A team of scientists has discovered that convection may also be occurring in the Irminger Sea east of Greenland, potentially forming deep waters. This finding places additional complexity on the climate system and suggests far-reaching implications for Labrador Sea Water formation.
A new UC Davis analysis reveals that adult sea otters in California are dying at an alarming rate due to diseases and parasites. The study found that nearly two-thirds of the otters died from disease, with parasitic infections being a major cause, including thorny-headed worms and protozoa.
Sea Grant's media relations office is closing its National Press Building Office and suspending operations due to restructuring. Meanwhile, NOAA's Public Affairs Officer, Ben Sherman, is assuming the role of Public Affairs Officer for NOAA's National Ocean Service.
Marine geologist Peter Rona describes a metal-rich mound, two-and-a-half miles under the Atlantic Ocean, composed of copper, iron, zinc, gold, and silver. The ocean's crust is cracked into plates that allow heat and materials to escape, creating habitats and energy for microbes that can be used in various applications.
A study found that California's marine reserves cannot protect the state's low red abalone population from being overhunted by sea otters. The researchers suggest that single-use reserves focus on either ecosystem restoration or fishery development instead.
Otter populations are declining due to parasite infections, with 60% of dead otters infected. The parasite is spread through storm drains and creeks, affecting water quality. Invasive fish like ruffe and gobies also pressure yellow perch in Lake Michigan, depleting resources for sport fishing.
The study found that Arctic temperatures are increasing at a rate of 1.2 degrees Celsius per decade, leading to the decline of perennial sea ice. If the perennial ice cover disappears, it could profoundly impact summer shipping lanes, plankton blooms, ocean circulation systems, and global climate.
A NASA study has linked the transport of sea ice through Fram Strait to the position and phase of the longest sea level pressure wave circling the Earth at polar latitudes. The study found that variations in this wave, called 'wave 1', explain up to 70% of Arctic ice export through the strait.
Despite expected global warming impacts, a NASA study reveals an increase in Antarctic sea ice coverage, with the area lengthening by at least one day per year spanning around 5.6 million square kilometers.
Dr. Edie Widder's new deep-sea camera system, 'Eye in the Sea', will be deployed in Monterey Canyon off California to capture bioluminescent flashes and take digital images. The system uses stealth technology to avoid scaring away deep-sea creatures.
Researchers are developing a forecasting technique to predict sea nettle concentrations in Chesapeake Bay using real-time monitoring of environmental factors. The goal is to mitigate the economic impact of sea nettles, which affect tourism and the food web by devouring fish eggs and larvae.
A recent UC study found that 42% of live sea otters and 62% of dead sea otters were infected with Toxoplasma. The researchers suggest that land-based freshwater runoff is a source of the parasite, likely transported by surface runoff from fields and yards to coastal areas.
The study aims to optimize planned control of the parasitic fish that have had a devastating impact on native fish populations in Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes. Anglers will be asked to collect marked sea lampreys from their catches, providing valuable data for researchers.
A team of scientists led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Professor Jun Abrajano refutes the Noah's Flood Hypothesis by presenting sediment evidence of sustained interaction between the Mediterranean and Black Seas. This contradicts the theory that a massive flood destroyed freshwater mollusks in the Black Sea.
A study by Kevin Lafferty and Leah Gerber found that non-otter diseases, such as parasitic worms and toxoplasmosis, are contributing to the decline of California sea otter populations. Improving waste disposal and reducing human exposure to these diseases may help protect the otters.
A California-funded Sea Grant survey banned the sale of Caulerpa taxifolia, a fast-growing tropical seaweed, due to its invasive nature. Meanwhile, researchers used DNA technology to identify E. coli sources, tracing human and animal fecal pollution in Lake Michigan.
Scientists discover ozone reduces common spoilage bacteria in seafood processing facilities, extending shelf life. Researchers also study hurricane-resistant retrofits on damaged houses to reduce storm damage.
Researchers have discovered a new method to isolate and understand the chemicals released by male sea lampreys to lure females. The study reveals that males release pheromones, not females, to initiate mating, offering potential new strategies for controlling sea lamprey populations.
Researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution successfully cultured sea fans on a large scale for the first time, marking a significant milestone in coral reef conservation. The project's results could reduce the recovery process by five to 10 years and pave the way for sustainable re-seeding of damaged reefs.
A revised estimate of glacier ice loss suggests a 20% contribution to observed sea level rise, with some glaciers smaller than they have been in thousands of years. Glacier melting could contribute up to 0.65 feet to sea level this century, surpassing the IPCC's estimated 0.16-0.36 feet.
A study by researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute exposes the potential biological impacts of deep-sea carbon sequestration on marine ecosystems. Decreased pH can lead to metabolic suppression, inhibiting growth and reproduction in sensitive organisms.
Researchers at ONR and DARPA are developing OSCAR, an oceanic fuel cell that harnesses organic matter in sea sediments to generate electricity. The early versions of OSCAR have been generating about 50 milliwatts per square meter, sufficient power for small calculators.
Researchers are using $1.7 million in grants to implant radio transmitters on sea lions to determine the causes of their rapid decline, with data stored on a satellite that can be retrieved after the animal has died. The project aims to find out why Steller sea Lions are dying at a rate of 75% in some areas.
A new study revises previous estimates of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet's contribution to global sea-level rise, suggesting it may be a slower source. The ice sheet was previously estimated to add 1 millimeter per year to sea level, but new data indicates this may be an overestimation.
The National Sea Grant College Program has released a 70-page guide to salmon issues in the Pacific Northwest, providing basic resources for news media covering the salmon management debate. The guide lists Sea Grant-funded researchers, contact information for agencies and organizations, and web-based resources.
Researchers found that airborne sea salt particles undergo a chemical reaction in daylight to release chlorine molecules, which can influence ozone levels. This discovery suggests that sea salt particles may play a significant role in determining the levels of certain greenhouse gases and air pollutants in coastal urban areas.
University of Delaware scientists, including Craig Cary, embark on the first deep-sea dive of the new century to explore extreme organisms and understand life's origins. They will collect samples of toxic chemicals, organisms, rocks, and minerals using special instruments like deep-sea sensors.
Scientists have found that sea surface temperatures in Atlantic, Pacific, and Western Pacific oceans significantly impact rainfall patterns in the Amazon. Sea surface temperatures play a crucial role in predicting drought or floods in the region.
The study found elevated levels of DDE and mercury in bald eagle eggs on Kiska Island, but not on other islands. Seabirds are thought to be the major source of contamination due to their diet rich in fish from contaminated water.
Jim Estes, a marine biologist with the USGS Western Ecological Research Center, will pursue research on restoring the Bering Sea and North Pacific ecosystem. He aims to provide information on how human effects manifest in the oceans, leading to drastic ecosystem changes.
The California sea otter population has declined by 1.14% since the 1998 spring survey, with a disconcerting decline in independent adults, indicating a need for further investigation into the cause of this trend. The USGS is working to gather more information on disease, contaminants, starvation, and entanglement as contributing factors.
A new study shows that International Maritime Organisation (IMO) rules are being applied globally, even by countries not bound to them. This shift indicates the IMO has taken on a universal law-making role, overseeing safety at sea and pollution prevention.
A University of Florida researcher has found genetic differences in sea oats on the Gulf Coast, which could lead to the development of a "super" sea oat that can stabilize dunes during storms. The goal is to select and propagate sea oats with desirable traits such as quick root growth and extensive rhizome systems.
Researchers attribute sharp declines in sea otter numbers to killer whale predation, linked to changes in oceanic and nearshore ecosystems. The study highlights the impact of ecological chain reactions on coastal food webs and species populations.
Killer whales have begun preying on sea otters in western Alaska, leading to a decline in sea otter populations and an increase in sea urchin numbers. This chain of events is linked to the collapse of seals and sea lions, which are the killer whales' usual prey.
A new volume of research explores the physical processes and interactions of Antarctic sea ice, shedding light on its differences from Arctic sea ice. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding this complex environment, which is sensitive to climate change.
The new volume of the American Geophysical Union's Antarctic Research Series delves into the complex ecosystems found in Antarctic sea ice. Researchers explore various habitats, including algal biomass, nitrogen metabolism, and numerical ecosystem modeling studies, providing insights into the biodiversity of this unique environment.
Numerical simulations by U of T physicists suggest sea-level changes exceeding 100 meters can occur, contradicting previous assumptions linking them to ocean floor elevation changes. The 'wobbling' of the Earth's rotation axis produces regional sea-level variations, requiring a reevaluation of long-term climate studies.
The Pennsylvania Sea Grant will focus on extension, education, and communications, monitoring the ecology of Lake Erie's coast and Presque Isle peninsula. Studies will address non-point source pollution, invasive species, and environmentally friendly manufacturing development.
Researchers are studying the effects of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill on Alaskan sea otter populations. Initial results indicate higher levels of an enzyme in otters living near the spill area, suggesting continued exposure to low levels of oil or other contaminants.