Researchers have made highly accurate calculations of global sea level rise in the early Holocene using a unique dataset from the North Sea region. The findings show that rates of sea level rise peaked at over 1 metre per century during two phases, with a total rise of around 38 metres over 11,000 years.
Researchers have discovered a common gene linked to human kidney disease is also present in sea anemones, allowing their hair cells to detect water movement. This finding suggests an evolutionarily ancient role for the gene in sensing fluid movement, predating the common ancestor of mammals and sea anemones.
A new study reveals that Arctic sea ice loss drives drier weather over California, especially in winter, and wetter conditions over Spain and Portugal. The research isolates the effect of Arctic sea ice melting from other climate change factors.
New research reveals that human disturbances near southern sea otters can increase their energetic costs, potentially affecting their health and survival. The likelihood of disturbance decreases with distance from the otters, but even small craft within 29 meters can have a significant impact.
Researchers have found unique fish species in deep-sea oxygen-depleted zones of a Red Sea coral reef system. Lanternfish and other species thrive in conditions where oxygen levels are less than 2 μmol kg’¹
New CU Boulder research reveals sea otters play a vital role in kelp forest recovery, with their influence varying by region. The study found that sea otters in Southern California had a slower impact on kelp forests due to complex web interactions with other species.
The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) has made a comprehensive dataset on the tidal flats of the Dutch Wadden Sea available, providing valuable insights into biodiversity and ecosystem changes. The SIBES project has collected data since 2008, revealing shifts in benthic animal species due to climate change.
A deadly ciliate parasite has decimated sea urchin populations in the Caribbean, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean, with mortality rates reaching over 90%. The International team of researchers is working to track the disease and preserve sea urchins, which play a crucial role in maintaining coral reef health.
A new study projects global sea-level rise between 0.5 and 1.9 meters by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario, with the very likely range being 90% probability for the event to occur. The fusion approach combines strengths of existing models with expert opinions, offering a clearer picture of future sea-level rise.
A 500,000-year fossil record study by HKU paleobiologists sheds light on temperature changes and food input shaping deep-sea ecosystems in the Southern Ocean. The research warns that human-induced warming may harm delicate deep-sea ecosystems with potential impacts of marine carbon removal.
Researchers at the University of Washington used a global climate model to simulate how ocean and air temperatures affect sea ice in the Southern Ocean. They found that warm Southern Ocean conditions and patterns in winds can explain 70% of the record-low winter sea ice extent in 2023, with similar predictions made for 2024.
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.
Sedimentary organic carbon distribution varies by region in eastern China seas, with higher concentrations in mud areas. Organic carbon burial fluxes are calculated to be 8.20 Mt C a⁻¹, accounting for 5.3% of global seabed burial flux.
Researchers discovered that sea robins' legs are covered in sensory papillae with taste receptors, allowing them to detect and uncover food. The findings reveal an ancient gene controlling leg development and sensory organ formation, shedding light on the evolution of complex traits in wild organisms.
Research reveals that crude oil pollution dramatically reduces sea otter fur buoyancy, placing newborn pups at risk due to their larger surface area relative to body mass. After cleaning, the buoyancy of the fur improves but not fully recovers, highlighting the need for thorough detergent rinsing.
New research using satellite technology tracks the movement of albatrosses and petrels, finding that they use sea ice-affected parts of the ocean for feeding and scavenging. The study suggests that Antarctica's shrinking sea ice could force seabirds to travel further or alter their food patterns, affecting ecosystems.
A new mathematical theory offers insights into how heat travels through sea ice, which affects global climate predictions. The study provides a way to relate sea ice's thermal properties to its temperature and salt content, allowing for more accurate climate models.
Scientists equipped Australian sea lions with cameras and analyzed the footage to identify six benthic habitats in southern Australia. The study used machine learning models to predict large habitat areas across the continental shelf, contributing to a better understanding of the region's seabed diversity.
Scientists have developed a state-of-the-art computational model predicting land, ice and global sea-level interactions. The model estimates that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could slow melting Antarctic ice enough to allow Earth uplift to partially stabilize the ice sheet and prevent some future sea-level rise.
A new study suggests that the rising earth in Antarctica will impact future sea level rise, depending on how much global warming is controlled. If humans lower greenhouse gas emissions, upward shifts in solid earth could reduce Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise by about 40%, bolstering best-case scenarios for global sea level...
A McGill-led study finds that swift action to lower emissions could prevent some of the most destructive impacts of climate change, particularly for coastal communities. The research suggests that reducing carbon emissions could reduce Antarctica's contribution to sea-level rise by up to 40%.
A new reconstruction of past Arctic sea ice coverage shows surprisingly low levels in the 1940s, a period characterized by strong warming, before the 1950s. This finding suggests that anthropogenic forcing played a significant role in shaping climate variability during this time.
Researchers found that sea ice's cooling power decreased by about twice as much as the decrease in annual average sea ice area since 1980. The Arctic has seen the largest declines in sea ice cooling power, while the Antarctic's cooling power has also weakened since 2016.
Researchers found that microplastics increase the height and stability of sea foam, particularly when part of smaller breaking waves. This positive effect reflects sunlight, potentially lowering ocean temperatures and driving more cloud formation.
Researchers found 8% of sold sea cucumbers as threatened brown species, linked to overharvesting. Genetic analysis suggests widespread availability poses a threat to biodiversity loss in NYC Chinatowns.
The Aral Sea, once the fourth-largest lake in the world, has shrunk to 10% of its original volume due to water diversion for cotton plantations. The article proposes a new design approach that acknowledges human devastation while slowing the sea's disappearance through ecological markers and materials.
A deadly epidemic discovered last year in the Red Sea has spread to the Indian Ocean, annihilating most sea urchin populations and threatening coral reef stability. The researchers identified a scuticociliate parasite as the cause of the mass mortality.
A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that a surge in purple sea urchins is devastating kelp forests, reducing zooplankton populations and impacting the primary prey of gray whales. This cascading effect affects the top predator, causing them to spend less time foraging in the affected area.
A recent study using large climate models found that record-breaking low Antarctic sea ice in 2023 was extremely unlikely without climate change. The research suggests strong climate change made the event four times more likely, with implications for local and global weather patterns.
A study found that tool use among sea otters allows access to larger prey, reducing tooth damage. Female otters, which are more likely to use tools, can consume prey up to 35% harder than males.
Using tools improves energy intake and reduces tooth damage in sea otters by allowing access to harder prey. Female sea otters, with smaller body size and weaker biting strength, particularly benefit from tool use, increasing their foraging success.
Researchers evaluated the health of accidentally caught sea turtles using ultrasound imaging to monitor gas levels in their organs. Veterinarians found that ultrasound brightness could be used to differentiate gas levels over time, helping them predict treatment outcomes for bycaught sea turtles.
A new study by scientists affiliated with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that human activities account for a substantial amount of toxic thallium in the Baltic Sea. The research suggests that the amount of thallium could increase due to further anthropogenic or natural activities, posing a concern for marine life.
Research reveals giant otters are more nocturnal around their dens than sympatric neotropical otters, showcasing their complex carnivore coexistence. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding these interactions in the Amazonian ecosystem.
A microscopic pathogen found in the Caribbean is causing a devastating die-off of long-spined sea urchin populations and threatening coral reefs worldwide. The USF study reveals the same parasite, identified last year, has spread to new species in the Sea of Oman, putting global sea urchin populations at risk.
Researchers used a Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) neural network to predict Antarctic sea ice conditions. The prediction results showed a remarkably close alignment with recent satellite observations, confirming the reliability of the forecasting system and its potential for reliable Antarctic sea ice forecasting.
Researchers at OIST found that anemonefish can identify specific lineages of giant sea anemones, revealing two cryptic species within the bubble-tip sea anemone. The study provides new insights into marine biodiversity and highlights the remarkable abilities of these fish in distinguishing between different sea anemone groups.
A deep learning model predicts Antarctic sea ice will remain near historical lows in 2024, with a slight increase in extent compared to the record low in 2023. The model accurately reproduced three historical summer lows and showed promise for seasonal prediction of Antarctic sea ice.
The reintroduction of sea otters to their former habitat in Central California's Elkhorn Slough has slowed erosion of creekbanks and marsh edges by up to 90%. The study, published in Nature, highlights the benefits of conservation efforts and suggests a promising tool for stabilizing ecosystems worldwide.
A study reveals that sea otter reintroduction has slowed creekbank erosion by up to 90% and restored marsh stability despite rising sea levels and pollution. The researchers suggest that this phenomenon can have far-reaching benefits for ecosystems worldwide, overturning the traditional bottom-up paradigm of coastal geomorphology.
Sea otter recovery has buffered century-scale declines in California kelp forests, according to a new study. The research suggests that sea otters may be key drivers of changes in the ecosystem.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports predicts that EU and UK economies will suffer significant economic losses, with the majority concentrated in coastal regions. Targeted investment in certain sectors is expected to reduce regional losses, but overall economic impact remains substantial.
A new study by Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers found that sea otter population growth during the last century enhanced kelp forest resilience in California, increasing coverage by 56% along the central coast. However, kelp forests declined dramatically in northern and southern regions due to climate change.
New study reveals that kelp forests off the Pacific Coast were thriving 32 million years ago, with fossilized holdfasts showing evidence of ancient marine mammals and invertebrates. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of kelp ecosystems and highlights the importance of fossil hunting by amateur collectors.
Researchers tracked 87 Adélie penguins using electronic tags, revealing how they interact with sea ice during their long-distance migrations. The study highlights the interconnectedness of species in the Southern Ocean and how climate change may impact Adélie penguin populations.
A team of scientists sequenced the full genome of a sea cucumber collected at a hydrothermal vent, revealing expanded gene families involved in DNA repair and iron metabolism. The research provides valuable insights into the unique adaptations of marine animals to survive in extreme environments.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports suggests that rising global temperatures could lead to an expansion of the green turtle's nesting range in the Mediterranean Sea. The authors found that sea surface temperature, salinity, and human population density most affect the suitability of a location as a nesting site.
Researchers at Kiel University modelled various storm surge and sea level rise scenarios to assess the effectiveness of dike lines and managed realignment. They found that current defence lines are insufficient to withstand sea level rise, but managed realignment could provide greater protection when combined with raising existing dikes.
Researchers have improved the accuracy of past Antarctic ice sheet melt predictions, providing a more realistic forecast of future sea level rise. The new model suggests a contribution of 9.8 meters from the Antarctic ice sheet, reducing previous estimates of 20-52cm by 2100.
Researchers found that reduced sea ice in West Antarctica leads to increased moisture in the atmosphere, resulting in heavier snowfalls on the ice sheet. While this adds to sea levels, it may slow their rise slightly, emphasizing the need for refined climate models to predict future changes.
A study by Griffith University found that pollution can compound the female-biasing influence of rising global temperatures on sea turtles. The research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, discovered that exposure to heavy metals and organic contaminants can feminize green sea turtle embryos.
Researchers have discovered a potential bottleneck in Adélie penguins' annual cycle, which could be exacerbated as the climate continues to change. The study found that seasonal Antarctic sea ice plays a crucial role in the penguins' molting periods, with low sea ice concentration signaling extended gaps in post-breeding diving activity.
Researchers found gene signatures associated with head development in juvenile sea stars, but expression of torso and tail genes were largely missing. The study suggests that over evolutionary time, sea stars lost their bodies to become only heads.
Researchers found that Singapore's coasts were resilient during high sea-level rise rates due to high sedimentation rates. This study provides new insights into the interplay between rising sea levels and sedimentation.
Scientists have observed wolves directly hunting and consuming sea otters and harbor seals in Alaska's Katmai National Park. This new evidence challenges previous assumptions about wolf behavior and diet. The study highlights the unique role of wolves in nearshore ecosystems in Alaska.
A new study led by FSU professor Mariana Fuentes found that shifting nesting timing may not be enough to counteract the impacts of climate change on sea turtle hatchlings. Warmer temperatures cause lower hatchling success and disrupt female turtle viability, threatening species viability.
New research suggests that meltwater flowing out to sea from beneath Antarctic glaciers is accelerating their retreat and contributing to global sea-level rise. The study's simulations indicate that this process could make a significant contribution to sea-level rise by 2300, potentially up to 15%.
Research reveals Eurasian otters in Hong Kong were once more widespread and common, but have declined drastically since the 1930s due to lowland wetlands destruction. The species' critical habitat, Deep Bay wetlands, is under threat from government-led mega development plans.
The expedition aims to study the geological system and evolution of hydrothermal ecosystems in the Red Sea. The team will use modern seafloor observation systems and instruments like the ROV Kiel 6000 to locate and map hydrothermal habitats.
Researchers found that mature mangroves can tolerate high rates of subsidence and sea level rise, but sediment availability is crucial for their effectiveness. In areas with insufficient sediment, mangroves' ability to stabilize coastlines will deteriorate, leading to inland migration of communities.