Researchers found that diatoms, a type of phytoplankton, host nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, contradicting previous assumptions that blue-green algae were the primary drivers. The study reveals an important mechanism for regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate.
Researchers found that focusing of waves by shoals and currents can increase the likelihood of freak waves by up to 10 times. Freak waves are extreme waves measuring roughly three times the size of average wave height, posing significant risks for shipping and navigation in coastal areas.
Researchers from the National Oceanography Centre have made significant discoveries using iron isotopes to study sediment respiration and iron cycling processes in the deep-sea. The findings provide new insights into iron's role in the ocean's carbon cycle and its impact on climate.
A two-year study by scientists reveals that steps taken to curb overfishing are beginning to succeed in five of the 10 large marine ecosystems. Management solutions such as catch quotas, community management, and fishing closures offer promise for restoring fisheries and ecosystems.
The CHIKYU vessel conducted the first riser-drilling operation in the Nankai Trough earthquake zone, reaching a depth of 1,603.7 meters beneath the seafloor. The operation provided valuable information on geological formations and stress-strain characteristics.
In the Caribbean Sea, environmental changes led to a shift from clonal to sexual reproduction among cupuladriid bryozoans. This shift enabled species to survive by becoming more robust against fragmentation, while those that failed to adapt went extinct.
Researchers discovered prominent faults beneath the Salton Sea that transfer tectonic strain away from the San Andreas Fault. This new understanding of the fault system could inform predictions of future earthquakes along the southern San Andreas Fault.
A new study reveals that low-level stratiform clouds appear to dissipate as the ocean warms, indicating that changes in these clouds may enhance global warming. The research also suggests a critical role for weakening trade winds in reducing cloudiness.
A Scripps-led study reveals that improving ocean health can accelerate coral reef recovery after bleaching events. Corals from reefs with clean water and abundant sea life bounced back to normal growth rates within two to three years.
A study published in Nature finds that sea ice formed in the Arctic before it did in Antarctica, contradicting scientific expectation. The researchers analyzed oceanic sediment cores and fossilized diatoms to conclude that episodic sea ice formation began around 47.5 million years ago.
Scientists have successfully detected a harmful algal species and its toxin below the ocean's surface using a robotic instrument called the Environmental Sample Processor. This achievement represents a major breakthrough in monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their effects on coastal ecosystems and human health.
Researchers have developed computational tools to decode and rapidly determine whether natural compounds are new or patented. These advances will speed the discovery process, enabling scientists to characterize ring-shaped nonribosomal peptides and accelerate the timeline for bringing new therapies into clinical application.
Researchers discovered that whale falls create persistent chemosynthetic habitats in surrounding sediment for over seven years. These habitats are comparable to those found at deep-sea cold seeps and hydrothermal vents.
Scientists discover regular alternation of microscopically thin layers composed of distinct diatom assemblages, reflecting seasonal changes in the Arctic Ocean during the Late Cretaceous. This indicates exceptional abundances of diatoms adapted to stratified conditions, suggesting a pointer to future trends in the modern ocean.
In the high-latitude North Atlantic, low iron availability unexpectedly limits summer biological production. Experimental results show that adding iron increases photosynthetic efficiency and growth of phytoplankton, but insufficient iron is available to support the bloom.
A study reveals that king crabs' ability to live in low-temperature waters drove their evolution and spread globally, while also influencing the distribution of other marine species. The research, published in the Journal of Biogeography, highlights the importance of temperature in shaping the biology and ecology of deep-sea creatures.
The tropical rain band is shifting north at an average rate of 1.4 kilometers per year, which could lead to droughts in Pacific islands and reduced freshwater supplies by mid-century or sooner. The shift is attributed to the warming world, with greenhouse gases potentially accelerating this process.
The NSF-funded project will create a long-term index of Agulhas Current transport using in situ measurements and satellite data. This will provide valuable insights into seasonal to decadal variability and its impact on global climate patterns.
Scientists have found that when sulfate and soot mix in the atmosphere, the sulfate shell enhances the absorption of light by coated soot particles. This mixing happens quickly and affects the role of soot in climate change, potentially leading to more warming.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that high CO2 levels in water lead to abnormally large ear bones in fish, a vital structure for sensing orientation and acceleration. The study suggests potential implications for the survival and behavior of affected fish.
A team of scientists found surprisingly few organisms beneath the seafloor of the South Pacific Gyre, with cell counts three to four orders of magnitude lower than at similar depths outside gyres. The sediment's oxygen levels were also unexpectedly high, supporting an aerobic community.
A new record reveals a systematic equilibrium relationship between global temperature and CO2 concentrations and sea-level changes over the last five glacial cycles. This suggests that even stabilisation at today's CO2 levels may commit us to sea-level rise, potentially exceeding long-term projections.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that most fisheries management regimes are lagging behind international standards, highlighting the need for transparent policy-making processes. The research assessed global fisheries management practices and evaluated their effectiveness in ensuring sustainability.
A new study finds that abrupt changes in climate may lead to shifts in monsoon patterns, resulting in lower vegetation growth, drier tropics, and increased wildfires. The research used oxygen isotopes in air from ice cores and ancient stalagmites to support these findings.
The free NSF-funded e-booklet provides a concise primer on the essential information everyone should know about the Earth sciences. The Earth Science Literacy Initiative's framework document establishes nine 'Big Ideas' and supporting concepts, covering key areas like geology, climate science, and oceanography.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography describe a direct comparison between sperm whale clicking sounds and its physical features, including size and internal organ structure. The study provides a glimpse into a possible new approach for investigating the biology behind marine mammal sounds.
A study found high concentrations of pollutants in marine mammals' brains, including pesticides like DDTs and PCBs, as well as brominated flame retardants. The results have significant implications for the health of marine mammals, particularly their hearing and cognitive development.
Researchers have discovered a massive family of green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) in a primitive sea animal, revealing their unexpected role as antioxidants. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution and functions of GFPs across the animal kingdom.
Researchers will build an underwater virtual reality 'holodeck' to study cephalopod camouflage, measuring light fields and behavior in different environments. The goal is to understand the nature of their vision, color perception, and skin optical properties.
A team of UC San Diego-led researchers made the first-ever direct detection of biological particles within ice clouds. Analysis revealed that half were mineral dust and about a third contained nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon, the signature elements of biological matter.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Duke University have discovered a new pathway for cold water to flow southward in the North Atlantic. The study used field observations and computer models to find that much of the Labrador Sea Water follows an interior path, not along the traditional deep western boundary current.
Researchers used sophisticated floats to show that much of the cold Labrador seawater is diverted eastward by the time it reaches Massachusetts, rather than following a continuous loop with warm surface waters. This finding may affect global warming forecasters and climate signal measurement in the deep ocean.
Researchers have found drastic changes in sediment cores from river deltas worldwide, revealing past changes in nitrogen application, flooding, and hurricane events. The study highlights the importance of deltaic sediments as a 'history book' for understanding environmental changes, particularly in relation to climate change.
Scientists discover carbon-based lavas are sourced from the upper mantle through partial melting of typical minerals, producing extremely fluid and low-silica lavas. The study reveals a uniform reservoir of volcanic gases beneath both oceans and continents.
New studies by Scripps Institution of Oceanography suggest a magnitude-7 earthquake occurs every 2,000 to 3,000 years in Lake Tahoe's basin. The largest fault in the basin, West Tahoe, appears to have last ruptured between 4,100 and 4,500 years ago, capable of producing nearly 500m of overlying water tsunami waves.
The University of Washington's seaglider successfully operated for six months under the ice in Davis Strait, collecting data on fresh water exiting the Arctic. The record-breaking deployment contributes to understanding climate change impacts on ocean circulation.
Researchers found that a surge in atmospheric methane gas 11,600 years ago was more chemically consistent with an expansion of wetlands rather than a large-scale melting of frozen methane deposits. This discovery suggests that wetland regions may have played a significant role in regulating global warming during past events.
Dr. Karen Heywood has made significant advancements in understanding the ocean's role in climate change, using novel research methods and data analysis. She will be honored with the Georg Wüst Prize at the European Geophysical Union assembly in Vienna.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that human-caused climate change will reduce the Colorado River's capacity to deliver water, leading to shortfalls 40-90% of the time by 2025 and doubling by the late century. The study suggests that reducing average water use could help sustain the system.
A University of Iowa biologist is studying how picoeukaryotes, tiny ocean plants, adapt to changing environments in response to climate change. The research found that despite sharing similar morphology, these organisms have distinct gene pools and unique genetic features that allow them to thrive in different ocean regions.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered a connection between the sound produced by volcanic eruptions and jet engines. By analyzing infrasound from Mount St. Helens and Tungurahua volcanoes, they found that the large-amplitude signals are generated in a similar way to smaller-scale man-made jets.
Bowman Global Change advocates for standardized greenhouse gas measurements and clear scientific communication to empower policymakers and the public. The initiative aims to reduce confusion and inform sustainability choices based on accurate science.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered that marine fireworms use bioluminescence for both attracting mates and as a defense mechanism to distract predators. The study found that the light is stable in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius and resilient in low oxygen levels.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School has awarded funding to Drs. Paquita Zuidema and Lisa Beal, who will use their grants to improve communication skills among scientists from underrepresented groups. Dr. Beal's workshop aims to foster international collaboration in the Southwest Indian Ocean community.
Two new greenhouse gases, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2), are accumulating in the atmosphere at a rapid rate. These potent gases have significant global-warming potential and are used in industrial processes as alternatives to other harmful gases.
Scientists use Autosub, a robot submarine, to map the seabed and underside of Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica. The mission aims to understand why the glacier is thinning and accelerating over recent decades.
A new study by Cornell University uses advanced tracking technologies to monitor declining fish populations. The research reveals that mixing of stocks is a major issue in unsustainable fishing practices, highlighting the need for updated management strategies.
The new SemountsOnline portal offers improved management of seamount resources and conservation of seamount habitat through its expanded spatial searching tools. Researchers and managers can now access a vast amount of data on seamount biological communities, facilitating a greater understanding of seamount ecosystems.
A new study identifies sulfuryl fluoride as a significant contributor to future greenhouse warming due to its long lifetime of 36 years. The gas is currently present in the atmosphere at very small quantities, but increasing emissions pose a risk.
Phytoplankton in tropical and subtropical seas use non-phosphorus containing 'substitute lipids' that utilize sulfur instead of phosphorus, allowing them to continue growing under phosphorus stress conditions. This unique strategy has implications for the future structure and biodiversity of Hawaiian marine ecosystems.
An international team will explore subglacial Lake Ellsworth in Antarctica for unique life forms and clues about climate change. The five-year project aims to acquire technologies needed to sample water from the lake and extract sediment from its bed, shedding light on life's existence in extreme environments.
Researchers identify aerosols as a crucial factor in shaping Australian rainfall patterns, with potential impacts on future climate change. Aerosol pollution from Asia may be responsible for changes in rainfall patterns in northern Australia.
A Scripps Institution of Oceanography study has provided evidence of a drastic decline in Florida's reef fish, with 'trophy fish' shrinking by nearly two-thirds over the last five decades. The study used archival photographs to analyze the weight and length of large predatory fish caught around coral reefs.
The observed ocean warming has contributed significantly to global average sea level rise, with a 20mm increase over the past 53 years. The thermosteric component of sea level change is one of several factors affecting sea level, including glacier melting and freshwater transfer.
Researchers highlight successes in managing fish stocks and protecting Pacific coral reefs from climate change impacts. These efforts may offer a temporary reprieve, but prioritizing biodiversity protection is crucial.
The AAAS Symposium explores emerging threats to terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including habitat loss, climate change, and overfishing. Researchers will discuss research challenges and synthesis of current and emerging threats.
Researchers found that diverse croplands lead to lower dissolved nitrogen levels in surrounding watersheds, reducing aquatic pollution. The study suggests that policy changes can mitigate the negative impacts of agriculture on water quality through crop rotation and buffer zone implementation.
A new study suggests that climate change could postpone the recovery of stratospheric ozone in tropical and southern mid-latitudes, leading to increased skin cancer risks for fair-skinned populations. This delay might be caused by changes in air circulation patterns and reduced ozone formation.
A new study identifies a hotspot for toxic harmful algal blooms (HABS) in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which can trigger blooms and force shellfish bed closures. The research aims to provide early warnings to protect human health and reduce economic losses due to biotoxin accumulation.
Scientists found that natural iron fertilization enhanced phytoplankton growth and productivity in the Southern Ocean, leading to two to three times more carbon export to the deep ocean. The research suggests that ocean islands are a key source of iron for these blooms.