Ocean pipes 'not cool,' would end up warming climate
A new study suggests that ocean pipes would increase global warming due to decreased cloud cover and increased sea-ice melting, rather than cooling the Earth as predicted.
Search results for “Ocean Change”
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A sea change for ocean resource management
Researchers develop 'dynamic ocean management' to integrate real-time data and crowd-sourced reports into ocean industry applications. This approach aims to protect vulnerable ecosystems while promoting sustainable resource use, in line with industries' profitability.
Ocean acidification slows algae growth in the Southern Ocean
A study by Alfred Wegener Institute finds that ocean acidification negatively impacts diatom growth in the Southern Ocean, particularly under changing light conditions. Diatoms' biomass production could be drastically reduced in future scenarios with more acidic water.
SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalNew Phytologist·DateFeb 24, 2015
Via laser into the past of the oceans
Scientists from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel reconstructed pH values of northern Pacific ocean over past 120 years with monthly resolution. The study found that the pH value has been declining since late 19th century, coinciding with rising carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere.
SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2015
UM Rosenstiel School professor receives $2.5 million to study Agulhas Current
A $2.5 million NSF grant will support the five-year Agulhas System Climate Array project, which aims to monitor changes in the ocean's circulation due to climate change. The research will focus on the physical characteristics of the Agulhas Current and its role in global climate variability.
New techniques reveal how microbes shape the health and biodiversity of oceans
Innovative sequencing technologies are allowing scientists to study ocean microbes, revealing their critical role in the global carbon cycle and ecosystem health. The findings highlight the diversity of marine protists and their impact on ocean ecosystems.
New study in Science calculates amount of plastic waste going into the ocean
A recent study published in Science estimates that between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, mainly from coastal regions. The researchers used a grand model to estimate the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean and found that it is significantly higher than previously estimated.
Carbon release from ocean helped end the Ice Age
A study published in Nature shows that a release of carbon dioxide from the deep Southern Ocean helped bring an end to the last Ice Age. The finding provides insight into how oceanic carbon storage affects climate change.
Carbon release from ocean helped end the Ice Age
A recent study published in Nature found that carbon stored in an isolated reservoir deep in the Southern Ocean re-connected with the atmosphere, driving a rise in atmospheric CO2 and global temperatures. This process is crucial in understanding how the ocean affects the carbon cycle and climate change.
Carbon release from ocean helped end Ice Age
Researchers found that a massive release of carbon dioxide from the ocean during the last ice age warmed the planet and ended the glacial period. The study, published in Nature, suggests that natural variations in atmospheric carbon dioxide are linked to carbon stored in oceans.
ORCA prototype ready for the open ocean
ORCA will study microscopic phytoplankton and their impact on the carbon cycle, measuring chlorophyll concentrations and distinguishing between types of phytoplankton. The instrument's hyperspectral capability offers a range of bands to refine ocean observations.
How will ocean acidification impact marine life?
A new analysis finds that ocean acidification could significantly impact up to 21-32% of calcifying marine species, including coral, clams, and sea urchins. This widespread impact could have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems worldwide, as these species provide essential nursery habitats and food sources for other marine organisms.
Study finds deep ocean is source of dissolved iron in Central Pacific
A new study by scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals that the deep ocean is a major source of dissolved iron in the central Pacific Ocean. The research found that hydrothermal vents and sediments thousands of meters below the sea surface are the primary sources of iron, contradicting previous assumptions.
SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015
Smothered oceans
A study from the University of California, Davis reveals extreme oxygen loss in oceans around 10,000-17,000 years ago, coinciding with past global climate change. The findings suggest that modern oceans are moving into a state with no precedent in human history.
New species discovered beneath ocean crust
Researchers have discovered new microbes beneath the ocean crust that breathe sulfate, breaking down organic material and producing carbon dioxide. These microbes play a vital role in the global carbon cycle, which is being disrupted by human-made carbon dioxide emissions.
New challenges for ocean acidification research
As ocean acidification research expands its scope, experts highlight the need for integrated assessments, considering multiple stressors and evolutionary adaptation. Laboratory experiments show that adaptation is possible, but its ability to keep pace with fast-changing ecosystems remains uncertain.
SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 19, 2014
New study explains the role of oceans in global 'warming hiatus'
A new study attributes the global 'warming hiatus' to increased oceanic heat drawdown, particularly in the equatorial Pacific, North Atlantic, and Southern Ocean basins. The research reveals distinct mechanisms for each region, improving climate models' projections of future temperature changes.
Ancient algae provides clues of climate impact on today's microscopic ocean organisms
A recent study by University of Southampton researchers found that ancient marine algae, such as coccolithophores, experienced reduced growth and skeletal structure changes in response to climate warming and ocean acidification during the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The research provides a long-term perspective on the impa...
Another human footprint in the ocean
A recent study revealed a significant increase in anthropogenic nitrate levels in the North Pacific Ocean over the past 30 years, primarily due to enhanced atmospheric deposition. This shift in nutrient availability may favor certain marine organisms and alter the base of the marine food web.
Toolkit for ocean health
The future ocean will be warmer, with reduced ice extent, higher sea levels, more acidic, and lower oxygen levels. Research must focus on understanding marine systems' responses to cumulative pressures.
The living, breathing ocean
Researchers find that climate change may affect the ratio of oxygen consumed to phosphorus released during organic matter respiration in the subsurface ocean. This shift could lead to more carbon being stored in the ocean, potentially offsetting the slowdown of the ocean's uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Biology trumps chemistry in open ocean
Phytoplankton in the open ocean are responsible for half of global oxygen production, but how they assimilate limited nutrients was unclear. A new framework describes how microbial biodiversity affects phytoplankton's ability to take up phosphorus, a key nutrient.
SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2014
Livermore scientists show salinity counts when it comes to sea level
Researchers found a long-term pattern in salinity-driven sea level changes globally, with increases in the Pacific Ocean and decreases in the Atlantic. This salinity effect accounts for approximately 25% of total sea level change, emphasizing its importance in assessments.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 20, 2014
Ocean primed for more El Niño
A new study using coral samples from a remote Pacific island in Kiribati reveals the ocean has warmed over the last sixty years, priming it for stronger El Niáo events. This warming trend could have a major impact on Australia's weather, particularly during El Niáo events when warm waters move eastward and bring droughts.
Iron fertilization less efficient for deep-sea CO2 storage than previously thought?
A new study reveals that iron fertilization in the Southern Ocean may reduce the biological carbon pump's ability to transport carbon dioxide into the deep ocean. This process, which draws carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the sea, is crucial for mitigating climate change.
SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalNature Geoscience·DateNov 10, 2014
Robotic ocean gliders aid study of melting polar ice
Researchers used robotic ocean gliders to study the transport of warm water near the Antarctic coast, discovering that swirling ocean eddies play a key role in this process. The findings will aid in determining how rapidly ice is melting and contributing to rising ocean levels.
Climate change caused by ocean, not just atmosphere, new Rutgers study finds
A new Rutgers study published in Science found that ocean circulation plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. The researchers discovered that changes in the deep ocean conveyor system around 2.7 million years ago led to global climate change, including the expansion of ice sheets and a significant drop in sea levels.
Livermore scientists suggest Southern Hemisphere ocean warming underestimated
A study using satellite observations and climate models found that long-term ocean warming in the upper 700 meters has likely been underestimated. The researchers used a large suite of climate model simulations to estimate temperature changes, which suggests global ocean warming has been underestimated by 24-58%.
NASA ocean data shows 'climate dance' of plankton
Phytoplankton are crucial for fish populations and Earth's carbon cycle, with a perpetual dance between predators and prey affecting their growth cycles. Tiny imbalances in this relationship cause massive phytoplankton blooms, impacting ocean productivity, fisheries, and carbon cycling.
Small algae with great potential
Scientists from GEOMAR and Thünen Institute demonstrated Emiliania huxleyi's ability to adapt simultaneously to ocean acidification and warming. The study found no interference between adaptations, indicating high potential for evolutionary changes.
SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 15, 2014
Microbes evolve faster than ocean can disperse them
A team of researchers used a neutral evolution model to simulate the distribution of marine bacteria cells. They found that microbes evolve faster than the ocean can disperse them, resulting in dynamic biogeographic patterns. This study sheds light on how ocean microbes may respond to global climate change.
Ocean acidification: NSF awards $11.4 million in new grants to study effects on marine ecosystems
The National Science Foundation has awarded new grants totaling $11.4 million to research the impact of ocean acidification on marine environments and organisms. Ocean acidification affects marine ecosystems, organisms' life histories, ocean food webs, and biogeochemical cycling.
Southern Ocean's role in climate regulation, ocean health is goal of $21 million project
The $21 million SOCCOM program will create a biogeochemical and physical portrait of the Southern Ocean using hundreds of robotic floats deployed around Antarctica. The project aims to improve our understanding of the ocean's carbon, nutrient, and oxygen content, and its importance to Earth's climate systems.
Princeton University launches NSF-funded initiative to study Southern Ocean's role in global systems
The $21-million SOCCOM program will provide unprecedented year-round coverage of biogeochemistry in the Southern Ocean, enabling top scientists to work together on research that was not possible before. The initiative aims to improve our understanding of the Southern Ocean's importance to the Earth's carbon and climate systems.
Scientists apply biomedical technique to reveal changes in body of the ocean
Researchers have adapted a biomedical technique to study ocean organisms, identifying and measuring proteins to understand biochemical reactions. The study reveals how microbes respond to environmental cues and ecosystem changes over large regions.
Scientists apply biomedical technique to reveal changes within the body of the ocean
Researchers have adapted a biomedical technique to study the ocean, revealing how single-celled marine organisms and ecosystems are operating. By measuring proteins, scientists can identify biochemical reactions happening within organisms and diagnose how the oceans respond to pollution and climate change.
York survey highlights ocean research priorities
A survey of scientists from 94 countries reveals the top research priorities for sustaining ocean health, including climate change's impact on plankton growth and ocean biodiversity. Social scientists highlight the need to better communicate science to policy-makers and the public as a key priority.
Ocean's most oxygen-deprived zones to shrink under climate change
Research suggests climate change could reduce the size of extreme low-oxygen waters in the ocean. As trade winds weaken, nutrient-rich water percolates up from the deep sea, supporting marine life and oxygen levels.
NOAA: Alaska fisheries and communities at risk from ocean acidification
Ocean acidification is driving changes in vital Alaskan waters, threatening commercial fisheries and subsistence way of life. Communities in southeast and southwest Alaska face the highest risk, with lower incomes and fewer employment opportunities making them more vulnerable.
Mixing it up: Study provides new insight into Southern Ocean behavior
A new study found that turbulent mixing in the deep waters of the Southern Ocean varies with surface eddy strength and possibly wind speeds, impacting global ocean circulation and climate. This insight will enable scientists to build better computer models predicting future climate change.
Understanding the ocean's role in Greenland glacier melt
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found rapid changes in ocean temperature near glaciers, driven by fast ocean currents. The data suggests large and rapid fluctuations in submarine melt rates, contradicting the prevailing paradigm of freshwater input driving new water into the fjord.
UK science trio called to Washington ocean summit
Environmental scientists Drs Carol Turley and Phil Williamson and Professor Richard Thompson will discuss ocean acidification and plastic pollution at the US Department of State conference. They emphasize the urgent need for a coordinated, global approach to address these pressing issues.
OCULLAR sees ocean color day and night
The OCULLAR instrument can measure ocean color under low-light conditions, allowing scientists to monitor the health and chemistry of the oceans around the clock. This capability will enable researchers to study phytoplankton, microscopic ocean plants that form the base of the oceanic food web.
UCSB researchers create first regional Ocean Health Index
The Ocean Health Index assesses ocean health across 10 categories, with Brazil scoring lowest in Natural Products and Food Provision. The index provides a framework for strategic management of ocean resources, with opportunities for improvement identified in various states.
Deep ocean current may slow due to climate change, Penn research finds
Researchers found that climate change is shrinking Antarctic Bottom Waters, a massive current that 'hides' heat and carbon from the atmosphere. This reduction in convection could lead to increased heat trapping in the deeper ocean, contributing to global warming.
New statistical models could lead to better predictions of ocean patterns
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed new statistical models to increase the accuracy of ocean forecasting. The models improved predictability of sea surface temperature extremes, wind fields, and plankton distribution, ultimately benefiting fisheries and ecosystems.
NRL models Deepwater Horizon oil spill
The Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Deepwater Horizon oil spill model accurately predicted shoreline oil impact, utilizing Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS). By combining satellite images with ocean circulation models, NRL developed BioCast to forecast water clarity and contaminant distribution.
Southern Ocean iron cycle gives new insight into climate change
An international team of researchers found that deep winter mixing plays a crucial role in transporting iron to the surface, supporting phytoplankton growth and the aquatic food chain. The study highlights the unique aspects of the iron cycle and its sensitivity to climate changes.
Ocean food web is key in the global carbon cycle
A novel mechanistic model assesses the global ocean carbon export by incorporating the lifecycle of phytoplankton and zooplankton into a food-web-based approach. The researchers found that oceans are a central component in the global carbon cycle, with a mean global carbon export flux of 6 petagrams per year.
Global warming felt to deepest reaches of ocean
A study by McGill University researchers shows that climate change has led to a decrease in ocean salinity, creating a freshwater lid that prevents mixing with warm waters underneath. This has resulted in the suppression of naturally rare events like the Antarctic polynya and contributed to the shrinking of Antarctic Bottom Water.
Unstable Atlantic deep ocean circulation under future climate conditions
A new study suggests that Atlantic deep water formation may be much more fragile than previously realised, with sudden and large reductions in the influence of these North Atlantic waters in the deep ocean. This could have widespread impacts on regional sea level, droughts, and ocean acidification under future climate change scenarios.
Scientists call for new stewardship of the deep ocean: Earth's last frontier
Growing industrialization threatens deep ocean ecosystems, which provide vital functions such as carbon sequestration. Experts urge a new 'stewardship mentality' to balance human needs with ecological impact, highlighting the need for international cooperation, regulation, and research funding to protect the world's last frontier.
Fish biomass in the ocean is 10 times higher than estimated
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that mesopelagic fish have a stock estimated at 10,000 million tons, surpassing previous estimates of 1,000 million tons. This discovery has significant implications for the understanding of carbon fluxes in the ocean and the operation of ocean deserts.
A look back and ahead at Greenland's changing climate
The Greenland Ice Sheet is experiencing rapid ice loss, driven by ocean warming and increased surface melting. This phenomenon can lead to fresh water input into the North Atlantic Ocean, potentially disrupting global climate circulation patterns.
Palau's coral reefs surprisingly resistant to ocean acidification
Marine scientists in Palau found corals living in acidic waters to be diverse and healthy, contradicting previous observations. The unique environment in Palau's Rock Islands is believed to provide a 'perfect storm' of conditions that allow corals to thrive.
North and Tropical Atlantic Ocean bringing climate change to Antarctica, NYU researchers find
A team of New York University scientists has found that the warming of the North and Tropical Atlantic Ocean is contributing to climate change in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, reveals a previously unknown force behind Antarctic climate change.
Key species of algae shows effects of climate change over time
A study reveals a shift in competitive dynamics among crustose coralline algae due to ocean acidification, altering biodiversity. The researchers found that the dominant species, Pseudolithophyllum muricatum, no longer enjoys its competitive advantage, likely due to lower pH levels recorded over the last 12 years.
Study explains origins of giant underwater waves
Giant underwater waves, invisible to the eye, are produced by temperature and salinity differences in ocean water. These internal waves, resembling surface waves in shape, play a key role in mixing ocean waters, driving warm surface waters downward and drawing heat from the atmosphere.
The fate of the eels
Researchers used a new ocean model to simulate the migration of eel larvae from the Sargasso Sea to Europe. The study found that small-scale ocean currents play a crucial role in determining eel population fluctuations and that eels return to specific locations within the Sargasso Sea where their mother spawned.
Coastal sea change
A new analysis published in Nature suggests that the coastal ocean now takes in more carbon dioxide than it releases, potentially impacting global predictions related to climate change. Researchers propose a mechanism for the shift, which could make the coastal ocean a more important carbon sink in the future.