical data products that will improve the scientific basis for regional ocean decision-making. The data, which include information on marine animal distribution, human use patterns, and ocean features, will help stakeholders make informed management decisions.
Rana A. Fine, a professor at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, has been selected as a Fellow of the Oceanography Society for her significant contributions to understanding ocean circulation and ventilation. Her research spans scales from local to global, covering various latitudes and ocean depths.
Scientists have found that global ocean warming has doubled in recent decades, with significant increases in upper ocean temperatures since the 1970s. The study indicates that half of the accumulated heat during the industrial era has occurred in recent decades, with about a third residing in the deeper oceans.
A new study by NOAA researchers predicts that ocean temperatures in the Northeast U.S. may warm twice as fast and three times faster than previously estimated. This accelerated warming is driven by a higher resolution climate model that better reflects regional ocean circulation patterns.
A new study reveals that giant icebergs in the Southern Ocean contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, with enhanced phytoplankton productivity extending hundreds of kilometers beyond the iceberg's length. This process helps slow global warming by storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
A recent West Coast study emphasizes the impacts of ocean acidification and low-oxygen conditions on marine organisms, highlighting serious challenges for life in these areas. The results show that multiple stressors will only increase as ocean conditions worldwide resemble those off the West Coast.
The ORCAS field campaign aims to understand the role of the Southern Ocean in absorbing excess carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. By tracking oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, scientists will gain insights into the ocean's ability to act as a carbon sink.
Researchers find massive release of CO2 from Southern Ocean occurred when Antarctic sea ice melted, not due to changes in ocean density. The expansion and retreat of sea ice acted as a 'lid' controlling CO2 exchange between ocean and atmosphere.
A UK-led study found that seal tags can improve ocean forecasts by providing valuable temperature and salinity recordings in regions rarely sampled. This could lead to better weather predictions and improved marine conditions for industries such as shipping and offshore oil and gas operations.
The ocean microbiome is a vast biological network that regulates global systems, including energy consumption and respiration. Microbes are responsible for virtually all photosynthesis in the ocean and cycle essential nutrients and trace elements.
A study found that coccolithophore abundance has increased by an order of magnitude since the 1960s in the North Atlantic, contrary to predictions. This unexpected finding highlights the complex response of marine ecosystems to climate change.
A new study found a link between abrupt ocean warming at the end of the last ice age and low-oxygen conditions that led to vast marine dead zones. Warming surface temperatures triggered loss of oxygen in the North Pacific, raising concern that similar events will occur again as oceans warm.
A new study finds a link between abrupt ocean warming and low-oxygen conditions that led to vast marine dead zones in the North Pacific. The researchers discovered a clear connection between two prehistoric intervals of abrupt ocean warming that ended the last ice age, resulting in an increase in diatom production and subsequent hypoxia.
The study found that pteropods, a tiny sea snail, will struggle to form their shells due to low carbonate ion concentration. The duration of undersaturation events will increase abruptly, posing an uncertain adaptation for vulnerable marine organisms.
Researchers found that dissolved organic carbon is efficiently removed from ocean water when heated to mimic hydrothermal vent conditions. This process converts the organic molecules into carbon dioxide, reducing oceanic carbon storage.
A University of British Columbia study found that major swaths of the ocean must be protected to reach global biodiversity targets. Currently, only 16% of protected areas are designated as 'no-take' zones, which are crucial for conserving marine life.
A new method estimates fish movements using ocean heat content images, revealing detailed movements not apparent with surface temperature data. The analysis shows large migratory fishes have affinities for ocean fronts and eddies, similar to hurricanes.
Despite recent advancements, only 3.5% of the ocean has protection, compared to 15% of terrestrial areas, highlighting a need for accelerated action. Seven key findings from researchers suggest that full protection, networks, and smart planning can enhance biodiversity and economic benefits.
A new study has found that changes in the polar regions can significantly affect the ocean and climate on the opposite side of the world, far quicker than previously thought. The research linked ocean currents to climate conditions during the last ice age, revealing a tight connection between the two.
Ocean acidification is affecting global marine ecosystems, with the Arctic and Antarctic oceans being particularly vulnerable. The study reveals that waters with lower aragonite saturation state are more corrosive to shellfish and coral species.
Scientists have developed a new technique to measure the speed of internal waves below the ocean surface using a single satellite image. This allows for more accurate information to be obtained from satellites, enabling researchers to track ocean currents and objects moving on or below the surface.
The Ocean Conservancy's report outlines specific land-based solutions for reducing ocean plastic waste, including a four-point plan to cut leakage by 45% in 10 years. The report estimates a total cost of $5 billion and significant returns to the global economy.
A new study from the University of Exeter solves a long-standing climate science mystery by explaining how changes in ocean circulation affect carbon storage. The researchers found that warmer water upwelling in the Southern Ocean helps store more CO2, contributing to glacial cycles.
Research found that changes in ocean circulation due to Antarctica's temperature had a profound impact on the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere. When temperatures dropped, nutrient-rich waters rose closer to the Antarctic continent, allowing phytoplankton to thrive and absorb more CO2.
Researchers analyzed deep sea coral samples to reveal that past carbon dioxide spikes occurred alongside high ocean circulation events. The findings suggest that excess carbon in the deep ocean was flushed out, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.
New studies reveal that the Southern Ocean has increasingly removed more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere since 2002. The research, compiled from millions of ship-based observations, suggests that the Southern Ocean's carbon sink is strengthening, contrary to previous findings.
The Southern Ocean's carbon sink has renewed its strength, absorbing more atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past decade. This improvement is attributed to changes in sea surface temperature and dissolved inorganic carbon levels.
A new MIT study finds that large seasonal changes in desert dust can dramatically affect surface phytoplankton, which rely on iron as a main nutrient for growth. The team determined that iron has a very short residence time in ocean waters, lasting only six months before sinking into the deep ocean.
Researchers found that sediment-entombed marine archaea's growth varies based on changes in ocean oxygen levels, affecting the accuracy of past ocean temperatures. This discovery highlights the need to consider oxygen levels when interpreting the TEX-86 index, a popular method for measuring ancient ocean temperatures.
A study by University College London found that warm, stagnant water from the deep Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas contributed to the end of the last Ice Age. The researchers used proxy data to reconstruct past ocean circulation changes, which showed a warmer deep Arctic Mediterranean during glacial times.
The Ocean Health Initiative aims to protect and restore coastal and marine habitats, supporting the conservation of threatened marine and coastal species. The program, funded by a $1.5 million pledge from SeaWorld Entertainment, will focus on key estuaries along the Eastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
A new digital seafloor geologic map created using artificial intelligence reveals that deep ocean basins are more complex than previously thought. The map shows diatom accumulations on the seafloor are nearly entirely decoupled from diatom blooms in surface waters, highlighting a key link in the carbon cycle.
A new study warns that continued carbon dioxide emission trends would leave a lasting impact on the deep ocean, with acidification and warming posing significant threats to marine life. Removing CO2 from the atmosphere through Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) strategies may not be effective in reversing these effects.
The University of Montana's Sunburst Sensors won a $1.5 million XPRIZE for developing an affordable and accurate pH sensor to measure ocean chemistry, recognizing efforts to combat ocean acidification. The company, founded by UM professor Mike DeGrandpre, employed 9 people at the time of the win.
Phytoplankton, the base of marine food chains, may experience significant changes due to ocean acidification, with some species dying out while others thrive. The study found that increased acidity could lead to altered competition among species, affecting entire ecosystems and potentially impacting predators like polar bears.
New research reveals that marine plankton in the Southern Ocean produce airborne gases and organic matter to seed cloud droplets, leading to brighter clouds. The study found correlations between phytoplankton blooms and increased cloud droplet concentrations, which reflect about 4 watts of solar energy per square meter.
Ocean organisms produce aerosols that nearly double cloud droplet numbers in summer, boosting sunlight reflection. The study estimates the equivalent solar energy impact over the whole Southern Ocean.
Research reveals Alaskan coastal waters may struggle to support shellfish hatcheries due to ocean acidification, with potential impacts on the industry by 2040. The study highlights the need for effective monitoring and mitigation efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of shellfish farming in Alaska.
The global seafood supply will be substantially altered by climate change, overfishing, and ocean acidification, leading to a decline in fisheries and marine biodiversity. Researchers recommend improving ocean governance and limiting carbon dioxide emissions to mitigate these effects.
Researchers from UiT The Arctic University of Norway have imaged deep Arctic Ocean methane seeps for the first time using a custom-designed system. The images reveal over 1000 active seep sites at depths of over 1000 m, providing valuable insights into gas hydrate and climate change.
Scientists developed a computer model that studies ocean mixing in vast eddies, clarifying the complex processes driving ocean storms. The model enables researchers to study heat and carbon fluxes into the deep ocean, increasing global climate simulation accuracy.
Research aims to understand how Antarctic fish will respond to rising ocean temperatures, which could impact the food web and ecosystem. The study will focus on embryo viability, development rate, and temperature stress response in two species, and provide data for informing climate change strategies.
The Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal has launched new features to expand pathways for participation and collaboration. The platform now includes Ocean Stories, Map Groups, and enhanced organization tools, empowering stakeholders to share their perspectives and work together on ocean planning challenges.
A new study has found that coral reefs in Palau are showing few of the predicted responses to low pH caused by ocean acidification. Instead, these reefs exhibit increased bio-erosion, but also host more species and have greater coral cover than in other naturally low pH reef systems.
A new study found that coral reefs in Palau's naturally acidic waters are thriving, despite the expected negative impacts of ocean acidification. However, increased bioerosion was observed, threatening the long-term survival of these ecosystems. The research team hopes to better understand how corals adapt to low pH conditions.
Researchers have found a novel way to 'read the Earth's LIPS', revealing a previously missed connection between Large Igneous Provinces and mid-ocean ridges. This discovery changes our understanding of massive volcanism in ocean basins, suggesting that undersea eruptions are less catastrophic than thought.
A five-year project aims to combine species counts and ecological data with newer data gathered using satellites, robots, and genetic analyses. The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) will classify habitats and sample each area effectively using regional maps and environmental DNA.
Researchers discovered that a 55 million-year-old ocean current, formed by the North Atlantic's shape and changes in ocean currents, caused more severe acidification than other oceans during the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum. This event may have implications for today's climate sensitivity to increasing carbon dioxide.
A new study led by University of Southampton researchers suggests that ocean acidification may not have caused the mass extinction of ammonites and other planktonic calcifiers. The research found that the asteroid impact was the primary cause of the extinctions, but not due to ocean acidification levels being too weak.
A 55-million-year-old global warming event triggered a highly corrosive deep-water current in the North Atlantic Ocean. Researchers recreated the ocean basins and land masses of that time using a global climate model to understand how this event occurred.