Researchers from Caltech have discovered a mechanism that explains how tiny swimming animals can affect the ocean environment, creating instability and mixing large scales. The impact of biogenic ocean mixing is estimated to be comparable to wind forcing and tidal forcing.
Research suggests that major changes in ocean current systems can occur gradually, rather than suddenly, and may take place over centuries or even millennia. The study's findings confirm the accuracy of global climate models and provide valuable insights into how the Earth may respond to its current warming.
Scientists have created a high-resolution climate record from ocean sediment dating back over 500,000 years, revealing four glacial cycles and the warming of North Atlantic waters. The record provides valuable insights into the extent of ancient ice sheets and their impact on ocean currents.
The Nereus hybrid remotely operated vehicle successfully reached the deepest part of the ocean, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. The dive demonstrates the vehicle's capabilities for exploring the world's last frontiers and gathering images, data, and samples from extreme depths.
Researchers have analyzed ocean plant health using a NASA satellite, detecting red light emitted by phytoplankton and assessing their productivity. The findings provide insights into the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems and can help track long-term trends.
Researchers have successfully measured marine phytoplankton physiology through satellite measurements of fluorescence, providing a reasonably accurate picture of the ocean's health and productivity. This will help evaluate the impact of global warming, climate change, and desertification on oceans.
Climate change, fishing, and commercial shipping are major threats to the ocean off the US West Coast, with every spot affected by 10-15 human activities annually. A new study provides critical information for evaluating where certain activities can continue with little effect on the oceans.
Researchers measured carbon particles from plankton blooms in the Southern Ocean, finding most don't reach the deep ocean. Plankton blooms stimulate carbon capture, but carbon tied up in plankton doesn't sink far or fast.
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.
The Australian ocean glider, launched in February, successfully completed a two-month, 1,500 kilometre voyage to measure changes in the East Australian and Leeuwin Currents. The glider's sensors measured temperature, salinity, oxygen, and turbidity, providing valuable insights into Australia's $94 million marine observing network.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School has received two grants totaling $101,000 from the Ocean Fund to support scientific research on cruise ships and graduate student scholarships. The funding will enable researchers to study climate change, coral reefs, and ocean health.
Researchers at Cardiff University found evidence of a global ocean circulation 'seesaw' that linked abrupt temperature changes in the North Atlantic to rapid cooling in the Southern Ocean, with implications for our understanding of climate change's effects on a global scale.
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.
The US research vessel JOIDES Resolution has been completely refurbished for IODP expeditions, enhancing its capability for cutting-edge research into Earth's past climate and biosphere. The ship will help improve scientific understanding of natural hazards, methane hydrates, and future sea levels.
Unchecked global warming would lead to a dramatic expansion of low-oxygen areas in the ocean, affecting fisheries and ecosystems for thousands of years. The team's projections show that these oxygen minimum zones could expand much more still and invade the deep ocean.
Researchers propose that Jupiter's gravitational pull creates powerful waves in Europa's ocean, generating significant heat energy. This could be a dominant heat source, potentially supporting life without sunlight.
Researchers have discovered that climate change affects the ocean's chemical makeup, altering calcium levels and potentially impacting marine life. The study found that the ocean's chemistry can change rapidly in response to climate changes, highlighting the need for further research on the impacts of ocean acidification.
New study reveals that despite increased wind speeds, Southern Ocean currents and upwelling patterns remain unchanged, contradicting previous concerns about the ocean's capacity to combat climate change. The research suggests that small-scale ocean eddies balance stronger winds, preventing a significant impact on carbon dioxide storage.
A new study reveals ocean acidification is occurring at a rate 10 times faster than previously predicted, posing severe threats to marine food webs and species diversity. The increasing acidity of the ocean harms certain sea animals and could reduce its ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
A new microbe, discovered in the open ocean, lacks genes needed for photosynthesis, yet provides natural fertilizer to the oceans by fixing nitrogen. Its unique metabolism may have implications for understanding carbon and nitrogen cycles in ocean ecosystems.
Researchers reconstructed Arctic climate patterns over 65 million years, revealing a link between Arctic cooling and global cooling. Changes in ocean circulation could lead to abrupt changes in climate, similar to those that occurred at the onset of the last ice age.
A team of researchers attributes the sudden thinning of Jakobshavn Isbræ, one of Greenland's largest glaciers, to subsurface ocean warming and atmospheric changes. The study suggests that ocean temperatures may play a more significant role in glacier flow than previously thought.
A team of earth scientists found ocean floor geysers in the Pacific Ocean that warm flowing sea water. This discovery suggests possible marine life in a previously barren area.
Researchers use wave energy to pump cold, nutrient-rich water from deep ocean to surface waters near Hawaii, aiming to control plankton growth. They believe this can help mitigate global greenhouse buildup by understanding large-scale interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
Scientists have developed a novel method to study the Southern Ocean using elephant seals equipped with oceanographic sensors, providing a 30-fold increase in data recorded under sea ice. This technology complements traditional sampling methods, allowing for better understanding of climate change and its effects on global oceans.
A new study identifies a link between warming Indian Ocean and declining rainfall in eastern Africa, impacting food security. The team found that human-caused warming of the Indian Ocean leads to increased rainfall over the ocean, reducing onshore moisture flow and resulting in dry air over Africa.
Researchers found that Saharan dust storms provide essential iron minerals, enabling plants to thrive in nutrient-poor regions. This discovery sheds light on how the Atlantic Ocean supports plant growth despite being referred to as an 'ocean desert',
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that internal waves can generate intense currents when traveling along continental slopes, lifting sediments and contributing to ocean mixing. These currents, called boundary flows, also play a role in larger ocean currents by bringing cold water up from the deep ocean.
New Australian research found ocean warming rates are 50% faster than previously reported, providing greater credibility to climate models. The study also improves estimates of sea-level rise and its contributions from glaciers, ice caps, and thermal expansion in the deep ocean.
A new study published in Nature finds that ocean temperatures and sea level increases between 1961 and 2003 were 50% larger than previously thought. The results show sea levels rose by 1.5 millimeters per year, equating to a 2-inch increase in ocean levels over 42 years.
The University of Delaware has received $400,000 from NOAA to continue development of an ocean observing system for the Mid-Atlantic region. This funding is part of the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), which aims to coordinate ocean data collection and delivery for various applications such as storm forecasting and em...
Marine ecosystems face significant threats from climate change, including warming temperatures, nutrient supply disruptions, and ocean acidification. The paper calls for increased research funding to better assess these impacts and develop adaptation options.
Researchers have discovered high levels of acidified ocean water off the West Coast of North America, with corrosive levels detected within 20 miles of the shoreline. The acidic water is likely 50 years old and may increase in future due to rising atmospheric CO2 levels.
Research on ocean acidification reveals that the oceans have become 30% more acidic since the industrial revolution, with predicted pH levels dropping by 0.4 units by the end of the century. This could lead to devastating effects on marine life and ecosystems, including coral reefs and fisheries.
A study published in Science reveals that anthropogenic nitrogen has a significant impact on ocean biology, photosynthesis, and the global carbon cycle. The research highlights how increased nitrogen deposition from human activities affects the oceans' ability to absorb CO2.
A team of scientists found that human-caused nitrogen compounds entering the ocean may remove up to 10% of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, this gain is offset by the release of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas.
A new 300km diameter giant ocean eddy has emerged off the NSW coast, with scientists tracing its birth to last August. The cold water at the new eddy's centre has welled up about 500m from the ocean depths, providing valuable insights into ocean forecasting systems.
Scientists will embark on a six-week research expedition to measure turbulence, waves, and bubbles in the Southern Ocean to improve the accuracy of climate models. The goal is to understand how gases important to climate change move between the atmosphere and ocean under high winds and seas.
Noted UNH oceans expert Andrew A. Rosenberg will address the issue of how to protect and manage ocean resources at this year's American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting. He emphasizes the need to learn from past mistakes and adopt new approaches such as ecosystem-based management.
A recent study reveals that dissolved organic carbon in Alaskan arctic rivers is remarkably labile during the spring flood period, challenging the prevailing paradigm. This finding suggests that riverine inputs of DOC may have a larger influence on coastal ocean biogeochemistry than previously realized.
Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara study ocean floor seeps and find that only 1% of dissolved methane escapes into the air, with most transported below surface where it's oxidized by microbial activity. This discovery offers a potential solution to mitigating climate change.
New research brings scientists closer to exploring Jupiter's moon Europa, discovering potential for life in its ice-covered ocean. Refined methods and data analysis reveal a habitable environment, with improved measurements potentially detecting compounds indicative of life.
Scientists have discovered giant mud waves in the Arctic Ocean, measuring nearly 100 feet across, defying previous expectations of calm ocean currents. The expedition aims to understand how water is exchanged between basins and how the Arctic affects global climate systems.
Scientists reveal that the closure of the Rheic Ocean created the supercontinent of Pangaea and the Appalachian Mountains, marking a significant event in Earth's history. The discovery provides new insights into the formation of these geological features and their impact on climate change.
Sulfur and nitrogen emissions from power plants and agricultural activities significantly impact coastal ocean chemistry, reducing its ability to store carbon and harming marine life. The study found that these emissions can alter water chemistry by 10-50% more than acidification caused by carbon dioxide.
A call has been made for a Southern Hemisphere network of deep ocean moorings to monitor changes in the Southern Ocean circulation, which could influence global climate. The North Atlantic moored network provides measurements of the Gulf Stream, a significant feature in moderating European and North American climate.
Researchers confirm the existence of a 'supergyre' connecting the three Southern Hemisphere ocean basins, which plays a crucial role in governing global climate. The Tasman Outflow, occurring at an average depth of 800-1,000m, may influence the response of the thermohaline circulation to climate change.
BLUElink provides broad-scale information on ocean currents, temperature, and salinity for the first time, improving forecasting capabilities. The system relies on access to accurate oceanic observations, including satellite data and robotic profilers.
A multidisciplinary research team, including experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, will conduct the first search for life on the seafloor of the world's most isolated ocean. The team uses three new autonomous underwater vehicles to sniff out chemical and temperature signals of hot fluids venting out of the ocean floor.
The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program's Arctic Coring Expedition reveals the Arctic Ocean changed from a 'lake stage' to a fully oxygenated ocean at 17.5 million years ago due to the Fram Strait's evolution into a wider passageway, allowing saline North Atlantic water in.
Scientists have identified a climate change signal in the Indian Ocean near Australia, with ocean temperatures rising by two degrees Celsius. The research linked this warming to changes in atmospheric conditions and human activity, including aerosol production and greenhouse gases.
The Southern Ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide has weakened substantially over the past 25 years, with a 15% decrease per decade since 1981. Human activities are the primary cause of this weakening, which will lead to higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels in the long-term.
A four-year study reveals that climate change has weakened one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, the Southern Ocean, leading to a release of stored CO2 and preventing further absorption. This 'feedback' will continue and intensify during this century, making stabilisation of atmospheric CO2 more difficult.
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Washington (UW) have been awarded multimillion-dollar contracts to support the development and operations of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). The OOI will establish a network of interactive, globally distributed sensors in the ocean, providing real-time data ...
A recent study published in Nature reveals the discovery of over 700 new species in the Antarctic deep sea, including carnivorous sponges and crustaceans. The research suggests that the glacial cycle led to an intermingling of species from shallow and deep water habitats, redefining our understanding of ocean evolution.
A new study reveals two ancient CO2 pulses from the southern ocean around Antarctica, shedding light on Earth's CO2 cycles and their implications for climate change. The research tracked CO2 from the deep ocean to the upper ocean and atmosphere, providing insights into natural CO2 cycles and human-caused climate change.
Researchers have found a 'short-circuit' in the Southern Ocean's circulation, which could aid predictions of future climate change. This process allows cold waters to return to the surface more rapidly than previously thought, affecting global heat and carbon distribution.
Two studies suggest that the melting of the Greenland ice cap could significantly affect ocean circulation, leading to substantial changes in global climate. The authors analyze sediment records from past glacial periods, finding that sudden episodes of ice sheet melting may cause abrupt climate instability.
A recent study found that carbon dioxide consumed by animals and bacteria in the twilight zone is often recycled back into the atmosphere, rather than being stored in the deep ocean. This discovery adds complexity to proposals for mitigating climate change through ocean fertilization.
A new study published in Science sheds light on the dim layer of the ocean known as the twilight zone, which affects the ocean's ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide. The research found that only a small percentage of carbon transported to the depths is stored, with most being recycled in the twilight zone.