A University of Liverpool study reveals that the Caribbean Sea's unique resonance produces oscillations in the Earth's gravity field, detectable from space. These changes can cause significant sea level fluctuations, influencing coastal flooding and climate regulation.
A special issue of Deep Sea Research II explores the global issue of chemical munitions dumped at sea, finding that while some munitions pose little risk to humans, others can have adverse effects on fish populations. International collaboration has shed light on techniques for investigating munitions dumpsites and mitigating damage.
Researchers discovered sea snakes use scale sensilla to sense vibrations in water, allowing them to detect objects at a distance. This hydrodynamic sense is not possible for land animals and could be impacted by man-made disturbances.
Operation IceBridge completed its eighth spring Arctic campaign, collecting data on key portions of the Greenland Ice Sheet and Arctic sea ice. The mission focused on measuring changes in sea ice extent, thickness, and elevation, with implications for predicting melt season patterns.
Regulation of localized sea turtle bycatch in the Hawaii longline swordfish fishery led to increased total sea turtle bycatch in the surrounding area. The study found that without such regulation, sea turtle bycatch would be 11% lower than actual counts.
Researchers found that sea urchins with shorter life expectancies do not experience a decline in regenerative capacity with age, contradicting the prevailing theory on evolution of aging. The study suggests that aging may not be inevitable and could be influenced by other factors.
A new University of Florida study proves removing beach debris significantly increases the number of sea turtle nests. The study shows that clearing beaches of flotsam and jetsam increased nest numbers by as much as 200 percent, while leaving detritus decreased them by nearly 50 percent.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found an unprecedented abundance of juvenile sea star offspring along the Oregon coast, but warns that a second wave of the deadly 'sea star wasting disease' could be disastrous. The disease nearly wiped out the population in 2014 and its impact on the ecosystem is still unknown.
The 2013-2014 sea star wasting epidemic had a significant impact on the Oregon coast population, with up to 80% of sea stars dying during the outbreak. However, by spring 2015, the population was recovering in numbers, with study sites having up to 300 times as many new sea stars as in 2014.
A new study by University of Exeter expert Dr James Screen found that Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) affects Arctic amplification, with varying sea-ice loss impacting warming rates. The 'negative' phase of PDO leads to greater Arctic warming due to colder ocean temperatures along the west coast of North America.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that groundwater extraction contributes about three times less to sea level rise than previously estimated, with an accurate figure of around 80%. This revised estimate suggests that other processes may be contributing more water to sea level rise, widening the gap between modeled ...
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a detailed map of the California sea lion's brain, highlighting its unique somatosensory system. The study revealed specific areas in the brain responsible for processing touch information from whiskers and flippers, similar to those found in mice and humans.
Sea ice physicists project a possible record-low Arctic sea ice extent this summer, with thin ice unlikely to survive the melting season. The CryoSat-2 satellite data shows that arctic sea ice was unusually thin in 2015 and grew slowly during the past winter.
A study found polar bears are swimming more due to reduced summer sea ice, with adult females covering distances of up to 249 miles in search of food. Climate change is linked to the increased swimming behavior, which may have serious implications for polar bear populations.
A new University of Miami-led study found significant increases in flooding frequency in Miami Beach over the last decade due to accelerated sea-level rise. The researchers suggest using regional sea-level rise projections to better prepare for future flood hazards in South Florida.
A new ice sheet model suggests that Antarctic ice sheet melting could lead to a 50-foot rise in sea level by 2500, potentially doubling previous estimates. The researchers attribute this to ocean warming and the fracturing of floating ice shelves, which would cause them to collapse into the sea.
A study by Rutgers University researchers links Greenland's melting surface ice to shrinking Arctic sea ice and strong 'blocking-high' pressure systems. The findings highlight the increased threat of coastal communities as sea levels rise.
A genetic study on 'Burnt Hot Dog' sea cucumbers reveals low genetic diversity in polluted areas, highlighting the need for increased fisheries management and protections. The study also finds that these sea cucumbers play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems.
A new study forecasts that a 6-foot sea level rise will expose over 13 million American homes to flooding and other hazards, with Florida facing the greatest risk. The research provides policymakers with detailed information to develop practical adaptation strategies for protecting land threatened by frequent and repeated inundation.
A decade-long decline in high-calorie fish prey, such as sardines and anchovies, has led to a decrease in the weight of California sea lion pups. This is because nursing females struggle to support their pups' nutritional needs with lower-calorie alternatives like market squid.
Researchers analyze Kolponomos fossils and compare them to those of Smilodon, finding similarities in jaw structure suitable for anchoring against prey. The study suggests that Kolponomos may have used an anchor-biting strategy to pry hard-shelled invertebrates from rocks.
A new method quantifies monetary losses from coastal floods under sea-level rise, showing that damage costs consistently increase at a higher rate. The study provides estimates of average annual costs of sea-level rise over longer time periods, helping policymakers assess adaptation measures.
A new study combines two methods for estimating future sea-level rise, yielding a more robust risk range of 50-130 centimeters by 2100. The research provides critical information for coastal planners, who can use the tool to assess adaptation strategies and design flood insurance schemes.
Researchers at National Oceanography Centre use GPS reflections to measure sea surface height from space for the first time. This technique provides a new way to monitor ocean currents by detecting variations in sea surface height caused by currents.
A Rutgers University-led study published today reveals that the Earth's sea level rose by about 14 centimeters between 1900 and 2000, a substantial increase for vulnerable coastal areas. Without global warming, sea levels might have declined or risen less than half of this amount.
A team of geologists at UC Santa Barbara is measuring coastal erosion and the effects of sea level rise and higher energy storms brought by El Niño this winter. The study aims to simulate future climate conditions and provide insights into California's coast a century from now.
New research documents high levels of algal toxins in Alaskan marine mammals, including whales, walruses, and sea otters. The study finds a major northward expansion of toxin-exposed areas along the Pacific Coast, with implications for human consumption.
Research shows that artificial lights along Florida's coast deter nesting females but also find that sea turtle-friendly lighting ordinances are working. The density of sea turtle nests is reduced where artificial light is brightest and higher where it's dark.
Researchers discovered that certain sea slugs selectively store the toxin Latrunculin A, which is more toxic to cancer cell lines than other compounds. Bright colours and chemical defences are used by these creatures to warn potential predators away.
Scientists have discovered two critically endangered species of sea snakes off the coast of Western Australia, including the short-nosed and leaf-scaled sea snakes. The discoveries were made in Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay, raising hopes for conservation efforts to protect these unique species.
A Dartmouth College-led study finds that melting sea ice will significantly increase Arctic precipitation, creating a climate feedback comparable to doubling global carbon dioxide. The researchers used isotopic compositions of precipitation to quantify the link between precipitation and sea ice change.
A new study predicts that rail services in the South West of England will be disrupted for over 40 days per year by 2040 and up to 120 days by 2100 due to rising sea levels. The cost of maintaining tracks and sea defences is also expected to soar, with estimated annual costs rising from £800,000 to £5.8-7.6 million by 2040.
Humpback whales' diets reflect surrounding environmental changes, while harbor porpoises recolonize San Francisco Bay and sea otters help restore ecosystem health. New research highlights the West Coast's diverse marine mammals and their responses to climate change.
A study found that chronic exposure to domoic acid causes significant deficits in spatial memory and brain damage in California sea lions. The research documented impaired performance on short- and long-term spatial memory tasks and linked the extent of hippocampal damage to specific behavioral impairments.
A new study reveals that exposure to algal toxin domoic acid impairs the memory of California sea lions, affecting their ability to navigate and find food. The researchers found structural abnormalities in the animals' hippocampal regions, which corresponded to poorer performance on spatial memory tasks.
Research at the Society of Marine Mammalogy's Biennial Conference highlights how climate change is affecting marine mammals globally, introducing new interactions and shifting habitats. Marine mammals, especially in the Arctic, serve as sentinel species reflecting environmental changes.
Scientists at NCAR predict a possible slow-down in winter sea ice loss over the next several years, driven by changes in the North Atlantic ocean circulation. Weakening of the AMOC may mask human-caused climate change impacts and stabilize sea ice extent.
A new study reveals that female leatherback sea turtles choose nest sites based on sand pH and conductivity levels, with slightly higher pH and milder conductivity being preferred. This knowledge will aid in protecting the species' nesting habitat and boost ecotourism incentives.
Researchers at Lund University estimate that sea traffic emissions account for almost half of measured particles in coastal air, exceeding previous estimates. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lungs than larger particles, contributing to health issues.
A study found that Chukchi Sea polar bears spent more time on land during summer sea ice loss, with minimal access to preferred prey. The increased land use may lead to increased nutritional stress and human-polar bear interactions.
A new study suggests that Antarctic ice sheet collapse will contribute to a significant but lower-than-expected 10-30 cm sea-level rise over the next two hundred years. The research uses an ice-sheet model to predict the consequences of unstable retreat of the ice, which recent studies suggest has begun in West Antarctica.
New studies reveal that human-produced aerosols could lead to up to 40% of future Arctic sea ice loss and formation of coastal sea ice drives North Pacific ocean circulation. Meanwhile, scientists face challenges in predicting sea level rise from West Antarctica's melting ice sheet.
The 2015 Antarctic maximum sea ice extent is the 22nd lowest on record, breaking a streak of record highs. The strong El Niño event had an impact on the sea ice distribution in west Antarctica, causing it to be 513,000 square miles below the previous record high.
Researchers detected parabens and their byproducts in tissues of marine mammals like dolphins, sea otters, and polar bears. High levels were found in some species, with tens of thousands of nanograms per gram of tissue.
Researchers find overexploitation of resources by adaptable predators can cause long-term negative effects on food webs. The change in prey can trigger an extinction cascade where species are wiped out in a domino effect.
A new report by the University of Washington reveals 253 known fish species living in the Salish Sea region, including some newly added and removed species. The comprehensive survey represents the first thorough analysis of Salish Sea fishes in 35 years.
Climate models predict a doubling of extreme interannual sea level swings in the tropical southwestern Pacific, posing significant risks to vulnerable coastlines. Sea level drops and flooding will have severe consequences for Pacific Island communities adapting to rising sea levels.
Methane emissions from Arctic tundra increase when sea ice melts due to altered ocean temperatures and microbial activity. The loss of sea ice has a significant impact on the Arctic climate, leading to higher temperatures and increased methane production.
The 2015 Arctic sea ice minimum extent is the fourth lowest on record, with a minimum of 1.70 million square miles. The decline in sea ice cover has accelerated since the late 1970s and is attributed to warming temperatures.
Researchers found that global sea level during the Pliocene warm period was 30-44 feet higher than previously thought, but significantly lower than estimated. The study suggests that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet might be more resilient to climate change than previously assumed.
A new European Marine Board paper highlights the need for major progress in deep-sea research to underpin future management and exploitation of living and non-living deep-sea resources. The report identifies deficiencies in basic knowledge of deep-sea systems, which could hinder ecosystem-based management and limit sustainability.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have developed a new technique for estimating sea ice concentration, improving US Navy forecasts by almost 40%. The blended input approach combines satellite data and human interpretation to capture smaller patches of sea ice, enhancing forecast accuracy.
A new study finds Pribilof Canyon in the Bering Sea to contain dense populations of deep-sea corals and sponges, making it a crucial area for conservation efforts. The research also suggests that restrictions on bottom-contact fishing can be implemented without significantly impacting the commercial fishing industry.
Researchers have found that sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay region deviate from global trends due to glacio-isostatic adjustment, with implications for future subsidence and sea-level rise. The study suggests that the region will continue to experience subsidence for millennia, exacerbating coastal erosion and resource loss.
A University of Texas at Arlington study reveals that sea stars have an immune response characterized by various types of immunities, including the first melanin gene ever recorded in a sea star. The team also found changes in genes related to collagen and nervous system function, which may contribute to the disease's effects.
Scientists used genetic analysis of otter droppings, known as spraint, to estimate the size of the population. They found around 20 otters living in a 35-square-kilometer area, with numbers fluctuating depending on pond yields.
New calculations by researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute show a significant risk of major sea level rise in Northern Europe, with potential increases of up to 1.5 meters in Scandinavia, England, and northern Germany. The study highlights regional differences in gravity and land uplift affecting sea levels.
A mass mortality event affected millions of purple sea urchins and tiny sea stars along a 62-mile stretch of Northern California coast. The study suggests that long-term population and ecosystem consequences are expected as these species play key roles in maintaining tide pool balance.
Operation IceBridge successfully collected data over sea and land ice regions, releasing two sea ice data products to aid in forecasting Arctic sea ice behavior. The mission also supported various international research collaborations and provided valuable data to inform models predicting summer sea ice melt.
A beached iceberg in Antarctica has provided a unique natural experiment to study the effects of sea-ice changes on marine ecosystems. The study found that seaweed on the sea floor had decomposed or become discolored due to lack of light, while darker-adapted animals started to colonize the area.