Researchers discovered that a substantial proportion of metals are removed from seawater solution by solid manganese-oxide particles. Chemical reactions in sediment release metals back into solution, which then mix back up through the ocean. This process changes how we view ocean chemistry and its impact on climate.
The Global Declaration of Commitment for Scientific Ocean Drilling aims to promote global cooperation and collaboration in ocean science. The declaration sets out core principles for transparent access to data and samples, inclusive participation, environmental responsibility, and alignment with the UN SDGs.
Antje Boetius joins MBARI as president and CEO, expanding collaborations globally to advance marine science and engineering. She succeeds Chris Scholin, who will focus on further advances with the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) instrument.
The ECORD event will explore the importance of scientific ocean drilling in understanding Earth's systems and addressing environmental challenges. Key findings include the establishment of the new International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) and its potential impact on global scientific cooperation.
The global ocean has experienced a significant reduction in the depth of its photic zones, home to 90% of all marine life, leading to widespread ocean darkening. This change could have profound implications for the planet's marine species and ecosystem services.
A multidisciplinary team will utilize cutting-edge imaging technology and underwater robotics to discover and describe exotic marine species in the deep ocean. The project aims to transform how scientists understand the ocean's vast midwater region.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Ocean Literacy is open to graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and professionals interested in ocean science and sustainability. The school will bring together experts and participants for a transdisciplinary discussion on the UN Ocean Decade's Vision 2030 ambitions.
A new study reveals that the negative effects of the ozone hole on the Southern Ocean's carbon uptake are reversible, but only if greenhouse gas emissions rapidly decrease. The study found that as the ozone hole heals, its influence on the ocean's carbon sink diminishes, while the influence of greenhouse gas emissions rises.
A groundbreaking study estimates that only a minuscule fraction of the deep seafloor has been imaged, with less than 0.001% of the ocean floor having visual records. This limited exploration is largely due to high costs and geographical bias in ocean exploration efforts.
A new study has discovered that increasing ocean resolution is key to accurately simulating AMO variability, particularly at multidecadal timescales. High-resolution ocean experiments correctly showed the AMO lasting 40-80 years, while low-resolution ocean experiments showed unrealistic cycles every 10-20 years.
Researchers warn that thinner Arctic sea ice may lead to a tipping point in the AMOC, weakening global ocean circulation and impacting climate in Scandinavia. The Beaufort Gyre, an important feature of the Arctic Ocean, is currently losing large amounts of sea ice due to warmer temperatures.
Mesoscale eddies play a vital role in nutrient transport and the carbon cycle, trapping water masses and migrating into the open ocean. The study reveals that these eddies transport up to 10,000 tonnes of labile organic carbon each year.
A comprehensive global assessment of ocean current energy identifies high power density areas off the East coast of the U.S. and Eastern coast of Africa, suitable for generating electricity from ocean currents. The study highlights the importance of expanding data collection to refine understanding and unlock the full energy potential ...
Researchers find that melting Antarctic ice sheets are slowing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the world's strongest ocean current, by around 20% by 2050. This change in ocean properties and circulation patterns has implications for global climate indicators, including sea level rise and marine ecosystems.
A new study on Enceladus reveals its ocean forms distinct layers that slow material movement, potentially erasing biological signatures of life. This finding has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth.
A new study reveals that Amazonian mangrove forests release essential trace elements like neodymium into the ocean, supporting marine ecosystems and the carbon cycle. Mangroves act as biochemical reactors, releasing nutrients and metals into coastal waters.
Researchers have identified a critical link between tropical ocean temperatures and rainfall patterns in the Middle East, shedding light on the complexities of forecasting seasonal weather. The study found that positive phases of the El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole significantly increase rainfall, while negative ph...
NRL oceanographers received a Group Achievement Award from NASA for their collaboration with S-MODE, providing real-time ocean model forecasts and glider guidance. The project successfully observed and forecasted ocean features that are too small to see from space, allowing scientists to better understand the global earth system.
A new study finds that ocean warming in 2024 has led to record-breaking temperatures across the globe, including a 16 zettajoule increase in upper 2000m ocean heat content. This rise in temperature affects weather patterns and marine life, with significant implications for climate change.
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking method to align satellite ocean color data across various satellites, enabling the generation of reliable, global-scale, long-term bio-optical properties of the upper ocean. This 'big data' will aid in assessing marine ecosystem status and climate-related dynamics.
Ocean scientists will deploy sensors onboard high-tech floats to study tiny turbulent movements that pull water, heat, and chemicals from the surface down into the deep. This ventilation helps regulate the Earth's climate and buffer against human-induced climate change.
Researchers at University of Liverpool develop new method to measure ocean memory, revealing the North Atlantic Ocean has a nearly two-decade memory. This surpasses previous estimates and highlights the importance of ocean circulation in climate system predictability.
Marine plankton's ability to absorb CO2 is influenced by ocean density, with denser waters leading to reduced calcification and increased alkalinity. This discovery reframes our understanding of the complex interplay between marine life and the global climate system.
Research reveals deep-sea viruses play a crucial role in facilitating energy cycling and mediating gene evolution in marine ecosystems. They can promote the release of carbon or nutrients into the ocean through infection, increasing survivability of hosts via horizontal gene transfer and lysogenic infection.
Climate-induced changes in the Ocean impact how we live alongside it, with development and management plans struggling to keep up. Experts call for better understanding of links between the Ocean and climate to ensure adaptive management plans for housing, food, fresh water, and nature.
A recent study provides fresh insights into the ocean's role in climate during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, a period of change that began about one million years ago. The research suggests that changes in the deep ocean played an equally important but nuanced role in driving climate cycles.
A new publication by European ocean scientists highlights the impact of sea-level rise on coastal freshwater systems and their interconnectedness with the Ocean. The study emphasizes the need for sustainable management of both components of the global water cycle to ensure resilience.
Scientists have confirmed that temperature differences at the ocean surface aid in carbon absorption, with the ocean absorbing about 7% more CO₂ each year than previously thought. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding these subtle mechanisms for refining climate models and predictions.
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) have been found to occur independently of surface events, with 80% of MHWs below 100 metres being unconnected. The study used observational data from over two million ocean temperature profiles and highlighted the influence of ocean currents, particularly eddies, on subsurface events.
A recent study discovered microscopic mucus tails on marine snow particles, which significantly alter estimates of carbon sequestration in the deep sea. These 'tails' slow particle descent into the upper ocean layers, doubling their residence time and impacting carbon transfer and storage.
Researchers discovered high levels of siderophores in the ocean's twilight zone, where iron is deficient, affecting the biological carbon pump and nutrient cycles. This study contributes to understanding climate change impacts on the ocean's ability to absorb carbon.
A new set of 11 golden rules aims to minimize ocean destruction and preserve fish populations. The rules prioritize minimizing impacts on marine species, habitats, and human communities, while supporting sustainable fishing practices.
A recent study published in Science Advances found that the ocean's heat storage efficiency during the last deglaciation was substantially enhanced to ≥1 by strong warming in intermediate-depth waters. This significant increase resolves a long-standing paradox in the conventional view of climate system dynamics.
A new definition of marine identity has been agreed upon by an international group of researchers, which could help restore society's relationship with the ocean. The concept emphasizes how the ocean supports our sense of self and is rooted in traditions, customs, and dependency on the sea for recreation and livelihoods.
A new study reveals a deep-sea isopod that consumes Sargassum algae sinking from the ocean's surface, showing how closely connected the surface and deep oceans are. The isopod uses specialized adaptations to feed on this sunken source of nutrients.
The ocean's twilight zone plays a crucial role in regulating marine phytoplankton productivity, which is essential for the marine food chain. Researchers have found that warming temperatures can strengthen the recycling of nutrients between the ocean layers, with significant implications for climate change projections.
A recent study has found that tropical ocean waters exhibit significant variability in temperature over time and space, contradicting the long-held 'climate variability hypothesis'. This unexpected finding may help explain why some fish species can tolerate a wider range of temperatures than others.
Researchers have found that the Southern Ocean absorbs 25% more carbon dioxide than previously estimated. The new study used direct measurements to assess existing flux products in the Southern Ocean.
A team of scientists, including a UC Irvine researcher, discovered that bumpy ocean floor features contribute to upwelling rates 10,000 times higher than the global average. This finding provides direct evidence for earlier theoretical predictions about ocean circulation and mass balance.
Weaker ocean circulation may lead to increased carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere due to a previously uncharacterized feedback loop involving iron, upwelling nutrients, and ligands. The study challenges current thinking on the ocean's role in storing carbon.
Researchers at University of Cambridge discovered that underwater turbulence around seamounts significantly influences ocean mixing, contributing to a third of global ocean mixing. This finding has implications for climate models used in policymaking, potentially improving forecasts of the ocean's response to global warming.
Five global projects will advance understanding of ocean systems in a changing climate through improved data and modeling. The Ocean Biogeochemistry Virtual Institute will refine ocean carbon cycling and ecosystem resilience research.
Researchers at the University of Bonn improved 3D ocean circulation models using supercomputing resources to analyze ocean tide changes and their impact on coastal regions. The study found that a warming ocean surface enhances baroclinic tides, leading to significant energy transfer.
Researchers employed an advanced ocean data assimilation scheme to predict subsurface temperature anomalies, improving forecasting for marine heatwaves like the Blob. The new approach leveraged a broader range of oceanic observations, enhancing accuracy in the lower ocean layer.
The study analyzed the 100 biggest marine protected areas, finding that slow implementation of management strategies and lack of restriction on human activities hinder their effectiveness. The authors highlight the need for improved quality of marine protected areas to achieve the goal of protecting at least 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Researchers found that weaker ocean currents during the Younger Dryas period led to a decline in nutrient availability, resulting in decreased biological productivity in the North Atlantic. This study supports predictions about the impact of climate change on ocean circulation and life.
Research reveals that tiny plant-like organisms are transported to deeper depths by ocean currents, affecting carbon cycling and microbial dynamics. This process challenges conventional understanding of carbon transport in the ocean.
FathomVerse combines real underwater images, interactive gameplay, and AI training to improve ocean research. The game engages players in labeling images for machine learning models, contributing to a broader audience in ocean exploration.
A new study reveals that meandering ocean currents and the ocean floor induce upwelling velocity, transporting warm water to shallower depths, contributing to rapid melting of Antarctic ice shelves. This process poses a significant threat to coastal communities worldwide due to rising global sea levels.
A new study by CSIRO Australia and University of Toronto estimates that between 3-11 million metric tonnes of plastic pollution are sinking to the ocean floor. The research suggests that the ocean floor has become a reservoir for most plastic pollution, with plastic clusters around continents.
Researchers from Kyushu University found that ocean-atmosphere coupling enhances teleconnection patterns, leading to more meandering jet streams and extreme weather events. The study highlights the significance of extratropical ocean-atmosphere interactions in climate variability.
Researchers developed a new type of ocean model that can simulate the transport, storage, and turnover of carbon in the global coastal ocean. The model shows that intense plankton growth is key to enhanced CO2 uptake in coastal oceans, which could strengthen with ongoing CO2 emissions.
Hilary Palevsky's research focuses on marine biogeochemistry, and her NSF CAREER Award will support the creation of educational videos to guide students using remote ocean monitoring data. She aims to clarify the mechanisms behind the ocean's biological pump, which plays a crucial role in removing anthropogenic carbon from active cycling.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark found that the Arctic Ocean's declining sea ice cover has complex effects on marine ecosystems and ocean productivity. Despite increased sunlight availability, primary production on the seafloor has not seen a corresponding increase, suggesting water transparency may b...
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has announced the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2024, featuring panel discussions on climate interventions and ocean-based carbon dioxide removal. Researchers will also explore using shipwrecks to study changing coastlines and oceans.
During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), ocean oxygen levels in tropical waters rose, preserving habitability despite temperature stress. This increase helped mitigate mass extinctions in surface ocean ecosystems.
A global ocean of liquid water has been found beneath Mimas' icy shell, with an estimated age of 5-15 million years, suggesting recent ocean formation and potential for life to emerge. This discovery adds Mimas to the list of moons with internal oceans, including Enceladus and Europa.
New research examines the causes of record-breaking ocean temperatures in 2023 and highlights the need to understand driving forces behind ocean warming. The study suggests that Earth's energy imbalance is a key driver of extreme ocean temperatures, with the Atlantic Ocean warming faster than other ocean basins.
Scientists have found that deposits deep under the ocean floor reveal a way to measure ocean oxygen levels and their connections with carbon dioxide during the last ice age. This study could improve predictions of how oceans will respond to global warming.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School and NOAA finds that South Florida's inshore reefs are less vulnerable to ocean acidification than previously thought. The research highlights the importance of preserving seagrass meadows to mitigate climate-related threats to coral reefs.