A new study found that marine heatwaves impact the base of ocean food webs, changing carbon cycling in the process. However, the effects of the two heatwaves were not consistent, with one causing a 'conveyor belt' to jam and increasing the risk of carbon returning to the atmosphere.
A new study highlights the Southern Ocean as a decisive factor in cooler warm periods, with stronger stratification leading to more carbon storage in the deep ocean. This led to less atmospheric CO2, a weaker greenhouse effect, and possibly a larger Antarctic ice sheet.
A study has found that high-latitude phytoplankton communities responded to a pre-PETM warming event, highlighting the importance of examining background intervals in determining ecosystem change. The results suggest even small environmental changes can have dramatic impacts on marine ecosystems.
Researchers found that corals can regulate their calcifying fluid chemistry to maintain growth of their skeletons despite increasing ocean acidity. The study suggests an unexpected and hopeful signal, but more long-term data is needed to understand the implications.
The 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from February 22-27, 2025. The event will bring together 6,000 scientists, students, and educators to discuss breaking research on the ocean sciences and critical issues affecting a sustainable future for our oceans.
A new study reveals that corporations disclose little about their ocean-specific impacts, especially on biodiversity and ecosystems. The research highlights crucial gaps in current reporting frameworks and provides an important baseline for future comparisons.
A new study reveals that North Pacific waters are acidifying more rapidly below the surface than previously thought. Researchers analyzed a 35-year record of ocean carbon measurements and found increases in carbon from natural decomposition, with accelerated acidification associated with fresher and colder waters.
A NUS-led study analyzed coral samples from the Maldives, extending the sea-level record by 60 years and revealing an acceleration of rising sea levels since 1959. The findings show that the Indian Ocean has been highly responsive to climatic changes, with significant sea level rise of 30cm since the mid-20th century.
Researchers have identified diatoms as the dominant microorganisms in a previously mysterious area of the Southern Ocean. The study's findings suggest that diatoms are responsible for the high levels of reflectance observed in satellite images, providing new insights into carbon cycling and ocean biology.
A new dataset has been developed to study climate change in the Arctic Ocean. The dataset spans from 1900 to 2100 with high resolution, offering a more accurate understanding of the region's changing climate. It significantly reduces simulation errors and improves representation of key variables.
A new study reveals that a decline in ocean oxygen levels is disrupting mesopelagic fish populations and ecosystems. The findings suggest that these events could destabilize ecological balances, impair the ocean's role in carbon cycling, and threaten marine biodiversity and food security.
A new study reveals that global ocean analysis products can achieve centimeter-level accuracy in seafloor positioning, comparable to traditional methods. This innovation could significantly reduce costs and logistical challenges in marine geodetic surveys.
A new study reveals that global ocean analysis products can replace expensive in-situ sound speed measurements for precise seafloor positioning. Global ocean analysis achieves centimeter-level accuracy, comparable to traditional methods, and reduces costs and logistical challenges in marine geodetic surveys.
Weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) impacts both the ocean and atmosphere, contributing equally to the cold anomaly. A cooler ocean surface reduces evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere, amplifying the pre-existing cold anomaly.
A groundbreaking study reveals that small zooplankton like copepods and krill enhance carbon sequestration through seasonal migrations. These tiny creatures store around 65 million tonnes of carbon annually in the deep ocean.
Marine food webs could be impacted as ocean 'greening' shifts phytoplankton biomass. Phytoplankton act like sponges absorbing CO2 during photosynthesis, influencing climate warming.
Longer winter sea ice duration is associated with a 20% increase in atmospheric CO2 absorption by the Southern Ocean. Sea ice protects the ocean from strong winds, allowing it to absorb more CO2 during winter.
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 studied dipole eddies in the South China Sea, revealing unique sound-speed structures and acoustic propagation patterns. The team found that warm-core AEs decrease temperature, salinity, and sound speed, while cold-core CEs increase these factors.
The deep sea accounts for 90% of ocean volume and hosts diverse ecosystems. However, human activities like mining and climate change threaten these areas. Scientists emphasize the need for major investment in deep-sea research to address knowledge gaps and inform sustainable management strategies.
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.
UC Irvine scientists confirm climate change's impact on marine nutrient cycles, revealing a decline in phosphorus levels in southern hemisphere oceans. The research also shows that nitrate concentrations remain steady, but may still decline in the future as the climate continues to change.
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.
A research team at Peking University reconstructed ocean acidification during the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a major carbon release event 56 million years ago. The study's findings stress the urgency of addressing human-driven CO2 emissions to protect marine ecosystems, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Arctic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at UAF developed a way to equip Seagliders with sensors that monitor carbon dioxide and methane levels in the ocean. This technology provides high spatial and temporal resolution data for weeks at a time, giving scientists a clear picture of ocean chemistry.
This study reveals that the tropical Indian Ocean is the primary driver of Hadley Circulation's future weakening and poleward shifts, while the tropical Pacific Ocean is the main source of uncertainty. The results highlight the critical role of regional ocean warming in shaping atmospheric circulation changes.
Researchers found ocean temperatures were 0.26 degrees Celsius colder than land-based records during the early 20th century. This discrepancy suggests a need for improved data processing and analysis to better understand historical climate variability and future climate models.
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.
Climate change is releasing more contaminants into the ocean, affecting marine ecosystems. Human activities and natural sources are mobilizing and increasing contaminant flows due to rising sea levels and melting glaciers.
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.